10/23/2026
At 4 a.m., while most of us are sound asleep, the docks of Solomons are already bustling with activity. Watermen are preparing their boats, inspecting equipment, loading bait and baskets, and getting ready for another long day on the Chesapeake Bay. All to bring fresh seafood to our tables.
I had the honor of joining Crystal and her crew aboard the Under Pressure for a day of crabbing on the Chesapeake.
Crystal and her hardworking crew catch our famous Chesapeake Bay blue crabs. And let me tell you, it isn't easy work! It's physically demanding, and once they get started, they hardly stop. Nine hours of nearly constant work, hauling crab pots, sorting crabs, and moving from one line to the next.
But there is something magical about being out on the Chesapeake Bay in those early morning hours. Watching the sun rise over the water was breathtaking. Seeing the majestic Calvert Cliffs rising above the shoreline was unforgettable.
For me, the experience was about more than catching crabs. It was a reminder of the generations of watermen who have worked these waters, the traditions they have passed down, and the incredible amount of hard work that goes into something we often take for granted.
I came away with an even greater appreciation for our local watermen and the important role they play in Southern Maryland's history, culture, and community.
Crystal's Seafood will be holding a drawing next week, and this is your LAST weekend to enter!
Purchase a bushel of crabs from Crystal's Seafood and you'll be entered for a chance to win a FREE bushel of crabs AND free historical ghost tours of Solomons!
If you haven't enjoyed Chesapeake Bay crabs in the fall, you're missing out. Fall crabs are wonderfully heavy and absolutely delicious!
