CRABBING

Here’s a do-it-yourself guide for crab lovers who want to get a handle on the action.

What

Summer crabbing in South Puget Sound and Hood Canal.

When

Sport crabbing opened in July in South Puget Sound — Marine Area 13, which begins south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridges — and is open seven days a week through Jan. 2.

Hood Canal — Marine Area 12 — is thick with crabs, and it’s open on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule through Sept. 1. Hood Canal will be open for crabbers every day of the Aug. 30-Sept. 1 Labor Day weekend.

Why

Dungeness Crab are gourmet fare, and red rock crab, while less meaty, also are delicious. It’s also a lot of fun to bait a crab pot, slip it into the water from a boat, dock or pier and lift it up an hour or so later — especially if it’s heavy with crabs.

Where

In South Sound, crabs lurk almost everywhere. Many crabbers drop pots near Boston Harbor, but there are thousands of good spots. Most crabbers drop pots in water that is 10 to 60 feet deep. Many crabbers believe the catching is best when the current is moving — on rising or dropping tides.

How

Most crabbers use pots, which are mesh- or wire-covered frames that hold a bait container that lures crabs through two funnel openings. All pots must have an escape hatch that is secured with biodegradable cotton cord. The cord rots away quickly if the pot is lost, and the hatch opens. That allows the crabs in the pot to escape. Crabbers also use ring nets and even dip net crabs during low tides.

Crabbers use dead fish, chicken or even cat food to bait their pots. Some crabbers also tie a salmon head to the inside of the pot to lure lots of crabs.

Pots must have buoys attached to the line. The red and white buoys must be marked with the owner’s name and address. The line from the buoy to the pot must not float on the surface.

For photos of crab equipment, visit: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/ shelfish/ crabreg/sportcrabpics.htm

Limits and sizes

Crabbers can keep five male dungeness crabs that are at least 6.25 inches wide across the back of the shell. Female Dungeness crabs must be released. Crabbers can also keep six red rock crabs of either sex that are at least 5 inches wide across the back of the shell. Red rock crabs tend to have less meat than Dungeness crabs, but they are very tasty. Red rock crabs have huge claws, which pack a lot of meat — and a mighty pinch that can break a pencil.

Reporting

Puget Sound crabbers must report their catch to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Crab licenses have reporting cards, or crabbers can go online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ wdfw/ puget_sound_crab_ catch.html

Biologists use catch records to manage crabs and future crab seasons.

Soft-shell crabs

It is illegal to keep a soft-shell crab. Visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/ fish/ shelfish/crabreg/ softshell.htm

Cooking

The best way to cook crabs is to drop them — still alive — into a pot of boiling salt water. Use a 1/4 cup of salt for every gallon of water. Boil the crabs for about 20 minutes and then crack them open and dig for the meat. Some people clean their crabs before boiling. They kill the crab, pull off the back, break the crab in two, remove the entrails and then boil the crabs for about 12 minutes.

Safety

Wear life jackets while boating in Puget Sound — and pulling in crab pots. Don’t drop pots and buoys in shipping lanes. Pick up crabs by their two back legs, or you risk a nasty pinch.