For most of the country, October means changing leaves, cooler temperatures and pumpkin spice.
In Miami, October means stone crab.
And October 5 marks one of our favorite milestones of the year: stone crab traps begin going into Florida waters ahead of the official opening of stone crab season on October 15.
The boats are heading out. The traps are going in. And the countdown is officially on.
October 5: The Work Begins on the Water
Florida stone crab season officially runs from October 15 through May 1, but the story starts before the first claws can be harvested. Holy Crab's fishermen can begin placing stone crab traps in the water as early as October 5.
Those ten days are part of what makes the beginning of stone crab season so special.
Before fresh claws make their way to dinner tables across Miami and the rest of the country, fishermen are out on the water preparing for another season in the Florida Keys.
Want to learn more about the dates, harvesting process and season? Read our complete guide to when Florida stone crab season begins.
Miami New Times: Stone Crab Is Miami's Real Fall Tradition
We aren't the only ones counting down.
Miami New Times recently featured stone crab season as a quintessential Miami fall tradition — because South Florida has never needed changing leaves to know a new season has arrived.
Here, fall looks like boats on the water, traps going in and the anticipation of fresh Florida stone crab claws returning to the table.
Read the Miami New Times article: Stone Crab Season Is the Real Miami Fall Tradition
10 Days Until Florida Stone Crab Season
October 5 is just the beginning.
On October 15, Florida stone crab season officially opens, and Holy Crab will once again bring fresh, never-frozen Florida Keys stone crab claws to customers across the country. Holy Crab says its claws are caught and cooked daily from the Florida Keys and are never frozen.
Until then, we'll be watching the water.
The traps are going in. Stone crab season is almost here. 🦀
October 5: Traps go in.
October 15: Stone crab is back.
