Crabs On The Rocks

[redchaserron]

Took my daughter to The Rock on Sunday. I crabbed behind a weir while she played around with her cast net, kid can really throw that thing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3jooypTPwI. I had my limit of crabs in about 4 hours. I didn't catch many jumbos, but I wasn't catching any small ones either, just nice consistent med/large crabs. I didn't fish but folks around us started catching reds pretty good once the tide started moving out. Bait was thick everywhere. When I was done crabbing I cut and picked up all of my lines, plus all the other left over line I could see/get too, it was a bunch. I also picked up about a trash bag full of other peoples litter. I wish folks would take better care of the place. When we got home I steamed the crabs in beer and they were awesome.

[tnarg84]

Great report! Glad to hear somebody cares....it is so sad to see the trash all over at such an awesome resource we are fortunate enough to have.

[bjhooper82]

I've been hungry for some boiled crabs! Nice catch and good times with your children. Thanks for doing your part and about 50 other peoples part to keep that place clean. It really is sad how trashy that place can be.

[saltysully]

great report! Thanks a bunch! And, she can really cast net well!! impressive!!

[Mr T]

you bring up the biggest problem Louisiana has re: its natural resources. It doesn't matter whether you are canoeing the Whiskey ****to , crabbing at Rockefeller or fishing the north end of Toledo Bend, there are too many ignorant, lazy people in this wonderful state. We need to do everything we can to protect it for our kids just like you did. I also commend you for picking up and for posting what you did. Me thinks there might be a few on this board that leave trash behind for others to pick up.
Crab strings are trash too!

[TidewateR]

well done Ron!

[redchaserron]

I was thinking, not only is left behind crab string unsightly, but it's also a hazard for wildlife and birds. Much like many areas have river clean up days, I might approach some local kayak and fishing clubs to host an annual "string thing" doing string cleanup at our refuges. Most people don't realize that public recreational access isn't the primary mission of the refuges and by and large it's not required. Misuse can lead to loss of privilege. I'm not sure if it's still this way, but for a time Sabine had banned cast netting from their docks and wharfs because people were leaving behind all of their by-catch. It would be a shame to see any more restrictions just because of user neglect.

[Reggoh]

I got to Academy the other night and watched a guy and his significant other walking out... the guy bought a skull cap... As he was walking to his truck he tears the tags off of the new hat and throws them on the ground. HE JUST PASSED THE DANG TRASH CAN WALKING OUT!!! Some people are so disrespectful!

My son was with me so we walked over to the tags on the ground, picked them up, and then yelled over to the guy as he was getting in his Lincoln Navigator with low profile tires and chrome rims "You dropped this but I'll throw it away for you" and gave him a thumbs up.

[tboy]

Good job all the way around sir.


Care to share that recipe?

[redchaserron]

Originally Posted by tboy

Good job all the way around sir.


Care to share that recipe?

Sure. Pour a 16oz can of beer, preferably a cheap, heavy, malty beer like Schmitz, 2 cups white vinegar and 3 cups water in a pot (if your pot is real big around use more of each so you don't boil it dry). Add a head of garlic smashed, some bay leaves, cloves and a bit of crawfish boil seasoning to the pot. I also make 3 big balls of aluminum foil and toss them in the pot to keep the basket above the liquid. I punch a hole in the bottom shell of each crab right below the mouth th help the seasoning get in. Layer crabs in the basket sprinkling seasoning mix over each layer until the basket is full. Put the basket in the pot and cover, fire up the jet burner. Once you see steam start timing and steam for 20 minutes, the smell is crazy good. While they steam I take care of piercing shells on the next batch. Previously I've done them pretty spicy and they took the seasoning better than I expected. This time I made them a bit milder, just salt and a little old bay and let the flavor of the crabs shine through. I think they were better with less seasoning, just a hint of old bay flavor.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by redchaserron

I was thinking, not only is left behind crab string unsightly, but it's also a hazard for wildlife and birds. Much like many areas have river clean up days, I might approach some local kayak and fishing clubs to host an annual "string thing" doing string cleanup at our refuges. Most people don't realize that public recreational access isn't the primary mission of the refuges and by and large it's not required. Misuse can lead to loss of privilege. I'm not sure if it's still this way, but for a time Sabine had banned cast netting from their docks and wharfs because people were leaving behind all of their by-catch. It would be a shame to see any more restrictions just because of user neglect.

That is still there rule.


Just before the change, the refuge shrimping was shutdown because of the mess / trash people were leaving at the wharfs. I had stopped by Hog Island Gully and another spot a week after the shrimp season had opened that year. Wow.... it was really filthy. Dead bait fish everywhere on the docks and lots to trash. It did not surprise at all that shrimping was shutdown for a few weeks to get the place cleaned up.


I think it was the year before that.... the Rock closed the shrimping season for the same reason.

[marty f]

man that looks so good!!!

[cajun bill]

visited the Rock today. 4 shy of a 144 limit only cuz I miscounted. Dey running.

[papap]

What are you guys calling the rock. Is that the weir on the left headed to gulf?

[redaddiction]

Originally Posted by papap

What are you guys calling the rock. Is that the weir on the left headed to gulf?

The Rock is just Rockerfella in general.

[redchaserron]

Originally Posted by cajun bill

visited the Rock today. 4 shy of a 144 limit only cuz I miscounted. Dey running.

Glad to hear it. I got my leftover crabs in a gumbo on the stove right now, going to eat it tomorrow because gumbo is always better the next day.

[bjhooper82]

Originally Posted by redchaserron

Glad to hear it. I got my leftover crabs in a gumbo on the stove right now, going to eat it tomorrow because gumbo is always better the next day.

I agree with you but there's no way I could smell that and not at least eat a small bowl or two when it's done!

[redchaserron]

The gumbo did not suck

[Bluechip]

That looks delicious....

[TidewateR]

killing me Ron