Other Crabbers

[HooknFish]

Anyone have trouble with people being to close to you when crabbing? I went out Saturday, caught a nice full bushel on trotline. did not want to stop. There were people with traps and other trotliners very close. What should I do about it?

[Capt. Dale]

As long as they are 100' feet away they are legal, That includes traps.
You might try putting out some traps 100' from your trotline:confused:

[done workin]

100' seems very close on the water as there is very little to judge distance by. If you have a problem, call DNR and hope they are in the area as their resources are very limited.

I normally carry a range finder with just to help settle those arguments. Of course settling them requires that one person admit he or she is wrong, and sometimes that doesn't happen.

I actually spent a few minutes talking to one of DNR's officers Sat AM on the South River after he did a spot inspection on me and the boat due to a call from the commercial crabber that was next to me reporting that somebody was too close to his line.

Turns out it was the other rec at the far end of his line. The officer said he normally carries his rangefinder for the same reason. He also said the best arguments are between trotliners over who was there first. Yes, he actually has to settle those arguments.

Just a word of caution to all, Lights must be on until sunrise. I learned this Sat AM.

Chris

[petekilch]

100' seems very close on the water as there is very little to judge distance by. If you have a problem, call DNR and hope they are in the area as their resources are very limited.

I normally carry a range finder with just to help settle those arguments. Of course settling them requires that one person admit he or she is wrong, and sometimes that doesn't happen.

I actually spent a few minutes talking to one of DNR's officers Sat AM on the South River after he did a spot inspection on me and the boat due to a call from the commercial crabber that was next to me reporting that somebody was too close to his line.

Turns out it was the other rec at the far end of his line. The officer said he normally carries his rangefinder for the same reason. He also said the best arguments are between trotliners over who was there first. Yes, he actually has to settle those arguments.

Just a word of caution to all, Lights must be on until sunrise. I learned this Sat AM.

Chris

Done Workin....... Do you have red/orange floats and one of them was close to the red channel marker??? We saw DNR Sat. am spending a lot of time with a trot liner not far from us..........

Pete

[chcltlabz]

We had a guy this weekend set up right next to our line with a bunch of nets. He was probably 100 feet, but this was on a huge flat and there wasn't anyone else around. Could have found a spot a little further away.

[Butthead]

let me play devils advocate for a minute....

If you caught a basket of crabs, I'd say you did pretty well considering most of the reports I'm reading.

If they werent interfering with you running your gear...then why do you care?? We had a buddy invite us over to where he was catching a couple weeks ago because we were striking out....he is a man that knows a little someting about crabs, and he told us to lay on either side of him....It didnt affect his catching at all, and we were well within 100 feet...because we were invited.

If a person lays 100 feet away from you, I would have a very hard time believing that the scent from his bait is going to draw your crabs away. Thats a long way to expect scent to carry in the water from chicken necks. Alewives or clams may be different, but chicken loses its oily-ness very quickly....you should lay your line in an area where crabs are traveling and will come across your bait.

sorry...didnt mean to turn this into "crabbing according to butthead". I just wondered why you would care when it seems like you had a nice morning with a good catch.

[HooknFish]

No I was not near a channel, I was in about 5' of water, I had a guy on one side with traps and another on the other side with trotline. He was so close the guy that was with me had to keep reminding me to watch for the other boat. The guy with traps kept riding over my trot line until I started out in his direction, then I think he figured out what he was doing.

[Boatdog]

A while back I would crab up in Bear Creek. I used handlines and would get out there first. At first I would anchor parallel to shore. I had people drop their trot lines so close I could dip for them when they went by. When I would say something to them, they would tell I was there to early or some othe BS excuse. I called DNR, no one was ever on duty.

One day, I was setting up about 0300, here comes DNR out of the marina. He saw me throw my anchors and thought I was setting a trot line. You should have seen the look in his eyes he thought he had me, While he was there, I asked him what I should do about the problem I was having. He told me to anchor at a 90 to shore. I changed and achored at a 90, wich works better for me, I could change depths without moving my anchors.

