Crabbing report and help

[John D.]

Took my 8yr old to crabbing rental in Red Bank after our fluke charter was canceled. Got a bushel in 5 hrs using just 5 drop lines with bunker.

Have to admit, love catching and hate cleaning crabs. Usually just boil them and begin the process of cleaning after. The place I went to offered to clean them live so I came home with cleaned crab on the shell. Don’t feel like cooking them tonite (mentioned catching is more fun than the rest lol although I do like eating them)

I have the cleaned crabs sitting in a bag in the fridge and plan to cook them tomorrow. I am assuming this is ok? And any suggestions for how to eat them appreciated. Thanks.

[Blind Archer]

With them cleaned already, you'll want to steam them. Don't boil them as whole. Serve with melted butter and or Old Bay seasoning.

[Blind Archer]

Hope you left some there. Think I'm taking the grandkids tomorrow.

[John D.]

Bite was off today as hwy 35 bridge is the spot (it’s crabs so spot kills don’t apply) but East blow made it tough. They have been doing very well in red bank.

Dumb question. Never steamed before and don’t think have a steaming pot. Is there a steaming pot? Can someone teach a newbie crab steamer here? Thx

[Blind Archer]

I use a big pot with a cover and I make a " basket" out of a couple of layers of aluminum foil. Make it as deep as you can and perforate it numerous times with a large fork(2 prong). Keep the basket bottom above the water. Steam them til they are all red. How many you put in will determine how long. Usually around 8 minutes. Thanks for the info
There's not going to be too many places to get out of the wind tomorrow.

[John D.]

Thanks. If the East is blowing you won’t be able to fish the hwy 35 bridge but the train bridge and areas left to the marina will be fine and still hold crabs. Entire area is full of them.

Btw, place opens at 7am. Be prepared to get there by 5:30am. I am not kidding. Good luck

[Gerry Zagorski]

Here's my go to.... You need something in the bottom of your steam pot to keep the crabs from sitting in the beer..

Pour and can or 2 of beer into the pot. Put a layer of crabs in and season with yellow mustard and Old Bay.... Another layer and repeat seasoning, another layer etc.

Steam for 20 - 30 mins. 20 mins for fewer crabs, 30 mins more crabs.

Enjoy John!

[Rocky]

I clean my crabs before steaming, I have a steaming pot with a strainer pot that fits inside. The crabs do not touch the water. Cleaned crabs should be steamed and not sit in any water or they will turn to mush. I put water, beer, apple cider vinegar, and JO seasoning in the bottom of the pot and bring to a boil. The cleaned crabs get sprinkled with a heavy dose of JO seasoning and stacked in the steamer pot. With the pot steaming well the crabs go in and the lid goes on. I will set the cooking timer to 20-25 minutes. Good luck and enjoy.

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[Rocky]

Picking crab meat for recipes isn't much fun, but the rewards are well worth it.
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[John D.]

Thanks everyone!

[LotsobitesBB]

Here is how my buddy and I eat them.
Flip crab upside down, hold with tongs and chop in half with a cleaver (big bertha). Shake over garbage to get most of guts out. remove top shell and lungs. Rinse/Hose off remaining guts from 1/2 of crab. You are all set to cook, no mess to play with while eating, just meat & shell. They last a few days in the fridge as such. I got a dozen on a quick trip by the Red Bank Marina last night after work with the kids on Kayaks, they had a blast (4th trip this year).

Cooking: In a pot brown some chopped garlic with olive oil. put in about 12-15 pieces (1/2 a crab is a piece). add bread crumb and old bay. Stir around in pot until done. Open a beer, put on an old shirt and go at it. Making last nights catch in a little while.