I have another "good" report for everyone, but some not so good of a report about the Wye.
Nailed about 2/3 bushel down around the Easton area yesterday. I started off at the Wye just to see what's happening, but after 3 hours (about 6 - 9 am) and two large crabs....I packed up
and headed for my other early season crabbing spot.
Guys, the Wye just ain't happening yet, :'(but two crabs means that there is something getting up in there but not in any large numbers yet.
First run on the trot-line in my new location and I got 4 nice ones. These crabs were a tad bigger than the ones I caught two weeks ago and just as fat. I also caught another nice doubler and my first sook. She went back in immediately. I probably threw back another 20 crabs that were marginal and was averaging about 3 a run on approximately 60 baits. On one run I nailed 7 with 5 keepers! It was a beautiful thing!
It was a little windy at first, but I pulled my line back into a more protected area which was shallower also and nailed them there too. My baits were hit hard and often and no droppers. For the year, I have not missed one yet, and for me that is like batting .400 in baseball, so I guess that won't hold up, huh?
The tide was just starting to go out similar to the last time I was out and it was nice and overcast but it never got above 70 degrees. The river water was much warmer to the touch and murky and I think those factors are what is starting to bring them up the bay, albeit a tad later than normal.
I hope to start hittin them in the Wye and Crab Alley (Kent Narrows) about two weeks from now, so I can start latching onto to the big boys. Speaking of big boys, the largest crab I caught yesterday was when I was pulling in the trot-line. I always run it backwards and pull off the baits as I go. Just about near the end I feel this tug, and look down and this 7 1/2 " full bodied blue is just about splashing himself crazy to hold onto the bait as it broke the water. The dude must have been hungry because between the line being taught and me pulling he hung on just long enough for me to reach back with my right arm and do a one-hander. Yea Baby! It was like ole times when I used to use hand-lines. Great fighter, but he could not escape my new stream-lined dipper. Spoils to the victor, eh??
Well I gotta run. I hope my next report is as good as this one if not better. I see improvement every week, so get out there and try you luck.
Take care and be safe out there, ok//
R/Howard
