Stone crabs

[DennisS]

I just bought my first stone crab claws of the season, ouch, they've gone up in price faster than gasoline and real estate.

I have a few questions about diving for them on the west cost of FL. I've never hunted them.

Can you beach dive for them?

Are they scarce but out there, like lobster on the east coast?

What's their preferred habitat. Mud, rocks, etc

Where's the best place to find them (not your secret spot), somewhere between Chocaloskee and Tampa. I need to narrow it down, I'm thinking of spending a weekend camping and chasing stone crabs.

Any hints on successful hunting?

 

[cudachaser]

They like rocks and pilings...

 

[steve70638]

Yeah...they have really zoomed up in price this year, does anyone have any idea why?

 

[Packhorse]

Yeah...they have really zoomed up in price this year, does anyone have any idea why?

1st law of economics. Supply and demand

 

[Matteo]

guess I'm lucky to be able to buy them fresh off the boat @ $8.50 per lb....the price never changes

 

[the gooch]

More info needed.... I would love to grab some stone claws in line with my bugs. Where do these guys hide out and do I need another license?

 

[KeyLargoBrent]

I believe that five Stone Crap traps per person are allowed to persons holding Recreational Florida Saltwater Fishing Licenses. Trapping is the usual, and most effective, method for harvesting Stone Crab claws. Good luck!

 

[AstroDad]

The legal limit is 5 traps per, but, I've never seen a diver use a trap. Too much hassle. I use my bug gloves. Yes, you can beach dive them - the pilings out by the Skyway Bridge is a good area to go hunting stone crabs. Hints on success? Make SURE you have your salt water fishing license, and that you DO NOT take any undersized claws. The folks in the uniforms will nail you otherwise. Also note that there is a 1 gallon limit for individuals.

All the rules and regs here. Make sure you read this on how to measure the claw size.

 

[CBulla]

Matt - who where? Thats cheaper than me running a few of my own... I've been pondering setting up 70 or so stonie traps and running a small commercial op again when I saw prices at the Beach Seafood Market on Main St Thursday night. $28 a pound! Wooooooooooooo!

Why is it high? I talked briefly to one of the fellas wheeling in a few baskets of claws. Not as many crabs in traps this year. Cool thing is I don't see traps where I used to run mine, so that area has had... oh... a 12 year break.

BTW - diving for crab is cool, but watch those claws. If it grabs you, be prepared for possible crushed bones. These guys have insane crush power!

 

[TerryInFlorida]

We used to just go to a rocky shore and flip the rocks over to find them at low tide... It isn't an insane amount of claws but usually enough to enjoy at dinner... Always stick by the regs for sure, cheating isn't worth the fines...