Crabbing ?????Ettiqette??????

[stman]

I am new to crabbing and have been going in the Severn river. I feel like I am being punished for obeying the law! If I wait untill legal time to start crabbing the shores are filled with trotliners already with their lines in. I spoke to one guy and he says he has to drop line 90 minutes ahead of time to secure his spot.

I think I am going to put my bouy markers out with a light attached to them 90 minutes ahead of time and anchor my boat between them to secure my spot.

I am at a loss for ideas of what to do!doh

Is this the right thing to do? or can someone tell me what is. I just want to go out and have a nice time with my family and not break any laws or piss other people off.

[dogbig]

"I am at a loss for ideas of what to do!"

I feel your pain, but dropping gear at 4am will only cause more problems. I like to sleep, I usually don't get out on the water till 7 am. Yeah, and on the weekends my choice spots are usually always taken but I don't stress it. What I've learned in my years of crabbing is that crabs are basically like cockroaches in the sense that they are everywhere this time of year. The only factors that I think matter are depth and tide. I've busheled out on 600' everytime I've been out this year and even when my pereferred spots were taken.

I know the Severn well, there is plenty of space. Just move away from the crowds.

db

[crabby and son]

I am new to crabbing and have been going in the Severn river. I feel like I am being punished for obeying the law! If I wait untill legal time to start crabbing the shores are filled with trotliners already with their lines in. I spoke to one guy and he says he has to drop line 90 minutes ahead of time to secure his spot.

I think I am going to put my bouy markers out with a light attached to them 90 minutes ahead of time and anchor my boat between them to secure my spot.

I am at a loss for ideas of what to do!doh

Is this the right thing to do? or can someone tell me what is. I just want to go out and have a nice time with my family and not break any laws or piss other people off.

The law says that recreational crabbers must not set any gear until 1/2 hour before sunrise. You are not being punished for obeying the law BUT you will be punished for breaking the law. ALL of these guys will eventually get caught. Weekends are not a good time to crab without confrontation and headaches. Obeying laws is not etiquette. I feel your pain and crab during the week. Inconvenient at times but avoid the headaches.Crabs bite in the evenings too........on a moving tide!..........Gary

[trapshoot]

Everyone likes to get out at 1st light. I dont get on the water most weekends until 11 or 12. this eliminates all the hassle for me with everyone crabbing. I have done very well this year. From limiting out to getting enough to eat. My worst day on the water so far, I had boat trouble for 2 hours. Finally got it fixed. A total of 3.5 hours of crabbing and had 54 crabs that were all over 6". More than enough to feed my crew.

Dont get upset or even try to compete. Do it on your own time and have fun.

Hell I would like to go and try the Tred but they tell me your taking your life in you own hands. Aint worth it.

Vince

[J bones]

Feel free to call and report them. If you want to be really brass, do it right in front of them.

[Crabbermanjl]

I agree with dogbig, If your spot is taken-Move to another one, I have done that in the past and found a better spot and as said they are all over the place right now. Tons & tons of little ones that will be big ones in September on........

[GoldenMonkey]

I never understood why everyone always bunches up in one spot on a big river. I always go far away from the crowd and somehow still manage to catch plenty of crabs.

[ontherivah]

Gary does this subject have anything to do with the snood thingy? How's it going to be? LOL...........Brigitte

[BowMovements]

I am new to crabbing and have been going in the Severn river. I feel like I am being punished for obeying the law! If I wait untill legal time to start crabbing the shores are filled with trotliners already with their lines in. I spoke to one guy and he says he has to drop line 90 minutes ahead of time to secure his spot. probably commercial

I think I am going to put my bouy markers out with a light attached to them 90 minutes ahead of time and anchor my boat between them to secure my spot. Illeagal

I am at a loss for ideas of what to do!doh Stay 100' away from trotlines and find a spot somewhere else. Chances are your gonna have trouble with some douchebag if you crab in a crowded area

Is this the right thing to do? or can someone tell me what is. I just want to go out and have a nice time with my family and not break any laws or piss other people off. This is the right thing to do. Just remember these three things, 1. Your on the water 2. Your with your family 3. You have your health Catching crabs would be an added bonus! ;-)

[Burchbeer]

People are so FU!

If I did what I thought I would be shot dead 1000 times.

Oh well. This place helps. Hanibal Lecter is my role model! And my uncle.

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/lnjgjhwfbw--slurp-slurp-The-Silence-of-the-Lambs-Anthony-Hopkins-Dr-Hannibal-Lecter

[Stumpknocker]

I remember the first year they set the times to crab. I was at Thompsons Creek. I laid my traps ahead of the time and just sat and waited. I honestly thought you could lay your gear, then start crabbing once legal time started. Well, a guy comes up to me with his family, motors real close and we begin to chat. Nice guy, and he explained to me that you cannot set any gear baited or not before the legal start time. I thanked him for the clarification, and quickly pulled my traps. I sat in the spot I and waited. Well the same guy starts hollering at me because he is laying his trotline right where my traps were. I drifted out of the way and as he passed me slowly I asked him about the advice he had just given me minutes before and he just laughed. I thought about playing bumper boats with him!

