• A line (ball of string) - string is easy on the hands to control and pull in - and the crabs really don't care what you use.
• A small stick - (maybe 8-12 inches long) to tie your line to
• Bait - raw chicken necks or raw fish heads. Most local grocery stores carry chicken parts you can use for crabbing. Some crabbers swear by rotting shark meat. Others use fish heads. Fish markets will also sell you leftover fish heads. Crabs will pretty much eat any uncooked meat but these are what most people use.
• A small net - to help wrangle those ornery critters
• A cooler, a tall bucket, or a bushel basket with a lid - for your catch - Some folks keep their crabs in a live well in the water, which helps them to live longer.
• Gloves - to wear when handling the crabs
• A buddy - because two sets of hands are better than one - and it is always more fun and safer on the water with a friend along.
• A ruler - or some other way to measure the size of your catch. Obviously if it’s too small to be eaten, do practice catch and release.

1. When you get to your crabbing spot, tie one end of a 5-6 foot line on to your stick
2. Tie a piece of your bait securely at the other end of your line
3. Drop your bait into the water holding securely onto your stick.
4. Wait for the tug of the crab eating your bait.
5. When you feel a nibble, slowly raise the line to the surface. Go slowly and try not to scare the crab. Gently reel in your line wrapping it around your stick until the crab is hanging in the air.
6. Either drop the crab into your bucket or use your net to grab your prey and then drop it in the bucket from the net.
7. Crabs should not be without water or air for too long. Crabs can live in coolers with ice because the ice slows down their system. Never cook and eat a dead crab. Eat your crabs the same day that you catch them.