Summertime Crabbing on Louisiana's Creole Nature Trail: Timeless Family Adventures
Photo credit: www.monsoursphotography.net
Growing up in Lake Charles, some of my fondest childhood memories unfolded along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road with my family. Winters brought duck hunting, hearty gumbo, and fireworks on Johnson's Bayou beach. But summers were for fishing, frog hunting, Gulf of Mexico swims, and roadside crabbing.
Dad baited our crab lines with raw chicken melt or turkey necks. We'd secure the string to a dock or a stick driven into the ground, then toss the bait into the water. When the line tightened, my brother and I raced to see who would reel it in and who wielded the dip net.
We took turns, but I loved pulling the line—slowly, inch by inch, until the crab emerged just below the surface. Then my brother would swiftly scoop it up with the net.
With a few dozen crabs in our vintage aluminum tub, we'd head home for a classic crab boil. Dad fired up the burner, boiling water with butter and spices, while we kids spread newspapers over the patio table. Hours of storytelling followed as we peeled and savored fresh Louisiana blue crabs outdoors.
Ready to try crabbing yourself? Check out this video tutorial for beginner tips.
