Crabbing

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

I'll be out Monday morning with my nephew.
I've noticed just today the algae has eased up - the headwaters are green instead of brown. Between this and the storm coming through, I might work a little deeper.

 

[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

We just got back caught 12 crab yesterday afternoon and did 59 today. Had a few issues withn the new trot line alot to get use to, and lost 5 traps due to my wifes driving anyway we had a great time slept out on the water it was nice. The bush river was faily buisy today..I guess alot of people trying to get some crabbing in before the storm.
Denny

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Crabbing

I'll be out Monday morning with my nephew.
I've noticed just today the algae has eased up - the headwaters are green instead of brown. Between this and the storm coming through, I might work a little deeper.

We tried different depths we found 4-6' produced the best for us today. we tried 8-15 with little results. Most of the boats I seen were doing the deeper water, It did not seem like they were doing any good either. Like you said this storm will push em deep.
Denny

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

Sounds like fun. I'm envious.
You have a lot of pickin' to do.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Crabbing

Sounds like fun. I'm envious.
You have a lot of pickin' to do.

It was to late when we got back last night so we steamed them and put them on ice. we picked most of them this morning. I wanted to save most of the meat for crab cakes but it did not work out to good (yummy in my tummy). we will pick and eat the rest tomorrow during the game.
Denny

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

We brought home 80 crabs.
I picked about 5# for crab cakes...they're in the skillet now.
They've moved deeper...7-8'.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Crabbing

We brought home 80 crabs.
I picked about 5# for crab cakes...they're in the skillet now.
They've moved deeper...7-8'.

Outstanding!!!!! now I envy you.. Im done for the year in the bay. We will do it again next year for sure
Denny

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

Done ?!?!?!??
It's mid season and they're kickin' butt!
The last two years ran halfway into November.
I usually pack it in when the water gets close to 60 degrees.
They're pretty much back down the bay by then.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Crabbing

Done ?!?!?!??
It's mid season and they're kickin' butt!
The last two years ran halfway into November.
I usually pack it in when the water gets close to 60 degrees.
They're pretty much back down the bay by then.

I know. the next couple of weekends are clogged up with kids sports and stuff. This is the time of year my boating usually ends. i might make it out to the Susquahanna near my home.

In the bay where we put in is a hour and a half out.
Denny

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: Crabbing

So mtheime, did you end up crabbing into november this year? I wanted to get some trips in in the fall, but my schedule got really busy so I never made it out. I had a short summer crabbing season (it was my first too) the axle on my trailer broke in the beginning of july and I didn't get it repaired till august.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

I forget exactly when my last trip was. I know I was out the last week of October...might have spilled into the first week of November.
I remember the water temperature being about 64 my last trip out and wearing a jacket.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Crabbing

always good when temps are good

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

Maybe down there.
This year late July and through August they dropped off.
When they started picking back up they were in 4' of water which is not typical, but that's where the oxygen was. Mid September through October they were jumping in the boat! - after it cooled down just a little and the oxygen sucking algae disappeared.
The Chesapeake is in bad shape ecologically though...adds to the challenge.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Crabbing

We made our last run in mid-november this year ( most years we don't quit on the crabs til the crabs quit on us- weather be damned) and we caught two bushels in 15 -20' on a 800' trotline. Took from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. and we were out at the mouth of the Wye. The only reason it was the last run is the boat started acting up on the way back in and by the time it's fixed the crabbing will be over for sure. The crabs were mostly 6.5"-8" with maybe a dozen just over the 5.25" minimum. It was a good day over all. Chilly start, but it warmed up some. The nice thing about late season is the water gets clearer and you can see the crabs come up sooner.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: Crabbing

Thats a good pile of crabs. Since my season got cut short last year I'm gettin excited for this season already!

 

[mthieme]

Re: Crabbing

I'm always ready !!!
Gotta few things to do to the skiff before next season, tune-up, impeller, charging stator and/or rectifier, install bow rails, and especially install the bimini.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: Crabbing

I've got about the same plans. impeller, tune up, and new bottom paint.