Catching Crabs at Johnson's Bayou

A couple of weeks ago, Heidi, Alain, Camille and Myself along with friends and family took a day trip to the Holly Beach and Johnson's Bayou areas. Loaded down and prepared for a full day of catching blue crabs, we left home with a sense of adventure and great expectations.

Our 'crabbing' adventure did not end up to be very fruitful (as most crabs were very small). However, all of us had a good time. Nolan and Camille started off a little fearful and apprenhensive about being close to water and buckets that had these very angry, armored creatures with very strong and sharp claws vying to be the first to pinch their succulent little fingers. As the day wore on, both were desensitized by such boldness of these orange and blue crustaceans, and thought little of other potential predators lurking in the waters below (Al E. Gator, as I recall, was swimming right under the pier we were fishing off.) Heidi, Grace and Alain took to the task of catching crabs like old pros -- baiting the lines, pulling in the fiesty crabs and wielding dip nets to snatch the rascals up.

Around midday, we decided to go to the beach to cool off. Suprisingly for Cameron Parish, the water was clear and we did not feel any mud between our toes. Rusty and I both agreed that the beach and waters were pleasant and that we would consider bringing the kids here again. The 'Cajun Riveria', either through current changes or Hurricane Rita's influence, had sure come a long way from what I remember as a teen and early college student.

The little ones had plenty of activities to keep their interests high. At the beach, there was wading and swimming, sand castles and the obligatory 'sand-in-the-pants'. Crab catching and crab prodding in the buckets was fun. Laura's friend, Matt, brought a cast net that kept Alain and the others in awe wondering what type of fish or creature the next cast would produce. Checking out Al E. Gator and wondering where he was planning to pop up next kept everyone maintaining an alert and watchful eye.

The following day, we decided to boil the crabs with shrimp (we 'acquired' on the way home), corn, onions and potatoes. To make the meal go further, Louis made a courtbouillion with catfish and alligator gar (caught by Matt during on trip). Good eats were had by all!