Nothing ruins a crab feast faster than discovering you've cooked dead crabs. Beyond the disappointment of mushy, flavorless meat, eating crabs that died before cooking poses serious health risks that every crabber must understand. Quick Answer: Dead blue crabs display unmistakable signs - their bodies hang limp when lifted, mouths remain open, and legs show […]

Whether you've just caught a bushel of blue crabs or bought fresh ones from the dock, knowing how long you can keep crabs on ice is crucial for both safety and flavor. The clock starts ticking the moment your crabs leave the water, and improper storage can turn your fresh catch into a health hazard […]

There's nothing quite like the excitement of feeling that first gentle tug on your hand line, knowing a crab has taken your bait. Hand line crabbing is the simplest and most interactive way to catch blue crabs, requiring just a piece of string, some chicken, and a dip net. This traditional method has been passed […]

You crack open a steamed female crab, ready to dig into the sweet meat, when suddenly you spot bright orange blobs lining the shell. Your first thought might be concern - is the crab spoiled? Rest assured, you've just discovered one of the ocean's most prized delicacies. That vibrant orange stuff inside a crab is […]

You're standing at the seafood counter watching Dungeness crab sell for $25 per pound, knowing these delicious crustaceans are crawling along the ocean floor just miles away. For the price of two pounds of crab, you could own a quality trap and feast on fresh Dungeness all season long. But with hundreds of crab traps […]

I'll never forget the heartbreak of opening my refrigerator to find a half-bushel of dead blue crabs after my first crabbing trip. Like many beginners, I thought the fridge was the perfect storage solution. I was wrong. Yes, you can refrigerate live blue crabs, but they'll only survive 1-2 days under very specific conditions. Most […]

Have you ever watched a dull gray lobster transform into a vibrant red masterpiece in boiling water? This dramatic color change isn't magic—it's pure chemistry. The transformation happens because heat breaks down a protein called crustacyanin, releasing the naturally red pigment astaxanthin that was hidden all along. This fascinating phenomenon affects all crustaceans and involves […]

Whether you're a seasoned crabber or planning your first Gulf Coast adventure, understanding Texas blue crab laws is essential for a successful and legal crabbing experience. Texas allows year-round blue crab harvesting with specific size requirements (5" minimum), licensing obligations, and gear restrictions that every crabber must follow. This comprehensive guide will walk you through […]

You've just returned from a successful crabbing trip with a cooler full of live crabs, but you can't possibly eat them all today. Your first instinct might be to toss them in the freezer—stop right there! Freezing live crabs is not only ineffective but potentially dangerous to your health. The direct answer is no, you […]

You've just enjoyed a delicious crab feast, but now you're staring at leftovers wondering if they'll still be safe tomorrow. Or perhaps you bought fresh crabs but can't cook them immediately. Understanding proper crab storage times is crucial for both food safety and preserving that sweet, delicate flavor. Here's the quick answer: Live crabs last […]