Ready for an Adventure?

Visit St. Petersburg during stone crab season and enjoy fresh seafood, stunning views, and outdoor adventures!

Diving for Stone Crab

Diving for stone crabs is another method where divers manually collect crabs by identifying and safely detaching one claw before releasing the crab back into the water.  This method requires familiarity with crab behavior and habitat to be done effectively.

Stone Crab

Florida stone crabs are renowned for their delicious claws, which are considered a delicacy. The claws are characterized by their firm, sweet meat, often compared to lobster in texture and taste. Stone crabs have the unique ability to regenerate lost claws, which makes them a sustainable choice for seafood lovers.

Snapping Up Stone Crab

Discover the delicious world of stone crab, a fun coastal activity right here in St. Petersburg, Florida!

The Large Claw of the Stone Crab

Stone crab claws are known for their sweet, tender meat.  Fun fact:  They can regenerate their claws, which makes them a sustainable seafood choice!

Size + Legal Harvesting

Size Restrictions: Legal harvest size for claws is a minimum of 2 7/8 inches, measured by the length of the propodus (the immovable part of the claw). Harvesting Rules: Only claws may be harvested; the body must be returned to the water to regenerate its claws. It's illegal to harvest claws from egg-bearing female crabs.

Life of a Stone Crab

Stone crabs prefer rocky and muddy bottoms near oyster reefs. They can live up to 8 years and grow up to 6.5 inches across the carapace.

Right Way to Harvest

In Florida, it’s legal to harvest stone crab claws if the claw is at least 2.75 inches long.  The crabs are returned to the water alive to regrow their claws.

Stone Crab Season

Stone crab season typically runs from October 15th to May 1st.  Harvesting is regulated to ensure the population remains healthy for future seasons.

Gear Up for Crabbing

Ready to catch your own?  You'll need a stone crab trap, a claw gauge to measure claws, and a recreational saltwater fishing license. 

Best Crabbing in St Petersburg

Explore prime crabbing spots like the mangroves in Tampa Bay or the seagrass beds near Fort De Soto Park. These habitats are stone crab havens!

Tips for Trapping Stone Crab

Local tip: Set your traps along rocky areas and check them regularly.  Stone crabs are most active at night, so evening checks might yield the best catch!

Conservation

By following harvesting rules, you're helping to protect the stone crab and ensure sustainable seafood practices.