About 2 hours later I was on the radio calling DNR. The same officer showed up about 40 minutes later. As soon as the officer pulled up the other crabber came racing over and said he was there first. The officer looked at the guys floats and asked me to pull up my anchors. It seemed as though I set my anchors, both front and back, under this guys trot lines.

I hung around for about 30 minutes cleaning up, before heading out to do some fishing. The more the guy ran his mouth the more the officer would find to write.

[Doggydaddy]

The wife & I wanted to crab the Wye a couple years ago, we stopped & asked a fellow which direction he was going with his traps so we didn't interfere with his set up he was friendly & told us so we had an area for our trotline, after about an hour some honyok & his wife motor up & drop traps across our trotline....I told him he was too close & that was illegal the goofball did the same thing to the fellow with traps & he told him the same thing but the guy never moved so we did.

[Mike J]

Considering all the video electronics I imagine it won't be long until someone posts video of their issues. I wish I had video of last year when a comm told me to move my gear because he was going to drag his lines from a nearby area into that area about mid morning and then proceded to drive up in down my trotline set in shallow water after dropping on either side of me after I did not move. It was unbelievable and childish. I finally decided to pick up and move to avoid confrontation but I was surprised since he had seemed friendly in past times and even waived occasionally. I was nowhere near him to start but he seemed ticked off at the world because I messed up his plans for the day. I would of loved to have video of that to post for everyone to see. For now on i carry a small video camera as well as my camera phone along with DNR #. And I know it has happened plenty of times the other way around so comm. don't get all bent out of shape it just caught me off guard because he was completely neglecting the rules. That was the only time I have ever had an issue with any crabber and hopefully the last.

[crabberlig]

I know the law says 100' but I have always used a 100 yards as a guide. So much water out there (even at the Wye) just give me a little space. If someone invades my space I usually just shrug it off. Most of the time I end up moving my gear. But usually once a year someone just sends me over the edge and I lose it. You usually don't want to be on the other end of it.
I try to be as curtious as possible and even if I'm a 100 yards or more away I usually make sure I'm not bothering my fellow crabber.
Everyone on this board knows that 100 feet is really too close. I have never met an experienced crabber encroach, they usually ask if they are to close. If they ask I'll usually tell them they can put their traps right in between mine. Being curtious always goes a long way.

[27 sailfish]

When I used to run a trotline - now/then someone would set up too close.

When asked nicely - they had no trouble moving. I'll bet it is an accident or they do not know the new laws.

Taking a few minutes to explain everything will often sort out the trouble.

[crabberlig]

Sailfish said in 20 words what took me 100.

[Dave Jr.]

I don't crab around crowds. There really is no need to. It takes away from the experience and just creates problems. If I see a crowded area, I go the other way and it usually pays off. Try a new spot and enjoy.

[temgejr]

I guess it all depends on the circumstances..... If I go out to Kent Narrows on a holiday weekend I expect it to be crowded and don't mind if other crabbers are close as long as I don't have to dodge their boat or line when I am trying to run our traps. However if there are only 2 boats in the river or creek... I expect some space.

[petekilch]

When I used to run a trotline - now/then someone would set up too close.

When asked nicely - they had no trouble moving. I'll bet it is an accident or they do not know the new laws.

Taking a few minutes to explain everything will often sort out the trouble.

VERY WELL STATED !!!! Great advice.

Pete

[Pinchy03]

sometimes things can get tight especially when there are trap lines zig zagged all throughout the water for a couple 1000 ft. I run line and sometimes you end up getting too close to a trap or two just b/c they are out of line a little bit with the rest of their run. As long as I can move around safely and no one is restricting each other while in the pulling/running process I dont really have a problem.

[done workin]

Done Workin....... Do you have red/orange floats and one of them was close to the red channel marker??? We saw DNR Sat. am spending a lot of time with a trot liner not far from us..........


