Soft Shell Crab

At Hudson’s, we take pride in being the only restaurant on Hilton Head Island with an in-house shedding operation. This unique feature allows us to serve soft-shell crabs with a level of softness and freshness that is unmatched. We invite you to stop by from late March to early June to enjoy these amazing seasonal delicacies and witness our in-house shedding operation in action.

1. Family Tradition
   • Melanie Padgett, who grew up on the docks at Hudson’s, continues her family legacy. Her father, Racine Padgett, was one of Hudson’s commercial shrimpers in the 1970s and 1980s.
     
2. Setting the Crab Pots
   • Melanie and her husband Jim set crab pots using a male crab in the bait box instead of traditional menhaden.
   • The male crab releases a musk that attracts female crabs seeking to breed.
     
3. Breeding Behavior
   • Female crabs are highly motivated to breed because they can store the sperm of male crabs for multiple years.
     
4. Checking the Pots
   • Every other day, Melanie and Jim check the crab pots and bring “hot” crabs to the restaurant.
   • These “hot” crabs are identified by markings that show they are close to molting (shedding their shells).
     
5. Holding the Crabs
   • The crabs are kept in a specially constructed seawater system at the restaurant until they molt.
   • Staff watch the crabs around the clock (24 hours a day) until they shed their shells.
     
6. Catching Male Crabs
   • Separate pots are also set with traditional bait to catch male crabs that are close to molting.
     
7. Guest Experience
   • Visitors to the restaurant can watch this process firsthand in the packing house and learn more about it.
   • This rare opportunity to learn about the lifecycle of crabs and the meticulous care involved adds an educational and engaging element to the dining experience at Hudson’s.
8. Sustainability
   • Hudson’s prioritizes sustainable fishing and crabbing practices.
   • These methods help protect the Lowcountry ecosystem and maintain the health of local waters.
   • Our approach ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy the bounty of soft-shell crabs and other seafood.