Crabbing

[mthieme]

So hows the crabbing this year?
Been slow in the Magothy.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Crabbing

It's been pretty decent in the Choptank

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Crabbing

Slow on the Bush river heard the same for the gunpowder

 

[BIGBLOCK50]

Re: Crabbing

its been ok down here in southern maryland near broomes island

 

[gonefishin485]

Re: Crabbing

hell, down here in south louisiana, there PLENTYFUL i went out to port fourchon two weeks ago, and in 2 hours i was heading home with a 50qt ice chest stuffed to the brim!

turkey necks on lift nets, had a dozen nets, would walk out in the surf to get them, dump them into a number 3 galvanized wash tub, three trips out picking up nets and i had an ice chest full, and as me and the ol lady were walking back to the truck, we noticed EVERYBODY had ice chests full of crabs!

 

[Rock Hall]

Re: Crabbing

I'm on the Chester and up until last week, it's been pretty bad. A couple of guys did ok last weekend. It sounds like it's been slow north of the bridge and normal south of the bridge. I've been fighting with my outboard this year and havent been out much. I normally run a 1000' line, but it's been so slow this year, we decided to just throw out some traps. I think I have the motor straightened out. Maybe we will get out Sunday and see what happens. It sure isnt like it used to be.
Mark

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Crabbing

I seen a recent update from the Maryland DNR and they were saying recreational crabbers were pulling in a half bushel in a few hours in the bush and gunpowder river over the weekend. I dont know what crack they are smoking, I have not seen anything close to that over the last 2 weekends and watched alot of people pulling up empty lines/traps..I will try again mid september

Denny

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: Crabbing

I ran the line today, got 3/4 bushel in about 3 hours. went out in the potomac river near the benedict launch.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

I went out crabbing with my neighbor yesterday. We managed to snag 90 crabs in about 3 hours. Banner day. We only expected to catch less than 2 dozen. We speculated if we went to the same spot today, same time, etc...we'd get skunked.
Hopefully it's picking up.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Crabbing

Ran the trot line yesterday. Picked up a little over a bushel in about 1 1/2 hours

 

[Rock Hall]

Re: Crabbing

The reports I heard from the Chester were very good this weekend. 3hrs 2 bushels. I was tied up this weekend, but plant to get out this coming weekend.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

She's broke loose here in the past week.
We're filling the basket in 3 hours now.

 

[Rock Hall]

Re: Crabbing

Same here up in the Chester. Half Bushell Friday in 2 hrs. (missed a lot).
Full Bushel Sat. And we went out at noon. Smaller than previous years, but plenty of action. Hope it stays hot for a while.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

She's broke loose.
My neighbor took 90 Thursday, 100 Friday.
I went out this morning and brought back 70.
We've been working pretty shallow - 4'-5'.

I saw two commercial boats in the river this morning.
I haven't seen those guys in months.
One had a line in 6-7' and another in the middle of the river - about 14'.
Dunno how well he did.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Crabbing

We are putting a trot line together as we speak. I never thought how much work tying 200 slip knots is. We just started the crabbing thing a month ago and used traps..sounds like a trot line is the way to go..This weekend im going to bait the line and freeze it. What is the best bait that can be eaisily found(turkey necks-chicken backs). I live in pa so eel and bull lips are out of the question also how much bait do you put on each knot?? We are heading back to the Bush river area on sept 5,6,7, Hope the crabbing is still hot.
Denny

 

[Rock Hall]

Re: Crabbing

I use about 900 feet of line. I space my bait about 5 foot. I use chicken necks. Lately, I've been buying them at the grocery store for about .35-.40 a lb. I used to buy them from a processor for .27 a lb, but the hassle is not worth the savings. A grocery store should be able to get you a 40lb case within a couple of days. I cut my necks at least in half, some in thirds. The reason I do this is because a very experienced crabber once told me that a crab is less likely to go after bait that looks too big to pick up and run with. My experience does seem to verify this. When I pull a line in the larger necks seem to be untouched.
Try to keep your line straight and fairly taught. Thats where we have the most problems. After a few runs, the line gets bowed. Make sure your anchor weights dig in and dont move. Go as slow as possible when running the line. Try to crab when the tide is moving, it will be more productive. I DO NOT reuse my bait. Many people do. There is no doubt that you will get more action with fresh bait.
Good Luck

 

[INJUN]

Re: Crabbing

Not bad for blue crabs, considering my location

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Crabbing

The Wye has been so-so the last few times out. We get a bushel, but it takes all day to do it and they are smaller right now than they were back in Mid June-Mid/Late July. We'll keep going, cause a few small crabs are better than no crabs at all.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

I heard is was slow in the Wye and below.
Last week I read in the crab wrapper that the oxygen was low - nothing on the bottom. They cited tests in the Magothy where I am.
This explains why I'm catching them in 4'.
Funny, last time I was out, there was a commercial boat working 6-7' and he also had a line in 14'...he didn't do so good. You figure those guys would know better.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Crabbing

We were going to leave for the Bush river on Friday but since the storm is going to mess up Saturday, I decided to take today off and we are leaving today and plan to pull out of the Bush(no pun intended) on sat morning.

We plan on staying out on the water the whole time. I will let you know how it went. This is our last opportunity this year to head down so Im going to try to make it work. Hopefully the weather will hold off.
Denny