How to Catch and Cook Blue Manna Crabs

Step 1: Purchase crabbing equipment and bait.

Drop nets and hand-held scoops... we decided to go with the drop nets so that we could catch them from a jetty

Step 2: Find a good location.

Urmmm.... too shallow - not suitable for drop nets

too many boats launching out from here...

looks like a good spot!

Step 3: Wait for someone to show up to give some local expert advice!

Looks like this was not a suitable place for crabbing, though by then we had actually caught 6 crabs (by following steps 5 to 10), of which 3 undersized ones were released! (refer to step 9). This nice man suggested a better location, and that's where we headed to next.

Step 4: Select an even better location.

perfect spot... this time with shade too!

Step 5: Attach bait and secure drop nets.

We used mullets as bait

Step 6: Fling drop nets into the water.

just dropping them into the water made no difference, but flinging them definitely looks much cooler in photographs!

Step 7: Wait for a few minutes, then reel in the drop nets to check if it contains blue manna crabs.

Step 8: If there are no blue manna crabs, return to step 6. If there are blue manna crabs, ensure that they are legal (carapace width >= 127mm AND not carrying eggs).

Step 9: If crabs are legal, you may keep them for consumption. Otherwise, they must be returned to the water within 5 minutes.

Bye bye!

Step 10: Repeat steps 5 to 10 until tired, bait runs out, or maximum limit of 10 crabs per person has been reached.

possibly half of our bait were devoured by puffer fish...

Step 11: Pose with entire day's catch before going home.

We brought home 18 crabs! We caught at least double the number, but released the undersized ones and the female ones with eggs

Step 12: Boil crabs for 10 to 15 minutes.

Our Master Chef!

Step 13: Indulge!