One of the sacrifices I thought I would make when I moved to Punta Gorda nearly 16 years ago was that of eating Maryland steamed crabs. Anyone that has spent much time in Maryland realize that steamed blue claw crabs is an industry and lifestyle and eating crabs is a way of life. Little did I know that Charlotte Harbor is chock full of large and extra large blue claw crabs! Many of us in Maryland grew up crabbing from a row boat, with handlines off the side and someone dipping them once pulled in very carefully.
When I first moved here you could not find Old Bay Seasoning or a steam pot. I quickly discovered that local crabbers had a good thing going and were making a living shipping crabs to Maryland and the general Del-Mar-Va area. Crabs here are super plentiful and easy to catch! Amazingly, almost no one local crabs other than the commercial guys. Local Floridians do not get it and I hope they never do. I have the harbor all to myself for crabbing and normally get all I can eat very close to home.
Each person is allowed to have 5 crab pots, of the commercial type in the water. The crabs taste the same and are actually larger than Chesapeake Bay crabs. I cooked up a batch of crabs the other day and I would categorize them as jumbo’s which would sell for close to $100 per dozen at times in Maryland. Crabbing is easy, bait the crab pot with locally caught ladyfish that are really easy to catch or put in chicken for bait. Put the traps out in the harbor or off your dock. There are some differences in the crab traps that make a world of difference in how many crabs you catch. I will be happy to help you be a top crabber when the time comes.
I used to crab in many places on the Chesapeake and its tributaries including the Severn River near the sailing area of Annapolis. Now, its right in my backyard. You can also shrimp in the harbor which requires more gear and is done at night. They are super delicious! I find it much easier to buy fresh shrimp from a local shrimper.
