Pacific Rock Crab

Dark purplish-red to brick-red carapace with distinctive black-tipped claws. Nine teeth on each side of the carapace with sharp tips. Adults reach 5–7 inches across — larger than Graceful Rock Crab. Claws are strong and proportionally large.\n\n

Best Baits: Crab snares, ring nets, traps, and hand-picking from rocks at low tide. Baited with fish carcasses or chicken.\n\n

A reliable crab when Dungeness are out of season or unavailable. The meat is excellent — similar to Dungeness. Black claw tips are the key field mark for identification.