Well, if you’re thinkin’ about goin’ crabbing down here in North Carolina, I reckon you better pay close attention to the rules and regulations. Now, don’t get me wrong, we all love a good batch of blue crabs, but you gotta follow the law if you want to make sure you ain’t gettin’ into any trouble. So, let me walk ya through some of these here rules, nice and simple, so even a country gal like me can understand ’em!
Crab Pots – How Many You Can Use
First thing you need to know is how many crab pots you can use. In North Carolina, you ain’t allowed to set out more than five crab pots, whether you’re using a boat or not. Now, those pots, they gotta be marked. You can’t just throw ’em out there and forget about it. Each pot needs to have a bright pink buoy tied to it with a line that won’t float away. That buoy’s gotta have the owner’s name on it – either carved right into the buoy or on a tag that’s attached to it. That way, if someone finds your pot, they can tell who owns it. Simple, right?
Size of Crabs – Don’t Take the Little Ones
Now, there’s another rule about the size of the crabs you can keep. You can’t take no crabs that ain’t big enough. The law says that blue crabs need to be at least 5 inches wide across the spikes on their shells. And, if you catch any crabs that are too small or are males and immature females, you gotta let ‘em go. It’s illegal to keep those. And don’t even think about keepin’ more than 10% of your catch under that size. If you do, you’ll be in a heap of trouble. So, make sure you’re measurin’ those crabs before you toss ’em in your bucket.
The Best Time for Crabbing
Now, I been crabbing a long time, and one thing I know is that the best time to go crabbing is right around the change of the tide. It’s like the crabs know what’s comin’, and they start movin’ around more. So, you want to be out there either an hour before or an hour after the tide switches. That’s when they’re the most active, and you’ll have the best chance of fillin’ your pot.
What You Can Use to Catch Crabs
As for how you catch ’em, there’s a few ways folks do it here in NC. The most common way is with crab pots, but you can also use trawls, hand lines, or dip nets. If you’re just out there for fun, you don’t need no fancy license to go crabbing. It’s open for everyone to enjoy. But you still gotta follow the size and catch limits, that’s for sure. You can’t use no crazy devices like gigs, spears, or hooks to poke or hurt the crabs either. That’s illegal, and it can hurt the crab populations, so don’t do it!
Where to Go Crabbing
Crabbing’s allowed in coastal and joint waters here in North Carolina. That means you can pretty much go crabbing anywhere along the coast or in the joint waters where the state lines meet. But make sure you’re aware of local rules too, as some areas might have special restrictions. Always double-check with the local authorities before you head out.
Returning the Little Crabs
If you do happen to catch a little crab, you gotta throw it back in the water. Don’t just leave it floppin’ on the shore. You’re supposed to gently return any crabs that don’t meet the size limit back to the waters where you found ‘em. That helps keep the population healthy for future seasons. It’s important, and it’s the law. No exceptions!
Season and Times for Crabbing
The crabbing season here runs mostly through the warm months, but it ain’t always the same every year. You’ll want to check with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries for the exact season dates and rules, as they can change from year to year. But generally, you’ll have the best luck crabbing when the water’s warm and the crabs are movin’ around more.
Summing It All Up
To wrap it up, crabbing in North Carolina can be a great way to spend some time by the water and catch yourself a good meal. But you gotta follow the rules, folks. Make sure your crab pots are marked, you only keep crabs that are the right size, and always check the tide for the best crabbing times. And remember, if you catch any little ones, throw ’em back in the water where they belong. If we all do our part, we can keep the crab population healthy and strong for years to come!
Tags：[North Carolina crabbing, crabbing rules, blue crab regulations, crabbing season NC, crab pot requirements, crabbing tips, recreational crabbing, coastal crabbing, crabbing in NC]
