Stone Crab Season Comes in On October 15th. The annual excitement for seafood lovers will soon be here. Florida’s stone crabs are a delicacy best shared with a few friends and cold refreshments.
Stone crab claws are harvested using traps baited with various fish parts, chicken remains and even pork hocks. The crabs are drawn out of hiding places such as rocky jetties, weed beds and oyster bars. The crabs are caught in the traps until the fisherman empties the trap and removes one (or more) claws and returns the crab to grow another claw within a year. This year the fiesty little crabs should be plentiful unless harsh weather alters their pattern.
It has never bee researched, but I am unsure if the excitement over stone crab claws is really the taste of the crab itself or the unique time of year here in Florida. The snowbirds are returning, the weather is at it’s best and fishing, in general can’t be beat in late October. Personally, I think it’s a combination of the environment and great eating that fills the beach restaurants again and gives Floridians one more reason to be thankful they are here!
Entries (RSS)
When does the Stone Crab Season end? Are there any specials or unique dishes planned for the claws at Backwaters?
Stone crab season runs from October 15th to May 15th each year. Since we won’t know about size, quantity or pricing until Monday, we don’t know about specials or availability. Backwaters will have stone crab!
Will Backwaters offer cold and hot stonecrabs? And in med and large sizes or one size? Would you consider a night/day when there might be special pricing like Frenchys offers?
Backwaters will have only large and jumbo stone crabs. There are crab fests on the beach offering mediums, which we don’t serve. We are considering a special crab night, but we have them in now at regular prices. As always, they get more expensive each year. We will know more after the season has been in for a couple of days.
I’m staying in Belleair Beach w/family and will be there during the stone crab festival. Can you guarantee if I come to Backwater’s that you will have the most juicy, plump and succulent stone crabs on the beaches of Sand Key. I hear your restaurant rocks!! I have heard the locals are dubbed as “porch people” and they are an interesting and diverse group. I look forward to visiting your restaurant. Thanks!