Warning .DNR to bust early birds at Rocky Point

[whynot]

My brother crabbed Rocky Point today and when he got there just at sunrise he saw many crabbers trapping and and trotlining already . He was checked later in the morning by a lady DNR officer [She checked everything ] and was told they would be busting anyone who SETS or starts crabbing before 1/2 hour AFTER sunrise after Oct 1st through Dec. 15 in rivers ,creeks, tributaries and the Bay, which means you couldn't put a trap or trotline over before 7:51 today . That is the rule for recs in the Md 2007 fishing guide . I guess it's the same for commercial but I'm not sure .

It also said that time limit doesn't apply to recs using dipnets or handlines from docks piers,shorelines, [BOATS ], or bridges . With or without a lics. you can crab 24 hours a day those ways [ except Wed ]..

He worked hard and long for a couple dozen small crabs using 30 traps . Looks like it's over at RP .

Tony

[Antman40]

That is the rule for recs in the Md 2007 fishing guide . I guess it's the same for commercial but I'm not sure .

Commercials can start at sunrise.

Tony

[Dan Chiacchio]

.

It also said that time limit doesn't apply to recs using dipnets or handlines from docks piers,shorelines, [BOATS ], or bridges . With or without a lics. you can crab 24 hours a day those ways [ except Wed ]..

you can handline 24/7 - even wednesdays.

[SeaNymphFM161]

I thought it was ok to set your gear, just not fish it. Am I wrong here.

[SteveL]

Commercial trotline crabbers can set prior to the start of legal time but are not allowed to start crabbing until their legal time (earlier than recs). Recreational crabbers using trotlines and crab traps/rings are not allowed to place baited gear into the water until the start of legal time.

[whynot]

Dan ,Where did you see 24/7 for handlines ? I think I remember seeing that too . I just checked the 2005 [cant find this years ] crab facts sheet I found and in one spot it says No crabbing on wed except from private piers . In another it says 24/7 like you said ,. I'll have to check DNR REGS for recs on internet for this year

Tony

[whynot]

I checked DNR site .

Rec. crabbers may NOT set rec. crabbing gear and crab from boats on Wed. except handlines, dipnets and pots at PRIVATE piers.

Also Commercial Pots, traps , rings handlines 1/2 before sunrise to 7 1/2 hrs after sunrise

Comm trotlines Apr ,Oct ,Nov. and Dec. Sunrise to 10 hrs after sunrise

Hows this for unequal

2 unlic. crabbers on a pier, dock ,etc. can keep 2 doz hard and 1 doz soft or peeler EACH, Total 4 and 2
2 or more unlic crabbers in a unlic. boat can keep total 4 doz and only 1 dozen soft or peeler. Why 1 dozen less soft/or peelers ??????????????

Anyway season is just about over . We can wait till next year to try to interpret the new rules changes and I sure well have some .

[rj]

Tony
here is the rule as it is written in COMAR
looks like you can handline 24 hrs a day from a boat ,except wednesdays

B. Recreational. Except for handlines and dipnets, a person may not set any recreational crabbing gear or catch crabs for recreational purposes from a boat during:
(1) May through September between:
(a) 5 p.m. and 1/2 hour before sunrise in the main Chesapeake Bay; and
(b) Sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise in tidal waters tributary to the Chesapeake Bay;
(2) April, October, November, and December between:
(a) 5 p.m. and 1/2 hour after sunrise in the main Chesapeake Bay; and
(b) Sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise in tidal waters tributary to the Chesapeake Bay.
C. Notwithstanding Natural Resources Article, §4-808, Annotated Code of Maryland, a person may not catch blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries between December 15 and April 1.

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(1) Except for dipnets, handlines, and crab pots from private piers, a person may not set any crabbing gear or catch crabs for recreational purposes on Wednesdays in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries

[Dan Chiacchio]

Can't find my link right now, cause I'm not on the home computer, but I know you can handline from a boat 24/7 even wednesdays. Just about 3 weeks ago I was down in Grasonville waiting for a guy to show up to look at a motor I have for sale and was doing exactly that on wednesday and got checked by DNR out just north of the narrows. Had 16 beauties in the basket, he checked em, checked safety gear, I got my "terror on the water info" from homeland ride along guy and away they went. Guy didn't show and I didn't sell the motor, but caught some crab! I'll see if I can find the link when I get home.

[C-Hawk18]

Dan,

I think you may be mistaken about the Wednesday thing on a boat. Comar spells it out pretty clear(as RJ has posted).

Now about your situation 3 weeks ago.....that would have been October 3rd right?
If it was then that was the Wednesday immediately preceeding Columbus Day (October 8th) which is a Federal Holiday....2007 Federal Holidays

Right from Comar:

(2) Recreational crabbing is permitted on the Wednesday immediately preceding or falling on a State or federal holiday.

You would have been perfectly legal.....you could have also had traps or trotline if you had wanted.