Keeping Blueclaws Alive...

[Duffman]

Have a couple of family crabbing trips planned this week and hopefully they pay off with some keepers.

Wont be heading out until late and getting back late. Need to keep the crabs alive overnight before cooking/cleaning the next day.

How to? Thanks.

[skate king]

Make sure they are iced down. They will stay alive and well for a day or two

[courbeco]

Layer them with seaweed, cover and place the entire basket in fridge (If possible), they'll last for days. I had an old fridge and removed a few of the shelves to accomplish this. Let us know how you do crabbing.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Yep keeping them cold is the key.... In a fridge or in a cooler with ice but keep them out of the melted ice water so leave the cooler drain open if you go the cooler route.

A word of warning, they will be very lethargic like they are dead but they'll be fine.

[joerosa1]

In the refrigerator in one of the bottom drawers covered in damp newspaper or paper towels. Damp not soaking wet.

Oh yea don't forget to tell the family there are crabs in the bottom drawer of the frig

[Cuz]

If you want to check to see if the crab is alive, pull down its mouth. If it retracts the crab is still alive. If it stays in a drop down position, it's dead. I have eaten crabs that died on ice with-in a couple of hours and they were fine.

[Hunter 2]

Dan, feel free to store them in the water at my slip in a trap or cage if that helps.

[Duffman]

Thanks for the offer Eddie and all the info boys!

Will be out Wed afternoon. Hopefully this rain doesnt put them off. Will report back.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Duffman

Thanks for the offer Eddie and all the info boys!

Will be out Wed afternoon. Hopefully this rain doesnt put them off. Will report back.

Good luck. They were there last Friday.

[Capt. Debbie]

Refrig they die lack of Oxygen.

Chill them on ice and make sure it drains away. They can NOT be submersed. And need air. Do not close cooler top.