How is it running a trotline this time of year?

[BlueCrabber]

Going to the Wye sometime at the end of this week and was wondering what its like running a trotline at this time of the year.  Any tips anyone can give me.

Its going to be my first time running a trotline and I think I understand all the basics but at this time of the year should I have some extra slack being the waters clearer so they don't fall off, or do not many of them fall off?

Thanks!

[tattoo]

you would be better foo sticking to traps. 

[c-hawk-25]

two and a half bushel on friday running a line. dip them deep

[jefftoleft]

If it is your first time stick to traps this time of year water is to clear and cold a lot of crabs are dropping off early if you have traps I would use them. Good luck 

[chesapeak]

I agree with Jeff. Cold water crabs are not real aggresive and you better scoop them off the bottom with traps rather than think you can keep them hanging onto a chicken neck, dangling by a bungy cord, hooked to a 1000 line, that shakes and floats and snags and shakes crabs off the entire time you are retrieving your line and getting close to the crab. They are too sleepy or weak to hang on long now.. Water is getting cold.

They still come to bait now so if you pull traps you may get some.

[CaptMoose]

Kelly, I'm with C-hawk.  Line was working fine on Thurs 22nd.  When you see a crab, start digging the net down deep & come up on the crab.  Most were hanging on all the way to the surface but about 2 doz decided to drop early (about a foot or two from the surface).  Just have the net down there already & come up under and behind & you'll get most of them.

No on the slack.  You have to have your line fairly tight to run it right.  It won't have any effect on dropping off or hanging on but slack will cause you headaches.  At the end of your run the line will end up coming straight up off the bottom with your chain pulling the line vertical so the last 100' might be useless if there is slack.

Also recommend traps so you can prospect a few spots/depths.  The lines are close to being done and one day it might just shut down so the traps will save the day if the line's not working.  GL & give us a report.  Looking to go Fri.