Recreational Crabbing Status???

[john2254]

My daughter (12) wants to go out crabbing from the boat back in either the Western Branch, James or Elizabeth river areas. Haven't seen too many crabs this year nor have I seen many gool ol boys selling on the side of the road.

Has anyone been crabbing? Is it productive? If she gets a dozen, she'll pick for hours.. Txs.

[cygnus]

We had family in town 3 weeks ago and went in Lynnhaven, Broad Bay, and Chesapeake Bay for a half day. Even with 6 lines in the water, we only caught 1 crab that was too small. Maybe it was an off day, but everyone we talked to got skunked or caught just a few. This was just my experience. The fishing was much more productive.

[fishindan]

i've got a good "secret spot" send me a pm and i'll give you the location

[freeflow_23]

Try under the Western Branch Bridge (Portsmouth Blvd.). We pulled about 18 small-medium crabs outta there about two weeks ago.

Try to go at near slack tide and anchor up in shallow water (less than 10').

[tpaulino]

My secret spot which is right out my back deck on the bay near Hungars Creek had very few good size crabs this year. A lot of little ones and I didn't see any females with eggs. Which I usually do this time of year.

We really had to work for them at low tide dipping them in calf deep water. I set out only one crab pot and it would yield about a dozen decent size crabs in 24 hours.

This past weekend it took 48 hours to get a dozen keepers in the pot.

Years ago I could get 4-5 dozen in an hour or two dipping them. I don't know what's going on but it's not good.

I've always let the females go and kept only what we would eat.

[john2254]

Thanks guys - I might take her over to Bennetts Creek to drown a chicken wing.

[jhmorgan]

Elizabeth River in between the Hot Ditch and the ICW in Great Bridge

[crippldpgg]

caught about 30 ok sized ones in 5 hours in poquoson on sunday. Plenty of small ones too. Most were caught when the tide started going out.