Craw-Diving: Scuba Diving for Appetizers

While diving along the rock-strewn bottom of a small lake in western Montana, I am aware of the fact that something is observing me. Scrutinizing me with black, unblinking eyes from deep within the shadows of a rock outcropping, a Pacifastacus gambelii is agitated by my presence. With my game bag filled with his captured brethren, I slowly swim over his hiding place. Believing that I have past, he hesitantly crawls out of the opening. Too late he realizes his mistake and attempts to retreat, but I have blocked his path. As he tries to make a break for the open water, my hand closes securely around his body. He viciously claws at my finger tips, but to no avail. My gloves are too thick for him to inflict any pain. I open my game bag and unceremoniously drop him in, while thwarting the escape plans of the other prisoners. As I continue to make my ascent, I contemplate my dinner, while he contemplates his defeat.

Alright, I admit that was a bit over dramatic. But if anglers are allowed to tell their fishing stories, then we Craw-divers should be permitted to relate ours. You heard correct, craw-diving; a hand-to-claw battle with tasty crustaceans on their own turf, or surf in this case.

Why would anyone want to pursue this endeavor? Couldn't you just stand at your favorite lake or stream, dangle a bacon-baited hook, and pull them up? Sure, if you like standing there for hours and maybe catch 5 or 6 that are not worth eating. But diving for crayfish (or crawdads, as we call them) will get you down to where the large ones inhabit, and in abundant quantities. The juveniles tend to live in the shallower water, while the adult crayfish will move into the depths. On the above mentioned dive in Montana, my dive buddy and I went home with a 50 quart cooler so full of crawdads that the lid would barley shut. And we kept nothing less than 3 inches long, measuring from nose to tail.

I am aware that not everyone is a scuba diver, but with 9 million certified divers in the U.S., we all know somebody who scuba dives. So tell your diving friends that you are craving a crayfish dinner. For those of you who are scuba divers, there are also non-edible benefits to engaging in this activity. You get the opportunity to hone your diving skills, which include: buoyancy control, fining technique, navigation, night diving (crayfish are easier to find at night), and also altitude diving (most lakes in the U.S. are above 1,000 feet in elevation). In addition, I believe that diving with a purpose or goal is always more enjoyable then just sight seeing.

Now that you have decided to try your hand at craw-diving, what exactly are you looking for? Isn't a crayfish just a crayfish? Well, that would depend on where you live. There are over 300 species of crayfish that can be found in the United States. What you want are the species that are native to your region, and are of an abundant and stable variety. Most states will have a Department of Fish and Wildlife website or pamphlets that will provide you this information. Crayfish are a regulated animal, but most states, such as Washington and Oregon, do not require you to have a license to collect them. Though, usually there is a daily limit (it can be in pounds or in number caught), and you need to throw back any females that are carrying eggs or young. Please, find out your states requirements before you go craw-diving.

On to the hunt! Crayfish become more energetic as the water warms up. They are the most active in water temperatures of 50° or more. The recommended time of year to dive for crayfish is from late May through October. The time of day can also have an influence on your success. Adult crayfish primarily feed at dusk and through the night; this is when you will see them crawling around out in the open. You can have success during the day, as well, if you stay at lower depths (30 to 50 feet), are diving in water with low visibility, or don't mind flipping over many rocks. But for the ease of locating crayfish and for some added adventure, I suggest going on a night dive. In addition, try to find logs that are isolated on the bottom, this attracts the crayfish as the logs are an oasis of safety for them.

The best technique for catching crayfish during the daytime is to use the distraction method. Slowly move one hand towards the crayfish and then off to the side. To protect itself, the crayfish will keep its claws aimed at the moving hand. When it has turned to follow the movement, quickly reach in with your other hand and take hold of it by the back of the head. Crayfish are strong swimmers, so if you grab it by a leg or a claw, there is a good chance that it will break off and the crayfish gets away. If the crayfish happens escape your clutches, and swims away, do not go chasing after it. They will not swim farther than just a few feet, if they are not being pursued. Wait for it to settle, then slowly swim up to it and try again. At night, you can use the same method, but with a dive light as the distraction. Crayfish are attracted to the light, and will follow the beam, enabling you to easily snatch them up.

Searching for crayfish is an absorbing and physical activity; so there are a few safety issues to be conscience of while diving. One concern is with yo-yo diving. This is when you dive to a depth, then ascend, and then descend again several times for the duration of the same dive. You run the risk of creating a situation of decompression sickness (or the bends). The wisest course is to start the dive at your maximum bottom depth, which for crayfish is about 50 feet, and then work your way back up to the shallows as you hunt. Another concern is air consumption. Unlike a typical dive, with craw-diving you exert extra energy from having to swim at a faster pace, and from picking up and moving rocks and logs. This obviously will make you breath harder, thereby depleting your air supply faster than normally expected. Always use the one-third air rule: a third of your air for the descent, a third for the ascent, and a third in reserve for emergencies.

Unless you are planning to eat the crayfish right on the beach, you will need to keep them alive and fresh as long as possible. The absolute best method is to keep the crayfish in a cooler layered with wet aquatic grass or plants. You need to add just enough water to keep the plants damp, and to be sure to keep your cooler in the shade. They should stay alive for two to three days. If you need to keep them longer, then store them in the refrigerator. Freshness is never an issue if they are cooked before they die. There is no shortage of tasty crayfish recipes to be found, so try them all. My personal favorite is a Cajun-style boil, and then dipping the meat in garlic butter.

I recommend that every scuba diver should attempt craw-diving at least once in their life. I will guarantee you that once you have experienced the thrill of the hunt, you will be addicted. And don't mind that your friends will be slapping your back in thanks with their butter and crayfish covered hands.