The Great Crab Shootout.
Crabbing is serious business, well, as serious as scooping a tiny net underneath a crustacean hanging onto a piece of chicken can be.
For the past 8 years, hardcore crabbers from 12 different states totaling nearly 100 boats and 270 crabbers have descended upon the little bay town of Somers Point, NJ to take part in the Annual Assault on Patcong Creek Crabbing tournament, which is by all standards, the nation’s largest crabbing tournament.
If you think people don’t take the tournament seriously, just look at some of the boat names entered—Bushelled Out, Crab-Zilla, and Pheelin’ Crabby—clearly crabbers with a mission.
The tournament recorded 25 bushels in 2016, and the after party is truly one of a kind with a BBQ pig roast, beer tents, hot dogs, and of course, bushels of deliciously steamed crabs.
“We hope this event will also help provide financial support to marine-based educational initiatives.” This year’s winner Phil and Michele DiPietro of Norristown, PA, topped the field with a 7 3/8-inch blue claw crab; a crustacean with some serious shoulders.
Keep or Toss?
It’s quite simple to tell the difference between male and female crabs.
Male crabs are affectionately known as “Jimmies” and females are called “Sooks”.
It is recommended to only keep the males crabs and to release all females.
Author: Nick Honachefsky / Source: outdoorlife.com
Crabbing is serious business, well, as serious as scooping a tiny net underneath a crustacean hanging onto a piece of chicken can be. For the past 8 years, hardcore crabbers from 12 different states totaling nearly 100 boats and 270 crabbers have descended upon the little bay town of Somers Point, NJ to take part in the Annual Assault on Patcong Creek Crabbing tournament, which is by all standards, the nation’s largest crabbing tournament. If you think people don’t take the tournament seriously, just look at some of the boat names entered—Bushelled Out, Crab-Zilla, and Pheelin’ Crabby—clearly crabbers with a mission. The tournament recorded 25 bushels in 2016, and the after party is truly one of a kind with a BBQ pig roast, beer tents, hot dogs, and of course, bushels of deliciously steamed crabs.
“The number one goal of the Assault on Patcong Creek is to have fun with friends and family, both on and off the water,” says Organizer and Harbormaster of the tournament Ron Meischker, when describing the ultimate goal of the contest. “We hope this event will also help…
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