In a previous article, I discussed fishing while on vacation. What I did not mention was an easy way to get kids involved. If you are taking a beach vacation, consider spending an afternoon catching crabs. It requires little experience and almost no specialized equipment and provides a perfect opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Best of all, the whole family can enjoy it regardless of age or skill level.

I was first introduced to crabbing during a summer vacation to Chincoteague Island as a preteen. An older relative planned to take my brother and me fishing for flounder. Unfortunately, the season closed. So, instead of spending the day moping around the house he took us to a local pier and taught us to catch crabs. By the end of the day, we had a cooler full of tasty crustaceans and spent the next two weeks sitting on that dock, tending our lines.

Crabbing can be done using various methods, including baskets, hoop nets, and long lines. All of these are excellent choices for a more experienced angler, but if you are taking young children who are looking to bag their first blue claw, I recommend hand lines. The method is simple.

¯ Find a likely location. Ideally, it should include a dock or pier in shallow water without debris or other potential obstacles nearby.

¯ Cut thin twine (I prefer cotton twine, as it sinks easily and remains strong when wet) into lengths long enough to reach from the dock to the water’s bottom.

¯ Tie a line to the pier, tie the bait to another end of the line, and toss it into the water.

¯ Sit down and wait for your first crab. You will know when you have a bite because your line will start to move or become taunt.

¯ Once you have a crab on the line, slowly pull it toward the surface. Just before the crab breaks the surface, place a long-handled dip net under it and finish your retrieval. The crab will drop into your net when it hits the air.

¯ Put the keeps in your cooler, put the shorts back, and toss your line in for the next one.

Remember to check the local regulations. Most coastal states have liberal credit limits for recreational crabbers and allow kids to fish for free. However, all states have minimum size limits, and most require adults to obtain a license. Nothing ruins a day teaching the kids to fish quicker than a ticket from the local conservation officer.

Besides a long-handled net and a spool of twine, the only actual equipment needed is bait. Crabs are scavengers and will eat almost anything, which can be used to your advantage.

Various cut baits work well, including squid, but my favorite crab treat is chicken – chicken necks to be specific. They are cheap and can be purchased at any grocery store, so there is no need to learn where the local bait shop might be. I also like to “age” the necks a bit, which is a polite way of saying I let them spoil a little. To do this, place them in a five-gallon bucket the afternoon before your fishing trip and let the covered bucket sit in the sun. They might be a little stinky by the next day, but the crabs will love them.

Good luck, good fishing!