Praying For Stone Crabs

Stone crabbing is a family affair for Richard Collins.

His boat, named after his mother, Karen Sue, was lined up behind his father's boat Saturday for the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Barron River dock outside the historic Rod & Gun Club in Everglades City.

Collins' uncle and cousin also were in the line of more than 10 boats blessed with flower petals, holy water and prayer to honor the crab fishing crews that are gearing up this week for another season of crabbing, a Collier County tradition.

Stone crab season runs from Oct. 15 to May 15. Fishermen can start putting traps in the water Oct. 5. And Collins, 45, can't wait to get back on the water.

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