Fresh Crab

[Ritchie23]

How can you tell if you have a bad crab or the crab wasn't fresh

[mfewell]

Would it smell a bit odd ?  No help, but for me the most important thing would be - if in any doubt at all, don't eat it. A friend of mine was very very ill after catching a fresh crab at Brighton and eating it after taking it home in a very hot car (about 2 hours). He is an experienced fisherman too.