Catch a Blue Claw Crab

Catch Blue Claw crabs easily and without spending too much time.

Steps

Purchase a crab pot. Check local state laws for specific details. Some states needed for them to be turtle proof, other states require an exit hole for undersized crabs. Some say that a small cake pan is more efficient.
Acquire bait. The best bait is Bunker, a fish that can be purchased at any bait and tackle shop along the coastal areas. Chicken parts are a good second.
Be sure to have a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} length of cord and a buoy. You can get cord anywhere and a buoy can be purchased at a bait and tackle shop or convert a fairly large cleaning solution jug.
Bait the crab pot with a single bunker. Cutting the fish in half can increase the smell in the water.
Set your trap. You can go in any salt water bay area from the shore or off a dock and drop the crab pot in the water. Crab pots are repeating traps so they can be checked periodically throughout the day or left to sit for 24 hours.
When first testing an area you may want to check the pot in 20 - 30 minutes to see if there are crabs in the area.
Notice that the best areas for crabs are where the water is moving. Often the head of a lagoon or inlet does not have a flow and crabs to not enter the area.

This is catching crabs by hand on a sing line (or string) with bait tied to the end of it - usually chicken necks.

When you get to your crabbing spot, tie one end of a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} line on to your stick.
Tie a piece of your bait securely at the other end of your line.
Drop your bait into the water holding securely onto your stick.
Wait for the tug of the crab eating your bait.
When you feel a nibble, slowly raise the line to the surface. Go slowly and try not to scare the crab. Gently reel in your line wrapping it around your stick until the crab is hanging in the air.
Either drop the crab into your bucket or use your net to grab your prey and then drop it in the bucket from the net.
Crabs should not be without water or air for too long. Crabs can live in coolers with ice because the ice slows down their system. Never cook and eat a dead crab. Eat your crabs the same day that you catch them.

Be sure to have bait with you when you check the traps.
Rules vary from state to state in terms of pot construction, identification and size of crabs you can harvest. Be sure to read a copy of the rules in your state.
It is better to use a crab container than a bucket. Buckets don't allow good air flow
Set traps at the mouth of salt water creeks as they enter a larger body of water.
Some people like to steam and bring the entire crab to the table. You may prefer to clean the crabs at the dock immediately before cooking. It makes a much neater meal at the table - and just as tasty!

Do not eat any crabs that are dead in your basket or bucket that you keep them in after catching, it is not worth the risk.
Crabs will hurt if they pinch you regardless of size. Use a pair of tongs to pick them up.

A line (ball of string) - string is easy on the hands to control and pull in - and the crabs really don't care what you use.
A small stick - (maybe 8-12 inches long) to tie your line to
Bait - raw chicken necks or raw fish heads. Most local grocery stores carry chicken parts you can use for crabbing. Some crabbers swear by bull lips. Others use salted eel. Bait shops and dockside fish markets will also sell you leftover fish heads. Crabs will pretty much eat any uncooked meat but these are what most people use.
A small net - to help wrangle those ornery critters
A cooler, a tall bucket, or a bushel basket with a lid - for your catch - Some folks keep their crabs in a live well in the water, which helps them to live longer.
Gloves - to wear when handling the crabs
A buddy - because two sets of hands are better than one - and it is always more fun and safer on the water with a friend along.
A ruler - or some other way to measure the size of your catch.