Hobbies And Interests
Fishing License
Consult your local fish and game department to see if you need a license to catch crab in your area. There may be other restrictions, such as type of crab and size of crab, that you must adhere to. Your local fish and game department will be able to provide you with the specific information for your region.
Crab Trap
You are going to need a crab trap to catch crabs. The quality and types of traps vary, but they are generally a net or metal material that lies flat when it is deployed on the ocean floor. Bait is placed in the center of the traps, and crabs are drawn to the bait to feed. When the trap is pulled up, a cage is created, and the crabs cannot escape as they are pulled from the surface.
Bait
Unless you happen upon some unlucky or suicidal crabs, you probably won't catch any without bait. The good news is that it doesn't particularly matter what type of bait you use--if it's meat, they'll eat. Pick up some cheap chicken necks or spines, or save a carcass from your next rotisserie chicken and throw it in your crab net. Another option is checking the fish cleaning areas at public fishing piers for the heads or innards of fish. Just make sure it's meat.
Rope
You got your crab trap ready to go, fully of the nastiest, foulest, cheapest meat you can find. You've found a pier, and your ready to go crabbing. Well, don't throw that net into the water just yet. Unless you've got a rope tied to the end, you're going to be out a chicken carcass and about 30 bucks. Pick up 30 to 50 feet of rope and tie one end to your crab trap. Tie the other end on the dock or location where you are crabbing. Every 15 minutes or so, pull the trap to where it is fully visible to see if you caught any crabs.