Channel Island Crabs

[PhotoTJ]

Bagging is tough, because of the size. And I only use my hands. (I only take males, more meat in the claws.) The meat is excellent, but the shell really is like armour, I've had to use a ball peen hammer and slip joint pliers to crack it! But once you get to it, it's great! Butter and lemon, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

 

[JustAddWater]

Thanks, Now I'll lokk at those guys with a whole new respect.

 

[PhotoTJ]

I'm told that catching them looks like a scene from the Matrix, lots of feinting and swinging of claws and hands, I try to catch a claw in each hand, then transfer both to one for the swim back, with the crab hanging off of my arm. (They are always the last thing I do during a dive.) My buddy has watched me, and I have been able to hear him laugh from 20' away, so it must be pretty entertaining. Not been pinched yet!

 

[lanun]

... they look more like sheep than decorator crabs on steroids ut:

 

[SCUBACrazy]

We see these big buggers on virtually every dive in La Jolla canyon. While wrestling one large specimen into a good position for a photo I lost my grip on one claw and he immediately latched on to the thumb of the hand I still had holding the other claw. My buddy had to use both hands to pry his claw open. I thought I was going to lose that thumb! It was black and blue for two weeks. You definitely want to respect their strength.

 

[drbill]

They are known to break fingers bone and all with their claws. The females are easier to deal with as they have much smaller claws and are more docile. Get a big male and be careful!

Dr. Bill

 

[JustAddWater]

I often see shell remnants on the sand. Is this molting, or are they prey to some bigger, badder customer?

 

[drbill]

Given the number of dead or dying bodies seen after mating, it is possible at least some die after the blessed event. This is speculation rather than a result of scientific study.

Dr. Bill

 

[PhotoTJ]

I saw a mess of 'em yesterday, includung the biggest male I've ever seen. How big? Big enought that I wasn't about to go 'mano-a-crabo' with him!

Looked like 30" at least. (Used my snorkle as a measuring device.)