Completely dependent on the saltwater beaches and the daily deposits that wash up with the surf, the Outer Banks ghost crabs have plenty to brag about, with miles of open beaches and unpopulated shorelines to comb for food, friends, and shelter. Unlike most crabs that traverse the beaches from right to left, sand crabs are backwards burrowers, and when launched ashore, will furiously burrow into the sand with their rear claws until they are safely out of harm's way. Easy to do, completely free of charge, and enjoyable for family members of all ages, a ghost crab hunt can turn into some incredible wildlife spottings and photos in the best of circumstances, and a quietly pleasant wander down the beach under the stars during the worst circumstances. In addition, sand crabs, unlike most other varieties of crabs, do not bite or pinch, making them completely harmless. If possible, wear darker clothing and tread as quietly as possible, Ghost crabs are very observant and relay on their sense of something being out of place to protect them from any possible predators. How can a consumer know it’s Soft Shell Crab season? There is no substitute for the freshest possible bait. They live in marshes and intertidal banks, preferring firmer and clay/sandy or clay/muddy soil types. Best Crab in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast: Find 88,908 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of THE BEST Crab and search by price, location, and more. Best Seafood Restaurants in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast: Find Tripadvisor traveller reviews of Outer Banks Seafood restaurants and search by price, location, and more. Located At The End Of The World In North Carolina, I Got Your Crabs Is A Must-Visit. Once a ghost crab is captured in a flashlight beam, it will stand motionless for a moment while it collects its bearings. This is a dangerous process, and a number of eggs fall prey to passing fish, or rough surf, before ever making it to the shoreline. I Got Your Crabs – Kitty Hawk. Crabs, mullet, and spot are the favorites. There are technically over 20 species of ghost crabs worldwide, although the variety you'll spot most along the Outer Banks is the Atlantic Ghost Crab, which shares many characteristics with the fiddler crab, also found all along the coastal North Carolina area along muddy soundside areas or hidden next to salty canals. Passengers sort the catch keeping all the fish shrimp and crabs of legal size to take home. Virtually every vacationer to the Outer Banks during the late spring and summer months will encounter a sand crab, though most will never notice it. In these cases, a ghost crab may break out of an otherwise-unnoticeable hole in the sand to deposit some of the remnants of their cleaning efforts. Ghost crabs are essentially harmless, and will very quickly shy away from humans. Head to the beach. Sand crabs are prime targets for both larger fish who are waiting to catch the small crabs while they're skimming along in the water, as well as shore birds who are happy to snatch them up once they've made it to the beaches. Two Whitetail bucks. See more ideas about Wildlife, Outer banks, Species. … In between the islands and the mainland are several sounds including Pamlico Sound. Ocean waters that are an average of 2"-6" deep are ideal hunting grounds for sand crabs. Sand crabs are generally only found along the Outer Banks beaches in the summer months, but that doesn't mean that during the winter they have all but disappeared. All less than one-half inch wide. OUTER BANKS, N.C. -- There’s nothing quite like driving out onto the beach and casting a line! Because of their exceptional bait possibilities, one of the sand crabs' most dangerous predators are humans, so be sure and use only what you will need for fishing. Remember that not all types of seafood are caught locally and that each type of local seafood has a season when it’s caught fresh. It's a small body of brackish water that separates the Outer Banks from the mainland. The best time to surf fish in the Outer Banks is spring and fall. Another method of finding sand crabs is to walk along the shoreline, particularly in the late spring and early summer, and look for discrepancies along the shoreline, in the form of small, circular patches of sand that are bumpy or ridged in appearance. This is how the crab moves, and also feeds, as the small feathery antennae located just beneath the eyes will scratch the surface looking for food. The latter option is much less work, however, the adventure of purchasing oysters from a local OBX seafood market to deciding how to prepare them and then consuming them with loved ones can end up being a treasured Outer Banks vacation memory. This is why many daytime beach goers will never encounter them, unless they are perfectly still, either taking a beachside nap, or lost in a good book. Don’t want to venture out? Jimmy’s has lot of choices to keep everyone happy. When it comes to the best beaches to find ghost crabs, the quieter and more secluded the better. Outer Banks Fresh Crab. On a four-hour trip, you can catch shrimp and crabs that you get to take home. Crabbing on the Outer Banks is a tasty way to make some of the best beach vacation memories. The obvious keepsakes from a beach vacation are pictures of the sunrise, some pretty seashells or sea glass, or the ever-popular Outer Banks t-shirt. There are so many elements that make clamming the perfect family activity. Catching sand crabs, however, can be slightly more difficult. Crab Season in Outer Banks proves fun for kids and grown-ups alike at OBX Crabbing & Shrimping Charters. A fantastic hands-on experience for everyone. This is a question we hear often as a local. Virtually every vacationer to the Outer Banks during the late spring and summer months will encounter a sand crab, though most will never notice it. They are one of three groups of marine arthropods: Horseshoe Crabs, Sea Spiders and Crustaceans. They're also easy to find, and easy to dig for, making a day at the beach a fun hunting excursion. In addition, it's a completely free activity that everyone in the family can get on board with, especially the youngest members of the group, as the excitement of spotting a crab generally elicits a lot of squeals and shrieks along the way. The best areas to find sand crab are moist stretches of shoreline that are occasionally covered by a little ocean over wash. A simple digging expedition along the wet stretches of shoreline can usually unearth plenty of sand crabs that have just been deposited onshore. Outer Banks Fishing Seasons. 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