Stone Crab
Menippe mercenaria
FR Crabe de roche · ES Cangrejo de piedra · PT Caranguejo-pedra
Also known as: Florida Stone CrabBlack Stone CrabCangrejo MoroCrabe Caillou NoirCangrejo de piedraCrabe de rocheCaranguejo-pedra
BenthicShoreBoat
Crustacean
Score
—
Prime time
Warm months; daylight
Depth
1–20m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Jan–DecGood Feb–Oct
Depth range
1–20mMedium
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Night forager on hard bottom. Fish heads or chicken — not picky about cuisine...
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Rocky shorePier harborShallow water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSquid
Diet
BivalvesBarnaclesSnailsPolychaete wormsCarrion
Effective techniques
Bottom Fishing
Gear
Best times
DayFlooding tide
I can drop a claw and regrow it — the only true mic-drop in nature.
Field notes
Where to find them
Gulf and southeast Atlantic reefs, mangroves
Where they hang out
Shallow structure, near shore
Prime time
Warm months; daylight
Tide game
Low to moderate
What they're into
Baited traps with fish scraps
Temperature vibe
Prefers 18–28°C
Fave weather
Calm conditions best
Fun fact about me
I can drop a claw and regrow it — the only true mic-drop in nature.
Dinner material?
10/10Excellent eating
Play by the rules
Only claws may be harvested in most areas — check state rulesState fisheries agency (e.g. FWC)
Looking after them
Not Evaluated