New approach

[JB Crabs]

Guys

What have you learned during 2009 that will make you a better crabber in 2010.

For me, I made a few new friends during the year and picked up some advice that turned my mediocre season into a succesful one for us. I wanted to try another river but thanks to Charlie who I did not know at the time told me to stay put and move a little up river.

RJ kept me informed all season as did Bayhead

Captain Dale and I kept each other informed while on the water each week

Friendship is very important. Tidalfish has some great guys here

John

[crabby and son]

Friendship is very important. Tidalfish has some great guys here

John

Thanks John, I resemble that remark I have become a better crabber in 2009 due to Tidal Fish. I crab with Dale who has an auto dipper and line puller. I can almost keep up culling the crabs on each run I am also a bigger person due to the crab board..Thanks friends!.........Gary

[TimBass]

I had a great season with this being my first (with a commercial liscense) Traded reports with other members on Tidal fish and was able to stay on the crabs. Got a new (old project -crab boat int he water) boat and worked out all the bugs in it. Crabbed 3 new areas this year and learned where to lay lines for more production. Went through 3 crab nets and already have them on my winter project list. Found out where the crabs are early and late in the season. Big thanks to Polecat with help on my project boat and gettin started with clam bags. Looking forward to Snoodfest 2010 so I can see all my new friends. Wishing everyone at Tidalfish a Merry Christmas and Happy (healthy) New Year.

[JB Crabs]

And another thing that I picked up is double posting I have no idea who on this board caused me to do it

[Burchbeer]

For this rec chicken necker I learned that smaller baits are better than larger.
I caught more and larger crabs this year using a 2 vertibrate peice of neck vs larger.
And, this year was the first using snoods in my c-tpx vs all other methods I have used in the past. What a difference baiting and unbaiting now.

I am glad to be a part of this board and share my fondness of crabbing with the fine folks on it. Thanks to all for the tips and help.

Sorry for the few political rants btw. Ill vent elsewhere. Unless......................

[crabberlig]

Dave,

Also as a rec crabber I learned that not all commercial guys have a nasty disposition. I crab in an area where sevral comms are running there lines and we had a good relationship this year. I've been a rec crabber for longer than I can remember and have always respected the comms territory by giving him a wide berth. I hope this isn't taken the wrong way but I noticed that the more seasoned (not spiced) the commercial crabber is the more understanding and helpful he is. Believe me, the rec crabber that thinks he owns the water is the most annoying creature on earth. I guess with age comes wisdom. Believe me I didn't mean to offend anyone, I meant just the opposite.
As far as crabbing... changing baits a lot by putting out freash smell worked tremendiously.

P.S. Dave I don't mind your political thoughts just as long as they are civil, which I thought they were. Our politial opinions often overlap with our crabbing connection .

Thanks everyone, I had an enjoyable and informative year on the board this year and Merry Christmas to all.
John

[Capt. Dale]

Guys

What have you learned during 2009 that will make you a better crabber in 2010.

For me, I made a few new friends during the year and picked up some advice that turned my mediocre season into a succesful one for us. I wanted to try another river but thanks to Charlie who I did not know at the time told me to stay put and move a little up river.

RJ kept me informed all season as did Bayhead

Captain Dale and I kept each other informed while on the water each week

Friendship is very important. Tidalfish has some great guys here

John

Well, let me see. OK the first thing is it took me 2 months to learn how to control the New "Jeanne Marie" and the auto dipper
Relearn how to luanch a boat!
The second thing was getting use to having to trailer a boat every week since the old one was in a slip on the SR. Almost luanched her on the concrete a couple times,and once luanched her with out the dock line secure
#3 Having a mate helps
#4 Crab the pax in the fall
#5 Reading about all the crabs Charlie was catching & meeting him at CF
#6 Maintaing my friendships with old & new TF members (maybe wouldn't make me a better crabber but it will help me be a better person).
#7 Don't pay for more luanch ramps than I will use!
#8 Don't keep more crabs than I can use or sell.
#9 Don't use frozen clams!
#10 Go to the Pax & follow Charlie and John
I'm sure there are are a whole more, I'll have to edit this after more people respond...
O yea one more. Invite Gary more often He packs some great Steamed Shrimp

[pennsycrabber]

why no frozen clams?

[Capt. Dale]

For me frozen clams were not as productive as fresh live clams or checken necks.

[POLECAT]

Guys

What have you learned during 2009 that will make you a better crabber in 2010.

John

If I could remember any of what I learned I'd be a happier, better crabber.


No matter how much preventive maintenance I do to my gear, something will fail at the most inconvenient time. In the future I will carry a complete trailer (wheel) hub in addition to a spare tire. It won't make a better crabber out of me, but it'll make me less crabby!!!


Major understatement:

"Friendship is very important. Tidalfish has some great guys here."

John, you're at the top of my list with about a handful of others. You guys know who you are.