Crabbing at Edisto Island

We%26#39;re going to Edisto Island for the first time in August and have read a little about crabbing. Tell me how.

Crabbing at Edisto Island

No need for expensive crabbing gear; a simple crab line, a net, and the ';grossest'; chicken parts (necks, backs, etc.) you can get. Oh, and a big bucket to put your catch in.

Here are things that have worked well for my kids: crab when the tide is in or coming in. Catch and release any crab that is less than 4 inches point to point. There are some other game and fish rules; google and you%26#39;ll find them.

I%26#39;m sure some real outdoors people have even better hints and suggestions;-)

Crabbing at Edisto Island

I use about a 2'; piece of turkey neck (easier to thread thru the line) on a crab line which looks like a huge safety pin. Be SURE it is tied on to the line the first time. Tie it to the dock and throw it out into the water...wait and check it occasionally until one pulls back when you gently pull on it. When it does...easily pull it in slowly...until you start to get it to the top but before he sees you then carefully slide the net into the water and bring it up under him until he is in the net. Reuse your turkey neck/line for the next one. The previous poster was correct that you catch them when the tide is coming in. When it starts to go out just go home.

You have to have a salt water fishing license. The size changes but the last time I checked, it was 6'; from tip to tip. You cannot keep any that have an orange ';sponge'; because that is the eggs for the babies. The males have a T on the bottom of the shell and the females have a combon each side of the underside. Watch out for the claws!!! They go to sleep when you put them on ice but wake up when they get warm again.

Thanks SCBlossom. I%26#39;ve never crabbed before. Do you buy this crab line already made up? How long a line is usually apt?

When I first read your post, I thought you were making fun of me cause I had just posted a question on the Edisto Forum about where on the island to go crabbing. ;-)

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Anyway, as far as how long the line is, I%26#39;d say about 15-20 feet. You don%26#39;t want your bait to go too far in the water, because most of the crabs are closer to the bank.

Make sure you use nasty, ';been sittin%26#39; in the sun for a while'; chicken/turkey meat. These are crabs, and they like to eat nasty stuff; plus, the oils from the meat will permeate the water better.

I don%26#39;t remember if it was mentioned previously, but make sure you put some weight on the string near the meat - like fishing weights or a big bolt or some washers. You don%26#39;t want your bait to be up in the water but you want it to be sitting on the bottom.

Make sure you have a long (6%26#39; or so) poled net and a bucket!

I can%26#39;t wait to go crabbing on Edisto in two weeks. I haven%26#39;t been since last year. It is a very enjoyable, relaxing and yet exhilarating adventure.

You can buy crab lines that have the pin, weight and string for a dollar or less at most fishing supply places including wonderful Walmart. Just be sure the string is tied to the pin - most are not when you buy them.

I put my crabs on ice when I catch them. Keep them separate from your canned drinks. Their claws are no match for canned drinks and they will punch holes in the cans! You will open up the ice chest and there is fizz going everywhere!!!

';I don%26#39;t remember if it was mentioned previously, but make sure you put some weight on the string near the meat - like fishing weights or a big bolt or some washers. You don%26#39;t want your bait to be up in the water but you want it to be sitting on the bottom. ';

So so true. When we were on Edisto Island (which is a very pleasant place to stay, btw) we met an elderly couple on a boatdock, the wife was crabbing without weights on the string and the gulls were eating all the chicken. LOL

We will be coming to the area tomorrow. I would love to know where some good spots are for crabbing. We have done it before but not in this area.

You can email me at megensmom@pbtcomm.net

We found a pretty good spot to crab that is not crowded. When you are coming towards the beach, there will be a True Value hardware store on your right (about 1-2 miles before the %26#39;beach%26#39;). Take the very next street on your right (I think it may be Palmetto something-or-other). Go about 2 miles and you%26#39;ll see a sign for a boat landing just before a curve to the right. Take that dirt road (it%26#39;s on the left) and it will take you to a landing that has a very nice dock, and the bank is hard enough to walk on if it%26#39;s not under water.

We only got two, but I think the tide was not in our favor.

Good luck!

Thanks so much. We will be returning this weekend as well. Finding a Hotel close has been quite the challenge so we are going to stay up close to Folly Beach and try out some areas there as well.

We are also going to try our hand at catching some shrimp as we got a few really nice ones Sunday.

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