| The very first time I went crabbing I guess I was | | | | could tie it. (This is where your sharp pocket |
| about 9 years old. Our dad had decided that I | | | | knives really comes in handy.)Tie on a sinker to |
| was now old enough to go out on the boat with | | | | make sure it stays on the bottom and that's all |
| him, my older brothers and one of our neighbors. | | | | there is to it. |
| This was a big day for me and I could not wait | | | | Each person on the boat has there own "hand |
| for the day to go crabbing. Up to this point I could | | | | line." Every 5 to 10 minutes you check your line |
| only rely on hearing stories about it from my | | | | for crabs. By doing this you pull the line up very |
| brothers. Of course as long as I can remember I | | | | slowly, hand over hand. (The water is usually not |
| was always old enough to enjoy eating them. But, | | | | more than 10 feet deep for this method of |
| I was about to have a graduation of sorts, and | | | | crabbing.) When the baiting line becomes visible at |
| participate in being able to catch them. Crabbing is | | | | this point you can see if there is a crab on the |
| similar to fishing in that good fishing knives are | | | | line. If you are skilled enough, while holding the |
| needed. Me and my brothers all carried pocket | | | | hand line with one hand, take a net in you other |
| knives so this was not a problem. And we all | | | | hand and by going underneath of the bait and |
| preferred Buck Knives. | | | | crab you scoop up in one motion without alerting |
| The night before we were going to go out we | | | | the crab. It takes a little skill to get the hang of it. |
| spent a few hours loading up the car with | | | | Just lose a few crabs and you will soon see how |
| everything needed for the trip. The excitement | | | | fast you can learn. If the crab is of a legal size |
| was incredible. For bait my dad preferred chicken | | | | (this varies state-to-state) then just throw it in |
| necks, because in water they are oily and greasy | | | | the bushel. To catch your first crab is as much |
| which really attracts the crabs. Also the necks are | | | | fun as you could ever have. Soon the day ends |
| very hard to pull apart by the crabs and | | | | and you wonder where the time goes. This is |
| therefore last a long time. We all had our Buck | | | | truly a moment where the statement "time flies |
| Knives type pocket knives and had other types | | | | when your having fun" applies. |
| of fishing knives in the tackle box because having | | | | This is truly a lot of fun, but guess what? The fun |
| a good sharp knife truly was essential. We would | | | | has just begun. Upon arriving home the job of |
| have a small fishing boat with an outboard motor | | | | "steaming" the crabs is now at hand. As I was |
| reserved in advance and could arrive as early as | | | | only 9, this job was left up to my dad. However, |
| we chose that day. My dad would like to be on | | | | he insisted that my brothers and I be "helpers" so |
| the boat loaded up and ready to go at sun up. | | | | that we would learn for ourselves. This is also a |
| Our method of crabbing was both with a hand line | | | | lot of fun and tricky. (They are actually called |
| and a couple of small traps. To use a hand line this | | | | crabs for a reason) Never the less I am grateful |
| is where sharp pocket knives are essential. I have | | | | for this experience because I can "steam" crabs |
| been carrying a Buck Knife, pocket knife for as | | | | on my own. |
| long as I can remember, and for the trip I | | | | After all of the crabs are 'steamed' every one |
| brought along a nice multiple bladed one. First a | | | | sits around the table and cleans and eats crabs. I |
| piece of rope or cord was cut at the desired | | | | cannot describe to you how good they are. I can |
| length. (Usually 15 feet was plenty long enough.) | | | | only recommend you give it a try. Just remember |
| Next I would take a chicken neck and cut a "slit" | | | | and take the few "tools" to help get the few jobs |
| in it to allow the rope to go through so that you | | | | done. Pocket knives made by Buck Knives. |