When people hear of crab fishing in Georgia’s coastal areas, they often think of blue crab. Yes, the most abundant georgia crab is the blue crab in the inland waters, but stone crab is stumbled upon more often than you would think. Many are often baffled if they know how to identify a stone crab, while others are clueless about what type of crab is sitting in the trap or basket. Many often ask how to handle Georiga stone crab. 

How Do You Identify A Stone Crab

Of the two edible crabs in the states waters, here is how to determine the difference in the types of crabs in Georgia. The most straightforward way to identify a stone crab is by determining the size of the claws. The claws of a stone crab are most often massive compared to those of a blue crab in length and width. 

Shell Size

A blue crabs shell has the often familiar points on both sides, while a stone crab outer shell is rounded. The measurement of the carapace is generally three inches long and four inches wide. 

Coloration

Florida is where most stone crab claws are harvested, where the sand is white, and the water is typically more clear. As a result, the stones caught in Florida are much different in color than those in Georgia. Our minds are most familiar with the light gray, black-spotted top shell and black claw tips. 

In Georgia, don’t expect to catch stone crab with these colors. This type of crab will also be much darker in coloration because of the murky water and muddy seafloor. Expect the crabs to be completely brown throughout their entirety except for the underside of the body and claws. 

Claw Size

Stone crabs are equipped with a crusher claw and a pincer claw. The crusher claw is more pronounced than the pincer claw. Males have bigger pincer and crusher claws than females.  They can be nearly as large as an adult’s hand. 

How To Handle A Stone Crab

Georgia stone crab like those in other states are extremely strong, so precautions must be taken. First and foremost, don’t assume that the pinch of a claw is its only strength. The question is often asked, how to catch stone crabs by hand; however we do not recommend this because of the power of the claw.

Put on a pair of gloves to help achieve a better grip when handling the crab. With each hand, grip each claw close to where the main body and the claws meet. Take a firm hold, so you don’t drop it. 

One of the first things you will notice is how strong this type of crab is. They can easily pull your hands from an outward position to touching each other central to the body. 

The Pinch

Don’t be afraid to handle the crab. Yes, the pinch can inflict severe wounds. When a firm grip is placed on each claw, a pinch is easily avoided. However, understand that the claws are strong enough to crush an oyster shell. Now that’s some strength. 

What Part Of The Crab Do You Eat

Unlike the blue crab, where it is harvested in whole, the claw of a stone crab is all that is harvested. A stone crab can be released alive and well after a single claw is removed to eat. The larger crusher claw can be kept because it yields more meat. One pincher is left in place as a means of protection. When crabbing in Georgia never keep the entire stone crab.

How Big Does A Claw Have To Be For Harvesting In Georgia

First, make sure you have a valid Georgia saltwater fishing license. Georgia does not have any regulations when it comes to stone crab except for a fishing permit. When catching these crabs, the state, however, does recommend keeping one claw that must measure over 2 ¾ inches long. A claw should be removed from the elbow to the tip by breaking it off cleanly without leaving meat from the body still attached. 

Lastly, the stone crab season Georgia does end. Anglers have the opportunity to fish and keep a one claw of the proper size at any point during a year. However, we find that it is more common to catch the crab during the summer months compared to the winter months in the state of Georgia.

It’s Time To Taste A Stone Crab That You Never Knew About In Your Trap 

Despite the vast number of Georgia crabs, you can now identify a stone crab after maybe many years of unknowingly catching them. It’s time to head out stone crabbing and bring some claws home for dinner. Its mild and sweet flavor is a favorite to many. In a seafood market, the prices can range from twenty dollars per pound up to fifty dollars per pound depending on the claws’ size. It is best to avoid the market and try your luck at catching a passerby when you’re hauling in a solid catch of the overly abundant georgia crabs being the blue crab.Â