Oh what fun it is to crab.... .... .... ....!!!

[POLECAT]

Woke up at 1:10 (again) to make certain the alarm would sound at 1:30.[grin] Why does that happen???? Loaded the line in the boat and ice, drinks, and lunch in the cooler while I waited for my helpers to arrive.
Stopped at the local WAWA for gas and coffee, then pointed the van towards the Pax. Dunked the boat at 4:00 and proceeded to find a vacant spot to lay the lines.
This time we decided to place one 1200'er in 2' to 4' depth and the other 1200'er in 5' to 7' depth. That way we could determine which depth was catching best. Both did well at first, but after a couple runs the babies were devouring the baits in the shallower water. We were able to keep only 3 or 4 per run, so we moved the shallow water line parallel to the other and managed to catch much larger crabs with fewer throwbacks.
Ten o'clock was determined to be our quitting time. We ended up with 3 3/4 bushels of quality crabs. Caught 4 mature females, no snapping turtles and did not see any rays. My dippers, even though they are very good, left plenty for the rest of us to catch. The water is plenty clear and I believe that causes the smarter crabs to drop off just a tad early.
For a Saturday, I was surprised at the lack of crabbers on the water.
Guys, the crabs are here for the dipping! Set your alarm clocks.[grin]

[Swamp]

Nice job, Jerry.

How fast do they move up the bay? Next weekend I wanted to try the eastern bay. Think in a week it'll be worth it or should I make the drive again?

Bob

[Fat Jimmy]

Way to get 'em Jerry! I'll just hi-jack your thread and add my report on here. We got a good bushel and a quarter by 10 this morning with 30 traps. We've caught lots of little ones both times out so far this year and that can only be a good thing. Gonna be some happy crab eaters later this evening after it cools off a little bit. [excited] Have a good one, FJ

[POLECAT]

Bob,

Ya gotta ask someone with more smarts than me.
Remember earlier this year I said I had a "gut" feeling this year would be another good one? Well, I have that "gut" feeling that crabs will again be plentiful in the upper bay tribs. Might not be red hot until July. I'd take the long drive for a sure thing.

Jamie,

We had the pleasure of meeting one of your neighbors this morning. Can't recall his name.[sad] He said you were trappin' em Jimmies real good!! Glad you did well. Fun, ain't it?[grin]

[Fat Jimmy]

Jerry, that's Ben that you met down there this morning and he's the guy that got us into crabbing and down on the pax 3 or 4 years ago. And yes, it is an amazing amount of fun and it's still like the first time everytime that we go! And as much fun as it is to catch 'em, it's just as much fun to sit down with friends, family, a cooler of cold ones and enjoy those hot, steamy, spicy bad boys! Happy eating, it's about time to get the steamer going. [wink] FJ

[Capt. Dale]

Swamp originally wrote:
Nice job, Jerry.

How fast do they move up the bay? Next weekend I wanted to try the eastern bay. Think in a week it'll be worth it or should I make the drive again?

Bob

I read somewhere they have been known to travel 14 miles in a day.

[Capt. Dale]

WTG Buddy,
Sounds like its time for "Mary's Super Secret Seafood Seasonings"
Yep I do believe i can smell them Crabs steaming all the way down here[grin]

[Butthead]

For a Saturday, I was surprised at the lack of crabbers on the water.

Well it's not the quantity of crabbers you saw this morning Jer....But the quality of the ones you did[grin][grin]

Good Seeing you and your lovely family out there. For Hijack purposes, We got 2 3/4 ourselves. Go get um folks....If my crew could catch crabs this morning, I'm certain anyone can!!!!! [tongue]

[Capt. Dale]

WTG Rod
How about this, we were just in Giant Food. They had steamed crabs at the fish counter #2s. They were $17.95 a lb.
That had to be wrong. $17.95 X40=$718.00 a Bushel [excited][excited]
Man who do I call to be their supplier !!!

[john pearce]

Nice report Jerry, might not be much longer for EB area.