Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs
Blue crabs not only comprise the most valuable fishery in the Chesapeake Bay, but are major predators of many organisms that live in and on the bottom of the Bay floor, and are prey for many other fish species. Blue crabs are sexually dimorphic, meaning sexes occur in distinct forms. Males (called "Jimmies") have blue claws and a narrow abdominal apron (referred to as the Washington Monument). Mature females (Called "Sooks") have red-tipped claws ("painted fingernails") and a broad abdominal apron (referred to as the Capitol dome. Females carrying eggs are called "Sponges".
VA Crabbing Charters
Guests aboard Catchin' Up II have the opportunity to harvest crabs several ways. At the start of our charter we will put out a commercial style "pot" and allow it to "soak" during the rest of out trip, to be picked up just before our return to the dock. Over the course of the rest of their crabbing adventure, our guests will have the opportunity to experience catching Chesapeake Blue Crabs several ways; ranging from the most primitive method, using hand lines and a dip net, to using drop hoop net traps and drop door traps.The Virginia crabbing season begins in May. We continue taking guests crabbing through the summer and stop in September, when the crabs start digging in for the winter. With advance notice, we can even combine crabbing and fishing on the same charter!
Fresh Steamed Crabs that you caught yourself!
Our guests may keep up to a full bushel of Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs. Male hard crabs (Jimmies) must be a minimum of 5 inches measured from tip to tip of the longest spikes. No size limits exist for adult female hard crabs (Sooks). We will return all "Sponge Crabs" to the water.
York River Charters' goal is to provide our guests the the most personalized charter experience available on the East Coast. We invite you to come on down and enjoy some of the finest crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay!
Catching Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs provides fun for our guests of all ages! We are certain your Captain's unique perspective and knowledge of the region are sure to give you reason to join us many times in the future and become yet another lifelong crabbing friend.
For crabbing excursion Rates and Times, go to our Fishing Charters page.
