[captmike84]

Hello,

As usual I am going to ask a newbie question. I do a lot of crabbing up in cape cod where I'm from. I'm planning on moving to the bethesda area in July. I was wondering if there is a pier or public dock or something nearby that would make for some decent crabbing. I plan on bring my smaller boat down but that won't be for a year or so. So for the time being I'm just looking for a place to kill some time this summer. Any help would be awesome. Also if there's any beach or something where one could catch some white perch would be awesome. I do a LOT of fishing but the chesapeake is a new beast to me so I'm going to try to learn my way around little before I bring the boat down. I imagine I'll have to drive at least an hour to go crabbing/perching but that fine. I understand if people don't want to give up good spots, I'm just looking for anything helpful. Thanks!

 

[SALTRODDER]

Welcome to TidalFish

Capt. Mike,

There are several areas where you can fish and/or crab. As is true in most places, the better areas are more accessible by boat. But there are many TidalFish individuals who are willing to take you out on their boats and teach you the particulars about fishing the Bay. You'll find a lot of similarities to the Cape Cod area, without the oceanfront beaches, of course.

There are also many Charter Captains who are available for charter in the area. That is one of the best ways to fish and learn until you have your own boat in the area.

Saltrodder
Annapolis

 

[jazzconcert]

PM me if you want to do some fishing/crabbing and drink beer. I have a house on the west river, good spot for what you are looking at doing.

 

[captmike84]

fishing/crabbing and drink beer? did you read a profile on me somewhere?

 

[captmike84]

I've been looking at the sandy point state park info. It looks like there's a couple of piers there which could be good for perch/crab but what do I know. I'd like to get to know this area because it is probably where I will end up keeping the boat. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[27 sailfish]

Sandy Point piers do not offer a good chance at keeper crabs.You'll catch a lot of small males and females but not many keeper males.The crab potters work the inlet area very hard and not too many keepers get by.The piers are also crowded most days.You will find , sadly - that Md does not offer much public shoreline access.There are a few public piers/old bridges but for the amount of shoreline- it stinks.

Check out the Tidal Fish crabbing board - some hard core crabbers there.

Most guys crab the local rivers in boats.

 

[Polkster]

Another option is to rent a small boat and go in the Wye River when crabs are really around. A friend of mine has gone there for years and brings his own electric motor, battery and you can get a boat for $24 a day or $65 or so with a motor. Check out Schnaitman's Boat Rentals in Wye Mills, MD 410-827-7663 -they are right on the Wye River, one of the historically best known places to catch crabs. It is probably just 20 min over the bay bridge.

 

[aafinest]

PM me if you want to do some fishing/crabbing and drink beer. I have a house on the west river, good spot for what you are looking at doing.

If I were you I'd get in touch with Jazz, West River offers what you are looking for and if he's throwing in beer :clap: that's a helluva bonus. There is a community pier in Deale which is probably about an hour drive from Bethesda, which you can crab from, no charge. If you would like to bring your boat, there's a ramp about a quarter mile down the road from the community pier where you can launch. Pretty good crabbing near the mouth of Rockhold Creek inside the stone jetty's maybe 10 minutes from the ramp I just mentioned. You can also access the Dept of natural Resources web site and pick up alot of good info there as well. Welcome to the "Board" and good luck :thumbup:

Sam

 

[Andrew886]

Capt Mike,

I currently live in Bethesda and probably the closest / fastest place to get to with all the traffic in te area that I've found is Edgewater, just south of Annapolis. Usually can do the drive in about 45 min give or take depending on traffic. I have a boat that I crab and fish from on the Rhode River / Bay, which from a boat has plenty to offer. There is also a community pier that a lot of guys are fishing and crabbing from but I couldn't tell you how productive it is or is not. Also another place to pick up some good crabbing information is BLUECRAB.INFO - The Blue Crab Archives . Shoot me a PM if theres anything I can do to help you out.

 

[captmike84]

Thanks guys this is all very helpful!

 

[JimRockfish]

Capt Mike - You might want to post on the crabbing forum as well. Welcome to the area and Tidalfish! Jim

 

[swartj]

Capt Mike - There is a public pier in Edgewater. Take Rt. 214 to Carrs Warf Road. Make a right and when it makes a big bend to the left go straight down the little road there. I keep my boat in that area and always see folks crabbing there. Don't know if they catch much.

 

[captmike84]

Awesome thanks guys! When does the crabbing season really start up? I'm a huge striper (rockfish) fishermen but I'm going to try to sneak in some white perch fishing in the near future. Those little fillets are unbelieveable fried with a little old bay and a corona!