Pete


Yeah Pete, that was me. The first stop was just the safety, license check, the second stop and the long one was when he stopped back to tell me that I was OK and it was the other guy that was too close. We just spent alot of time shooting the bull. Apparently the other guy set his trotline float within spitting distance of the commercial's.

How visible were those floats? I downsized everything to fit everything into my Whaler, but the lower unit's not working on it so I had to bring the other boat.

Were you by the duck blind?

Chris

[petekilch]

Pete


Yeah Pete, that was me. The first stop was just the safety, license check, the second stop and the long one was when he stopped back to tell me that I was OK and it was the other guy that was too close. We just spent alot of time shooting the bull. Apparently the other guy set his trotline float within spitting distance of the commercial's.

How visible were those floats? I downsized everything to fit everything into my Whaler, but the lower unit's not working on it so I had to bring the other boat.

Were you by the duck blind?

Chris

Yeah Chris, that was me by the duck blind. We were on my buddies boat, he wanted to take it and shake the bugs out. We thought that guy spent a lot of time with you (during primo dipping time too) !!! Your floats are awesome, very visable. The man never batted an eye at us ????? My brother was on the East side of us, he has his comm lic.

Pete

[rockinfish]

you guys cant complain too much, love when i have the chance to get over and crab in md, much easier than dealing with all the dunkards in IR bay, ....went last sat, set 1600', went to my truck, forgot the most important thing, .,..coffee, came back, on one end of my line, another crabber ran his line over top mine, which because I wasn’t around for 20 min i didn’t give him a hard time, just asked him to move, about an hr later, a trapper came and started dropping right down my line when I was running it, wow, think the guy was actually using my far float as a plot,
IR bay is infested with retards, pontoon boats, and jet skis, .......and people who just don’t give a f....seems like if you want to go crabbing, need to take the man with you anymore,
Don’t understand why people have to get sooooo freakin close, plenty of water, show others respect by not crowding them, if you see they are doing good, beat them to the spot next time .....hurry up warm water, ready to get offshore and not for sharks or bluefish
Cant wait for some gaffer action:eatdrink:

[BowMovements]

Guys It will definitly be amature hour out there this year. As Sailfish stated a calm word at first usually works. Unless of coarse they are total d**k heads. Then if you feel the need a quick radio in to the boy's in Brown. If they are a no show (which is likely) and they are dangerously close be the bigger man/woman and move slightly. Confrontations on the water can be dangerous if not deadly. To some, it is as if laws don't apply on the water. Here is a little trick I picked up. Tie a couple of dumby floats up and attach some weights to them drop them off around your gear to look like traps or another line. It works and it's legal. Other comm's (not me) use this technique to stake grounds but they leave them out all the time which is illegal because it is considered gear. TMI??? Oh Well.

[BowMovements]

Because they keep them out 24/7 to make it look like there is a line in the water. Thus attempting to stake ground. Gear must be out of the water sundown, and cant be laid until an hour before sunrise for comm's. The exceptions being pots which must be put out past the crab line bouy. But there aren't any recs out there any way. There was a discussion on this before I believe it was on here. Can anyone confirm?

[crabbyd]

Because they keep them out 24/7 to make it look like there is a line in the water. Thus attempting to stake ground. Gear must be out of the water sundown, and cant be laid until an hour before sunrise for comm's. The exceptions being pots which must be put out past the crab line bouy. But there aren't any recs out there any way. There was a discussion on this before I believe it was on here. Can anyone confirm?

BM

The law states one who is running commercial lines can not "harvest" before one hour of sunrise (except April, May, Oct, Nov, Dec where it is sunrise) and for 10 hours. It never states when a line can go into the water. It legally can stay there 24/7.

[BowMovements]

Thanks for the input. Is it proper to lay a line near dumby bouys? If the line isn't in the water and the bouys are just a way of making it look like there is a line what is the proper route to take? Since there is no ownership of spots to crab. Just a question.

Oh and thanks Rob.