I learned long ago that there is plenty of crabs out there and plenty of places to crab. No sense in getting stressed over other people, takes the fun out of it.

About two weeks ago, I was crabbin an evening and a couple laid their line very close to one of my traps. So close that he had to pop the line off his propstick early so he wouldnt run over my trap. The law says a trotline has first rights to an area no matter who was there first. But the guy motored over to me and explained that he miscalculated where his line would finish laying. He offered to move his line. I appreciated his courtesy and moved three traps to give him some room.

[POLECAT]

I remember the first year they set the times to crab. I was at Thompsons Creek. I laid my traps ahead of the time and just sat and waited. I honestly thought you could lay your gear, then start crabbing once legal time started. Well, a guy comes up to me with his family, motors real close and we begin to chat. Nice guy, and he explained to me that you cannot set any gear baited or not before the legal start time. I thanked him for the clarification, and quickly pulled my traps. I sat in the spot I and waited. Well the same guy starts hollering at me because he is laying his trotline right where my traps were. I drifted out of the way and as he passed me slowly I asked him about the advice he had just given me minutes before and he just laughed. I thought about playing bumper boats with him!

I learned long ago that there is plenty of crabs out there and plenty of places to crab. No sense in getting stressed over other people, takes the fun out of it.

About two weeks ago, I was crabbin an evening and a couple laid their line very close to one of my traps. So close that he had to pop the line off his propstick early so he wouldnt run over my trap. The law says a trotline has first rights to an area no matter who was there first. But the guy motored over to me and explained that he miscalculated where his line would finish laying. He offered to move his line. I appreciated his courtesy and moved three traps to give him some room.


You both did the right thing legally and morally.

That's what counts!

[Dwayne E]

I have learned that there is no "Crabbing ?????Ettiqette??????". Most will set were they want, Inside or outside the 100ft rule. Inside the 100ft rule I will remind them, outside and close I will just shake my head and ask why they want to share a small area with me. Most rivers have plenty of room, so why clutter an area and share crabs. When there are plenty somewhere else to have to yourselves. Last time out I had someone set down tide and right at the 100' mark. I believe he knew what he was doing by steal my scent line from my trot line to help his meager scent line in to his traps. I have learned to take several traps with me to ensure the area I crab will expand by setting several traps to keep others away.

[Burchbeer]

Great act Stump. Good for you. I had folks place their tpx between mine before. NS!
Not all of them but between one or two of mine.

I was speechless. When they were at the other end of their trap line, I just picked the few of mine up and relocated them.

Usually I never have much encroachment though. So much water, even more dumb sh*ts!


Good luck all this weekend!

[BigWillJ]

.....The law says a trotline has first rights to an area no matter who was there first.......
??????????

[fishinblues]

Seems like every time I go to the Rhode their are issues. Last time I went out crabbing, I was in my spot 2 hours before sunrise anchored waiting for the legal time to set my gear. Only to have the sun come up and discover another rec had laid his line in the night before where I had been waiting to set. I felt like draggin all his crap to the shore and leaving it in a pile. I hate rule breakers.

I have been checked by DNR the last 3 times I went crabbing in the Rhode but have not seen DNR inforce the set time once. They really need to get on thoes that set their gear the night before.

[crabby and son]

The way you initially approach another crabber will set the course of the conversation. If you are calm and speak in an intelligent manner without yelling, you most likely will get positive results 80% of the time. There are some that are unapproachable but not many. Don't lose control of the situation with your first words and tone!

As far as some one laying a line the night before, I can't see where they would have any bait left by morning. If they want that spot that bad where they have to rebait the entire line in the morning, just move and laugh to yourself about them. Over the years of crabbing I have MANY favorite spots and enjoy finding new favorite spots. The attitude that you go in with will determine the success of your day. The bad thing about inviting trouble is........trouble always accepts!...........Gary

[ontherivah]

Awww.......that Gary is so smart. He is something else. Have a good day Gary....you handsome dude.:wink44:


Brigitte

[Burchbeer]

Ya Think Brigitte? I dont know. Smart? He is funny though.

[BowMovements]

I say smart ass and funny looking LMAO ;-) Hey I coulda said dumb ass and funny smelling LOL Maybe we should take a poll

[crabby and son]

I say smart ass and funny looking LMAO ;-) Hey I coulda said dumb ass and funny smelling LOL Maybe we should take a poll

I'll start.......I think I'm good looking, funny, witty and smart:yes: Have at it boys:hysterical:.......Gary

[Burchbeer]

I think Gary is everything he thinks he is. Yes I do. Buddy!

I have January already locked in for the Mr Crab Board Calendar for 2011. Interested in February? It is the shortest month.