The Tampa Bay Times
Divers are having good success finding stone crabs since the season opened October 15th and runs until May 1st, 2024. These very tasty claws of these crabs are the goal. These crabs can be found hiding on the bottom around broken rock and barnacle laden structure. They can also be found tucked in tight around the bottom of bridge pilings and debris. We also find them just offshore in shallow water. These offshore stone crabs bury themselves under the offshore limestone ledges. They usually don’t go past 30’ of water depth. The size limit for these crabs is based off the size of the crab’s claw. The minimum claw size was increased a few years ago to 2-7/8 inches. The 1/8 increase was a conservation implementation, to leave the smaller crabs in the water. Stone crab hunters can take both claws if they both are 2-7/8 inches or larger. Even if both claws are large enough to take, some divers elect to leave one claw, so the stone crab is better at defending itself and getting food with one remaining claw. When a claw is taken it will grow back during the next molt that the crab goes through. It is important to take the claw off properly. You need to push the claw down and slightly outward and the claw should break off cleanly. Sometimes the crab will release the claw. If the claw starts to tear at the joint, it could kill the crab, so take your time to remove the claw carefully and the resource will be sustained.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
