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For anglers in the northeast, mid to late summer is a special time when there’s another saltwater species to go after, giving a break from surfcasting and inshore fishing.

We are talking about the beloved blue claw, sweetest of all domestic crabs, and a particular delight to those in the Mid-Atlantic states.

If you have a NuCanoe Unlimited, you’re in a better place to bring home a few bushels than many others in aluminum runabouts and conventional fishing kayaks.

Here’s why, and what to bring.

Why the NuCanoe Unlimited Is the Ideal Crabbing Yak

If you love crabbing, the NuCanoe Unlimited is simply ideal for it. It has a large open cockpit, with no space wasted by a pedal drive unit.

This alone is double valuable, as pedal drive systems don’t do particularly well in the exceedingly shallow, muddy waters where you’ll find the biggest bounties of blue claws.

The Unlimited is also optimized for space and stability, so you’ll have plenty of room for several traps, bushels, and a cooler or even two, if you’re economical about it.

The stability of the Unlimited will also give you the freedom and flexibility to stand, which can make it a lot easier to unload a trapful of crabs or reach with a net for one that’s pulling hard on a dropline.

In a word, the Unlimited really is what its name suggests: without limits.

So, if you’re going after marsh blue claws, what do you need?

What to Bring for Backwater Blueclaws

If you’re after crabs, here’s a good starting place in terms of what to bring.

A Paddle

This is self explanatory. You don’t want to be up a proverbial creek. Also, the tides in some thoroughfares can be pretty strong, so make sure you tether your paddle to your NuCanoe.

Traps

The easiest way to catch a big mess of crabs is to bait folding-style traps and drop them down, tending them after 5 to 10 minutes, especially when there are a lot of crabs around. If you aren’t expedient, they’ll just eat your bait and be off.

Conservatively, bring along two. That way, you can alternate working on them; raise one, empty the crabs into a bushel, then drop it down and you’re ready to work the next one. In a yak, you won’t have much need for more than a pair.

Drop Lines

There’s a legitimate reason to bring along drop lines and traps. Even though traps are more efficient at catching lots of crabs quickly, there are times when they just won’t work well.

For instance, if you’re in an area with a lot of blowfish, you’ll be catching loads of them before you get crabs, and crabs avoid them anyway.

Taking drop lines will allow you to eliminate bycatch, and on top of that, the drop lines add almost no weight or volume to what you need to bring. So there’s no reason not to bring them,

Also, drop lines can be effective in more shallow water, or in areas in which you need to “pitch” your bait to the crabs, where a trap wouldn’t work.

A Net

This is self explanatory, too. You’ll need a net to get those pesky crabs that won’t cooperate with the trap, plus it helps with handling crabs on the deck and keeping them away from you. Bring a pair.

A Cooler

Bring a cooler to keep bait fresh, but do not put the crabs in it and seal it. They’ll suffocate. Keep it for bait, only (or any fish you catch if you’re also fishing).

Bait

Again, self-explanatory. Bring more than you think you need. Oily fish work great, like bluefish, bunker, and herring. Chicken is also a great bait, too, and doesn’t fall apart as easily. One good tip is to keep the racks of any fish you catch and filet them (leaving the guts inside) and use these as bait for crabs.

Bushels and Towels

Bushels and towels are the safest way to keep crabs the longest. Crabs thrown in a cooler will suffocate or drown. Crabs left in a bushel in the sun will die in the heat.

Throw them in a bushel and drape a soaking wet towel over the top. The moisture will keep them cool and the towel will shield them from the sun. So stored, crabs can usually survive out of water for many hours.

Sunscreen and Bug Spray

Bring sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun, and believe us, even if you think yourself tough to bug infestation, being on the marsh in late summer, in the heat and humidity, is a religious experience, but not in a good way. Deer flies, greenheads and no-see-ums can be so thick it can be hard to breathe. Bring and use bug spray, you will be glad you did.

Food and Water

Just as a pick me up, with respect to the food. As for the water, it’s important to stay hydrated, especially out on the bay.

A Map

The truth is it can be downright disorienting out on the marsh, where twisting, winding creeks and tall phragmites make it all but impossible to tell where you are. There is no replacement for experience but even old salts can get lost on familiar water. Always be prepared with a map so you can navigate out of a tight spot.

A Small Kayak Anchor

The currents and tides can really rip in some of those small thoroughfares and coastal creeks where the crabs are thick. An anchor can help you hold a spot when you get into the blue claws.

Shoving Off: Good Luck and Tight (Drop)lines

You’ll be in good hands, equipped with a NuCanoe Unlimited, if your target species is blue claw crabs.

Make sure you prepare with these essentials (as a starting point, you’ll still want to bring along everything else you need to be safe on the water) and get out there!