Jul 9, 2014

Tracking down Chesapeake Blue Crabs is easier said than done. These creatures have a mind of their own, and can easily migrate tens of miles a day. So naturally the chase becomes part of the job.

Here’s a look down memory lane at some retro crabbing photos from The Sun’s photo archives.

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: A big ol’ Maryland crab. Sept. 8, 1968. (A. Aubrey Bodine, Sun photo)

: Olden Bradshaw brings in a days catch to his crab shack at Rhodes Point on Smith Island. (July 7, 1977, Sun photo)

: Bill Meyers crabs from his pier with Dundalk Marin Terminal in background. (Perry Thorsvik, July 16, 1992, Sun photo)

: Bobby and Pete Sweitzer with the day’s slim catch. Sept 8, 1968. (A. Aubrey Bodine, Sun photo)

: Matt Friesser loads up another bushel of Chesapeake Bay crabs while boss Diane Eurice watches. Her husband Bob, who crabs out of Bowle’s Quarters area on Middle River says his territory like others is glutted with crabs this year. (Jed Kirschbaum, Aug. 10, 1979, Sun photo)

: steam rising from the cookers of a crab picking house on Virginia’s Northern Neck. (A. Aubrey Bodine, May 6, 1990, Sun photo)

: Crisfield Somers Cove Marina. Pat and Melvin Cutchall eat crabs at the annual Tawes crab and clam bake. (Jed Kirschbaum, July 20, 1989, Sun photo)

: John Johnson and friends with net wading in the middle branch. (June 21, 1991, Sun photo)

: Waterman Bob Eurice left and young helpers unload baskets f crabs from his boat Miss Diane named after his wife at Bowley’s Quarters dock. (Ralph L. Robinson, Aug. 11, 1976, Sun photo)

: Baltimore Sun photo, April 29, 1954

: Maryanna Wenger holds a Maryland crab as Helen Biltsinitis and Donna Walker look on. (Sept. 2, 1979, Sun photo)

: Bill Meyers crabs from his pier with Dundalk Marin Terminal in background. (Perry Thorsvik, July 16, 1992, Sun photo)

: No matter how early in the day at least a few anglers can be spotted on the Hanover street bridge. Telephone poles and bridge piers form a pattern under them. (Lloyd Pearson, June 9, 1969, Sun photo)