Question

What is the correct thing to do with stone crabs?

Answer 1

The link, rather the law, provided by the other responder sure is crazy. Common sense says take one claw max! Allow the crab to defend and feed itself for gosh sakes. AND it should be NO claws from females, only males. Easy enough to determine sex. - I was with a small Cousteau crew in Panama City, Florida in 1974 when we boarded two stone crab fishing boats and filmed them for a couple days. (It never made it to television.) - I write about it in my book Frogmen. I was astonished that the fishermen took both claws from both sexes, tossing the torso back in the water. Ignorant! And while we were filming them too.

Comments

You are right on, the claws are were the good meat is located. But if your are really smart person take the one claw and you may help some one else gather some crab meat too.

Answer 2

Do you mean when harvesting Stone Crab? I think you are allowed to take their big claw and throw it back, as the claw will regrow, but i'm not 100% on the rules.

Edit: Looks like you can take both claws, but then the poor thing can't really defend itself... If i harvested stone crab, i'd leave a claw... here are the rules i found for Florida: http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/stone-crabs/

Comments

Your right by taking only one claw. It will grow back, they are nice and big here in Texas.

Answer 3

I've always hooked it on the head, they say the "meaty part" .. when I used live crabs the last time I caught a 60lb black drum..

Answer 4

Snap a claws and let live to regrow