The ocean crabbing season (the commercial season) is officially closed from Aug. 15 until around Dec. 1. In the fall they are likely to be light and stringy, as they fill in their new shells. By the winter, they are usually full and heavy. That being said, it is legal to crab in the bays and estuaries here year round. And I’ve seen people haul up quite a few, off the dock in September and October. I would wait to get your shellfish license, and first ask at the marina, to get the latest on bait, tides and the like. If the crabbing has been poor, then you won’t have wasted your money on licenses, traps, boat rental, etc. Good luck!