Answer
Blue crabs molt their hard shells and are harvested briefly as soft-shells for sandwiches and platters—availability windows move with water temperature. Menus advertise “soft-shell special” when local processors supply them. Eat them soon after purchase; they do not keep like hard crabs.
Sources: Maryland DNR · Visit Ocean City
Editorial visitor guidance for Ocean City, Maryland. Confirm current Town of Ocean City, Maryland DNR, NPS Assateague, and NWS rules when regulations or safety apply.