[BIG NATURALS]

Here is a pic of my new trotlining rig. I bought it from the US GOV auction. 50 CALS & SEALS included.
STAY AWAY FROM MY LINES!!!--------------please

MAX HARDCRAB

[C-Hawk18]

Thanks for the input. Is it proper to lay a line near dumby bouys? If the line isn't in the water and the bouys are just a way of making it look like there is a line what is the proper route to take? Since there is no ownership of spots to crab. Just a question.

Oh and thanks Rob.

No problem Matt - I've seen guys do this down at the Narrows. I think they do it sometimes to get the same exact lay each time.


BTW-I hear they're movin up our way......closer then you would think

[crabbyd]

Thanks for the input. Is it proper to lay a line near dumby bouys? If the line isn't in the water and the bouys are just a way of making it look like there is a line what is the proper route to take? Since there is no ownership of spots to crab. Just a question.

Oh and thanks Rob.

How would you know for sure they were dummy bouys unless you pulled them up and we all know that is illegal.

[C-Hawk18]

How would you know for sure they were dummy bouys unless you pulled them up and we all know that is illegal.

Crabbyd - I know the one I saw was a dummy cause the water was only about 4' deep and I could see the cinderblock on the bottom. It was right on the edge of a channel that dropped to about 12'. Couple weeks later I saw a smaller deadrise running a line right by the bouy.

[crabbyd]

Crabbyd - I know the one I saw was a dummy cause the water was only about 4' deep and I could see the cinderblock on the bottom. It was right on the edge of a channel that dropped to about 12'. Couple weeks later I saw a smaller deadrise running a line right by the bouy.

Ok, I'll give you that one. But for the most part you can't see that they are dummy floats. I know that there are certain commercial guys that do leave dummy floats out but unless you pull the line, you would never know what was attached on the other end.

[BowMovements]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm lets see maybe the barnacles gave it away, or that they wern't the leagal size trotline floats, or I had seen it there a dozen times before and it never moved.

[raythecrab]

I see that two of my brothers have already posted to this thread so, I thought that I would share my slightly askew thoughts as well.

From: Summary of 2007 Recreational Crab Regulations for Chesapeake Bay and its tidal Tributaries (http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/crab/2007recreationalcrabsummary.html)

Recreational crabbers may not set a trotline, traps/rings within 100 feet of a trotline unless it is your own trotline.

The way I read this is that the trappers can be all over each other. [good thing i only run trotline]
Am I reading it wrong?

[Bird Watcher]

I went out this past weekend in the Magothy and had a bear of a time finding water in the magic 5-10 ft range that didn't have guys running trotlines a half a mile long.

I will take flak for this and some or most may disagree but I take serious issue with commercial crabbers running multiple trotlines half a day all up and down a PUBLIC river. It bothers me and I know it is legal. I am out there with my neighbor's 4 1/2 year old trying to catch a few crabs and these guys are taking up too much space.


Off rant. I know its legal so please don't lecture. I philosophically disagree with the shear amount of room that these lines are allowed to cover.:wacko:

[rockinfish]

Off rant. I know its legal so please don't lecture. I philosophically disagree with the shear amount of room that these lines are allowed to cover

then better go watch them birds, and like you said its public water, they have the right to be there just as you, plenty of water and if you ask me, always better to beat AWAY FROM THE CROWD,
not always better crabbing, just a better day when you dont have to deal with angry comm. guys

[C-Hawk18]

I went out this past weekend in the Magothy and had a bear of a time finding water in the magic 5-10 ft range that didn't have guys running trotlines a half a mile long.

I will take flak for this and some or most may disagree but I take serious issue with commercial crabbers running multiple trotlines half a day all up and down a PUBLIC river. It bothers me and I know it is legal. I am out there with my neighbor's 4 1/2 year old trying to catch a few crabs and these guys are taking up too much space.


Off rant. I know its legal so please don't lecture. I philosophically disagree with the shear amount of room that these lines are allowed to cover.:wacko:

Maybe you should try a week day. I was out there today and didn't have anyone crabbing within a mile of us. Didn't even see but 5 or 6 other crabbers in the river.