I do a lot of wade fishing around the rockport area, and have a question about crabs. I have never been crabbing, and my wife and sister in law love crab. I was wondering how you guys think it would work to throw a crab trap out while I was wade fishing? And if so should I throw it near grass or on hard surface? I've never seen or heard of anyone doing this so my first inclination is that it must not work, but I thought it might be worth asking about.

You'd do better to use either a drop crab net or single crab line with a chicken neck/back. Crab traps, especially only 1, usually will take quite a while to catch enough crabs for one to enjoy. Doesn't make any difference what bottom you're crabbing on and it helps if you're close to a marsh outlet with a moving tide. Crabs will move in an out of the marsh just the same as fish following the bait.

Good luck!

Thanks alot, If I actually have to fish for the crabs, I'd rather spend my time fishing for trout and reds.

Just out of curiosity how long do people usually let crab traps soak?

Usually the bait in the morning and then check first thing the following morning. This gives crabs at least 2-3 tide changes if not 4.

If where you have them set and the crabs are thick in that area, you should catch at least a dozen or more.

This may seem like a dumb question, but has anyone ever tried to catch crab using a cast net?or would this even be possible?

Not likely unless you can see them on the bottom and it being shallow. Otherwise, you'll be blind casting.

I've got a question about cleaning them. Last year we caught a couple at Galveston and boiled them so the kids could taste them, but the kids couldn't get over the mustard stuff inside. What is the best way to fix the ones you catch? We are going back next week and may try to catch some more.

Yup...the mustard stuff has definitely kept me away too, kinda like the oreo stuffing running up the back of a shrimp - just can't seem to get past it. :p

What you are seeing aka "mustard stuff" or crab butter is the fat and intestinal tract of the crabs. All you have to do is wash it out or you can clean them alive and remove it before steaming/boiling and then fry,grill, barbeque, etc. and you'll not have this in the crab.

It's very similar to the "tamale" (sp.) in lobsters and it is used to make sauces and can be very expensive in upper scale restraurants.

On shrimp, it's the digestive tract and that's why folks usually de-vein shrimp, crawfish and lobster because it's their waste.

I've seen lots of folks eat shrimp without de-veining them and they don't seem to care...but I always do when I'm serving shrimp, crawfish, crab or lobster!

It's no different than cleaning the intestines out of fish. No big deal...

I thought that was gravy????

RayburnR - bud, what kind of gravy do you fix? If we ever meet and invite me to some "gravy", please remind me whether or not it came from crabs!!!

RayburnR - Since you live in Sam Rayburn, would you happen to know the family that has the Catalpa tree orchard and sells both worms and catalpa worm soap? I bought some from them when I lived in Jasper almost 8 years ago and they lived out in Sam Rayburn. Just can't seem to remember where they lived or their names. They used to advertise in the Peddler.

Any suggestions?

Chris