Re: Different fishing
 

Snoozer :D ...reckon how those critters feed themselves w/ both claws missin'...thanks for the correction ;) ...

Re: Different fishing
 

Well, I've never watched them.
They do have a bunch of legs left you know. I have wondered about it, but the ones with no claws keep climbing back in the traps so they must manage OK. The taking of both claws started a few years ago. Stone crabs bring a big bunch of money to south Florida and I doubt the state would let anything happen to the resorce if they could prevent it. They are looking for a good harvest this year being that hurricanes left us alone.

The claws get cliped at the first joint, if you break or tear the claw off you risk killing the crab as they bleed. The claws pop when they come off; it seems to be an escape mechanism, like a lizzard's tail coming off.

Re: Different fishing
 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/...one/bigboy.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/...ossalclaws.jpg

Re: Different fishing
 

Nice crabs. Can you anly take the claws or can you keep the whole crab?

Re: Different fishing
 

Wow thats a nice crab! Good info too!

Thanks snoozer! About the both claw-thing, I took what I read online with a grain of salt.

Question: do they draw blood if they pinch you? I'm assuming yes since I've had blood drawn by much much smaller blue crabs. :D

Re: Different fishing
 

Snoozer...you just havin' too much fun down there... ;D ... 8)...

Re: Different fishing
 

Yep, fun with a profit.

Just keep the claws.

Yes they draw blood, they will break a finger bone if the handler is not quick enough.

We had a black grouper in the first trap yesterday that was two inches too short. It is a sight to see the ruckus a fish will put up if he does not have to fight the line, and is not dead tired when he comes over the rail.