The Race For the Sweet, White Crab Meat - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

HALF MOON BAY - It's the white, sweet and succulent meat you fight so hard to get a crack at, and that's just when it's on your dinner plate.

Commercial crab fishermen are working long hours and exhausting their bodies as they gear up for Thursday's opening of crab season. CBS news San Francisco reports vessels large and small are starting to assemble pots at places like Moss Landing and Half Moon Bay to catch Dungeness crabs.

CBS San Francisco says opening day comes 13 days after recreational fishermen headed into the water to catch the crustaceans. The season runs through June 2013.

As of Dec. 1, the season will open for the northern coast up to the Oregon border.