This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Crabs in Broadneck

The upcoming holiday means one special treat for local residents.

Nothing says summer quite like hot steamed crabs and ice cold beverages over Fourth of July weekend. Crabs are one of the central thematic icons that unify us and provide us with a sense of place that transcends geography and evokes a kaleidoscope of emotions and memories for all.

If you are lucky enough to have grown up in Annapolis, you might share my childhood memories of crabbing from a neighbor’s pier while a wet dog wildly barks the day’s catch. You might recall the idyllic imagery of crabbing boats emerging from the misty drawn beneath the Greenbury Point Towers.

Perhaps you can appreciate the luxury of that post-beachy fatigue that comes from a day in the sun; the humming of outboard engines singing from up the creek; and the smell of beer steamed blue crabs fresh from the backyard pot…picked on dad’s back porch while watch the sailboats cruise by. Yeah, that’s home alright…you can smell it as you drive over the Severn River Bridge.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

One of my favorite things to do with out of town guests is to pick crabs (preferably after a day of sailing; that’s right, I lay it on thick). Taking foreign friends and family to the local crabhouse is easily the best way to orient them with the local culture.

The best crabhouse in Annapolis remains an undisputed topic. There is just no touching . Nestled deep in Mill Creek, this authentic shore shack is unparalleled in its location, atmosphere, and hospitality.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Cantler’s is known for its casual style where many patrons arrive by boat, a few with wet bums. While waiting to be seated at picnic tables, visitors can view crabs and other assorted Bay creatures in the tanks beneath the back deck and marvel at the Hurricane Isabel high water mark.

Broadneck residents are lucky to call this spot the neighborhood bar, while tourists from far flung locals crowd the decks all summer long for a chance to pick crabs while rubbing elbows with true locals.

Manager and lifelong Broadneck resident Jake Lerian said, “Cantler’s is a great family-owned traditional crabhouse. If you want to know what crab picking is all about, you can come here.”

Owned by a family of watermen and frequented by locals, Cantler’s has remained the “it spot” of the community since 1974.

Those looking for a home-based crab picking experience can pick up crabs by the dozen or bushel at the Annapolis Seafood Market or at Joe’s Seafood, both on Ritchie Highway. Though most seafood establishments will happily steam your selections for you, everyone should steam a dozen or so at home with the kids at least once. It’s a cultural rite of passage.

This experience unraveled in my own home when a basket containing crabs tipped over and our dinner escaped into the kitchen. After a few minutes of shrieking and juvenile hilarity, my family retrieved all the clawed crustaceans and important lessons were learned. From that day on, I have stayed away from the sharp end until after the crab has been cooked and seasoned.

Another great way to connect your family to the way of the Bay is to catch the crabs yourselves. This can be accomplished by setting traps, keeping baited pots at your pier, or through the ever popular chicken necking method. Chicken necking employs bait dangled from a pier by a string and a simple dip net.

Once the crabs have grasped the bait for a nibble, you gently bring them to the surface by pulling in the string and scoop the crab out of the water. If you set up your lines in an area where the crabs are biting, you can easily occupy children for hours and maybe if you are lucky, bring home dinner, too!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Broadneck