Global Warming and Crabbin??

[Burchbeer]

Man o man.........................

I went over to the folks on the Miles today to do a few things for them. The wx was beautiful! Balmy and warm. I swear the geese are headed north already. Trees have buds and dafoldills are sprouting.

I so wanted to take out the row boat and make a few casts.

I know old man winter is coming though.

But if he wasnt, what is the earliest youve ever caught crabs using your method?
Seasonal restrictions taken into account.

I caught a poor old crab that got into an eel trap I found in December one year.
He was moving slow. Hope he made it.

I personally dont really get started until Memorial Day. I know thats late, but that's my life.

Hope all are doing well so far in 07!

DB

[peteboy]

About 5 years ago, after a real warm spring, we caught 2 bushels around May 15. We have tried about then a few times since but have never been able to duplicate that effort. Infact, we havent done much untill the end of May most years.

[done workin]

Memorial Day about 4-5 years ago 1 packed bushel in 1 1/2 hours

Mid May about 2 years ago 2 crabs, they were very gritty. I guess from just crawling out of their holes.

Generally speaking it all depends on the weather in the spring and how fast the water warms up. Generally Memorial Day. One year I didn't catch them until almost Fathers Day.

Chris

[peteboy]

Ya know what. This is really an interesting topic. I replied to your post yesterday but I've been thinking about it some more. Lets just say global warming is here (compared to what we think is gonna happen) and only gonna intensify over the years to come. And maybe changes are just a few years away. Bla bla bla. But if water temps rise consistently each year, doesnt that mean crabs stay active for longer each year? So as a recreational crabber, do I crab longer during the season and take more crabs? Or does crabbing become more difficult because the ecosystem become too stressed to support the change and DNR tells me to go find something else to do. I guess I'm kinda caught up in this global warming thing, and God knows Crabbing is huge to me but its supposed to be in the 70"s tomorrow!!! January7, 2007!!! Hell, I should be puttin down a trot line! I,m interested in what everybody thinks about this cause it seems to me that things (temps) have been on the rise since I was a kid. Anybody else got an opinion on this?

[Burchbeer]

Peteboy,
I agree and have considered many of the same points as you.

Ya know what. This is really an interesting topic. I replied to your post yesterday but I've been thinking about it some more. Lets just say global warming is here (compared to what we think is gonna happen) and only gonna intensify over the years to come. And maybe changes are just a few years away. Bla bla bla. But if water temps rise consistently each year, doesnt that mean crabs stay active for longer each year? I think they would So as a recreational crabber, do I crab longer during the season and take more crabs? Probably not. The season would still open and close as DNR decides. Or does crabbing become more difficult because the ecosystem become too stressed to support the change and DNR tells me to go find something else to do. I hope DNR would be smart enough to limit the catch, but................I guess I'm kinda caught up in this global warming thing, and God knows Crabbing is huge to me but its supposed to be in the 70"s tomorrow!!! January7, 2007!!! Hell, I should be puttin down a trot line! I would like to do the same. Go fishin instead maybe, if the DNR has 07 permits ready yet. I,m interested in what everybody thinks about this cause it seems to me that things (temps) have been on the rise since I was a kid. Anybody else got an opinion on this? I too agree that winter temps are nothing like they were. I recall very brutal winters growing up. And, there was ice and snow on the ground Jan thru early March. I want cold during winter. It feels like the Carolina's around here now.