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How to Find a Stone Crab

Stone crabs can be found off of the coasts of Florida, Texas, down through Central America, Cuba and the Bahamas as well as in the western North Atlantic. Stone crabs are five to six inches wide and brownish red with grey spots on the bottom with an unmistakable black-tipped claw. Claws generally are the sought after meat of the stone crab which can be caught without actually catching the crab itself. The crab releases its claw when disturbed. The claw will grow back over time. This creates an endless supply of stone crab claws because the crab remains living.

Things You'll Need

Snorkel
Goggles
Fresh bait
Stick

Instructions

- 1
  Find a rock jetty, grass flat or oyster reef at the shore of the ocean in a region where stone crabs live during harvest season, between October 15 and May 15.
- 2
  Spear or attach a small piece of fresh bait, such as fish, oyster, clam or conch to the end of the stick.
- 3
  Put on your goggles and snorkel and walk or swim to the rocks or high grass. Adult stone crabs can be found hiding between rocks, or burrowed in the mud below seagrass waiting for prey.
- 4
  Put the bait near the rocks or seagrass bed and move it around slowly and naturally to attract the stone crab.
- 5
  Stone crabs will reach out and crawl out to eat the bait. Lure them out by moving the bait towards you as soon as you see their red- and black-tipped claw. Keep an eye out for the reaching claw that will snatch the bait.

Animals & Science