Crabbing’s a fun and easy way to spend a few hours at the beach. What makes crabbing unique among the different kinds of fishing is how easy it is—it’s a great activity for kids. Follow the steps below and start fishing for crabs!

1. Purchase some turkey or chicken parts from your local grocery store. Necks, wings and backs work best, but crabs aren’t all that picky about their bait. Whatever’s available will do.

2. Tie the bait to a long strand of string or very thin rope (durable string works best). There’s no special method for tying great crab-bait knots, so experiment and don’t be afraid to start over if your knot doesn’t hold.
(*Note they also make special crab catching pots or baskets that require less work.)

3.Wade out into the water, or go to the edge of your dock and cast your line. If the bait doesn’t sink, try again but first tie a small fishing weight to the end of the string. This will keep the bait down where the crabs can find it.

4. Wait patiently for a crab to grab onto your line. If you’ve picked a good spot, you’ll hopefully get a nibble or two in the first half-hour. If not, pull in your line and cast it out somewhere else on the beach.

5. Once you’ve got a crab on the line, maintain tension in the string as you pull the crab in, don’t pull too hard. Keep a dip net handy for catching the crab when it arrives.

6. Scoop your dip net into the water and seize the crab. This can be tricky with rushing currents and especially waves, so it helps to have someone else nearby to work the net while you watch the string.

Blue Crabs: Catch ’em, Cook ’em, Eat ’em