Finding hermit crabs

Question
How and where can I find hermit crabs naturally.  I spend my weekends at a
New Jersey beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Is it possible for me to find crabs on
the beach?  If so when, where and what do I need to look for in order to find
them?

Answer
The only crabs you are likely to find in New Jersey are marine hermit crabs that need to live in a salt water aquarium.

Purple Pinchers can be found in Florida (the only place in the US) but harvesting crabs from local beaches without a permit is currently illegal in the US and most other countries.

As to technique, I couldn't help you there, I've never seen land hermit crabs in their natural environment.

Good luck!