TALL TIMBERS, MD — As a sort of initiation to the area, I met with Lance Lumpkins, of Maryland Crab and Fish, to discuss his business in the crabbing industry. I had no idea what I was getting into.

Side note: I moved to the area three months ago and aside from mass produced seafood, I have never torn into a steamed crab or even held one of them.

I drove to Tall Timbers, and found the business location for Maryland Crab and Fish. Crab cages line the driveway, and there is a huge pile of oyster shells to the right of me. I find Lance’s office and meet up with the young guy to talk shop about what he is wanting to do with his business.

“Maryland Crab and Fish is my part in the business. My father owns, Goldeneye Seafood. I have been crabbing and fishing all my life,” said Lance.

He told me that he is in the process of creating an online portal for individuals to purchase wholesale and steamed crabs. His business clientele is currently retailers and local restaurants.

“You won’t find any fresher crabs than here and this year has been the best year in the last eight for crabbing. They’re bigger and more numerous than ever,” said Lance.

He discussed prices for crabs by the bushel, and I was amazed by the prices in which his company is willing to sell crabs by that amount.

“You would get about six to eight dozen crabs for bushel. I’m wanting to sell them uncooked at $130 a bushel, where some competition will sell them for up to $250 a bushel,” said Lance.

He mentioned that his and his father’s company has so much product to sell to the community, it is a smart move to offer his product directly to the public at a fair price.

“We have about 12 to 15 employees helping us at any point, so we’re a smaller local business. We have plenty to offer from April to December. And the crabs are bigger and cheaper as the season continues. Some people seem to think that crabs aren’t available after Labor Day, which isn’t true,” said Lance.

He gave me a brief tour of the facilities, to which I mentioned it reminded me of the Discovery Channel show “Deadliest Catch.” After showing me a refrigerated unit filled with bushels of live crab, he pulled one open. With crabs waving their claws and wiggling out of the bushel, he grabbed a more feisty specimen and showed me how to hold the blue crab. He then let me grab a soft crab, which felt plump to the touch. I could tell that crab would be good to eat based on how it felt in my hand. 

As I have not yet tried any Maryland crabs yet, I wasn’t sure the best way to consume a crab. I asked him the best way to prepare and eat them, to which he answered, “Steamed crabs, cold beer, and good friends at a crab feast are the best way.”

For more information about Maryland Crab and Fish, check out their Facebook page or call 240-434-3265. 

Contact Jacqui Atkielski at j.atkielski@thebaynet.com.