Crabbers cheating the system ?

[Crabby Captain John]

No, it does not make you "a creep". I'll question your sanity for living in Pa though. Seriously, the best thing I did in this life time was move from Pa to NC! BTW, it is illegal to sell (or receive anything of value in exchange) crabs caught under a rec license in NC. You can GIVE them to anyone.

Im from Pa. Does that make me a creep?

BTW, Its legal to give friends and family a dozen here and there right?

[Crabby Captain John]

I'm tired of hearing recs AND comm guys are doing something illegal on the water. Get the boat numbers and call DNR. They may not be able to catch him this time but will in the future. I firmly believe the number of guys doing anything illegal is extremely small- but each one that gets caught helps. Additionally, the noteriety of the offender becomes a deterant to others thinking of doing the same!

[tiderunner3150]

No, it does not make you "a creep". I'll question your sanity for living in Pa though. Seriously, the best thing I did in this life time was move from Pa to NC! BTW, it is illegal to sell (or receive anything of value in exchange) crabs caught under a rec license in NC. You can GIVE them to anyone.

This will really curl your toes. I used to live in NC and had to move to Pa. Long story.

JB, I did read it. I it wasnt legal to give crabs away it wouldnt surprise me.

[flycatcher]

If you had a cell or VHF it would have been most helpful to call DNR then and there. If not, calling in a description, time, location ASAP is next best. Do it tomorrow if you haven't didn't do it today. Keeping DNR abreast of suspicious activity may affect where they patrol. If you didn't feel any sense of risk, getting close enough to get the boat registration # would also be helpful. Not trying to be critical here, but hopefully can help facilitate a more effective approach the next time someone witnesses suspicious activity.

[C Sollers]

I'd report a Rec in a heart beat. Nobody is above the law. BTW the correct number is 1-800-635-6124. Program it into your cell phones.... and use it!

[crabres]

lets have a 5 page post about this topic
1. getting there line in the water before us
2. different bouys
3.2 lines
4. small crabs
5. to many crab
6. female
7. small crabs
thats not all of rec guys but i wish i had a dollar for every time ive seen it "hey can you sell these for me"

im with this guy ive seen it a thousand times take these females, sell thse for me,hold this bushel til im done and dnr takes hours to show up and they are gone by then waste of time

[night nurse]

Simple call

[rick mchale]

serious question : can a rec crabber have two 600 lines that total 1200. thanks

[crabby and son]

serious question : can a rec crabber have two 600 lines that total 1200. thanks

Yes. And many do to crab two different areas..............Gary

[SteveL]

serious question : can a rec crabber have two 600 lines that total 1200. thanks

Yes a rec is limited to 1200 ft of line in total--both deployed and on the vessel (you are not allowed to have more than 1200 ft of baited line on your rec vessel). The distance between the two furthest apart baits on the line is how the length is measured, but there is no requirement that a rec use only a single 1200 ft length. I almost always split my line into two 600 ft sections. Its easier to find a good lay around other crabbers with longer lines or in rivers with steep dropoffs in many areas (like the Severn), and you can check out different areas with two separate lines. I especially like doing this with snood lines because I can drag them to crab new water or to a better depth.

I have heard some comms state that they do not think its legal for recs to split their lines; of course everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I am a rec and I strive to always follow all the rules. I hope the DNR police nail the rec poachers--if we have a good crabbing year they should have plenty of opportunities.