Crab fishing

[Bow tech hunter]

So I've always wonder when u catch crabs in ur pots/traps what do u do with them if u don't eat them the same day? Like can u put them straight in the freezer or boil them then put them in freezer? What do u guys do with the crabs or the crab meat?

[Mfowl]

If I am going to keep crab meat for any length of time I will deshell it and vacuum pack it for the freezer. I know some people leave it in the shell to freeze as well, always cooked.  You can also keep them live for several days in a cooler. Put them on a layer of ice and keep a wet rag on them. Keep the drain open so they don't sit in water and check the ice periodically. They will keep for a while.

[MIKEXRAY]

We clean them, cook them , put in freezer bags in the shells & pop in the freezer. We don't notice much difference from fresh. Eaten up to a year later and just fine. I'm sure there are better ways but works for us.

[C-Money]

Cooked, cleaned, freezer bagged, freezer! 

[notellumcreek]

always cook them right away, can't remember if there is some sort of toxin that releases if you don't or bacteria just grows on it that quick after they die... someone might be able to shed some more light on this.

 I have never had success vac sealing them whole with the shell, too many pointy spots that poke holes in the bags- not worth the time and wasted plastic to get them to sit in there just right. Deshell them and vac. seal them and put them in the freezer, they usually last long enough until the next season 

[Mfowl]

always cook them right away, can't remember if there is some sort of toxin that releases if you don't or bacteria just grows on it that quick after they die... someone might be able to shed some more light on this.

 I have never had success vac sealing them whole with the shell, too many pointy spots that poke holes in the bags- not worth the time and wasted plastic to get them to sit in there just right. Deshell them and vac. seal them and put them in the freezer, they usually last long enough until the next season 
[/quote

Dead crabs do emit a toxin. I am not sure how long it takes or how harmful it is however. Definitely ruins the meat though.

[Rick]

Shell the meat and freeze in whole milk.