Navesink River 10-25-2009

[Rusty Blueclaw]

Crabbed the Navesink again near the east side of the Oceanic Bridge on Sunday morning and had a great day.  Started around 8 AM using 12 traps.  It was a little slow early on with only a few keepers caught on the first couple of runs.  Shifted the traps around a few times till I found the most productive spot.  The tide started coming in and the bite turned on.  Wound up with a full bushel by noon which was 57 male crabs.  Very few females were caught along with a bunch of spider crabs.  I didn't keep many crabs under 6.5 inches with many up to 7.25 inches.  Threw back twice as many smaller crabs.  The water temp was 55 degrees and the strong northwest wind made it challenging but was very happy with the results.  Was the only boat out there.  Surprisingly, many of the large crabs were fairly empty.  If the weather holds up, should be able to get another 2 or 3 weeks out of this season.

[tattoo]

Nice catch . you had a GREAT day , enjoy em. 

[cubbie12cat]

Great catch ......enjoy them

[ProCrabz]

hey great catch! This is the 2nd report i've read in which the crabs have been described as empty.  I would think if the water is colder and these crabs are coming in from the sea that they would want to eat as much as they can before bedding down?  Can anyone share some insight? 

[tattoo]

They may have shead for the last time .

[ProCrabz]

then i hope they fill that shell before going to sleep.  It's a long winter!

[Capt. Frank]

That was 12 traps?   Jugging I guess?

Did you go into Claypit Creek?  That's the one NE of the Oceanic bridge. 

I'd be dreaming about this Friday, but for my trailer destroyed itself last week. ((((

Capt. Frank

Crabbed the Navesink again near the east side of the Oceanic Bridge on Sunday morning and had a great day.  Started around 8 AM using 12 traps.  It was a little slow early on with only a few keepers caught on the first couple of runs.  Shifted the traps around a few times till I found the most productive spot.  The tide started coming in and the bite turned on.  Wound up with a full bushel by noon which was 57 male crabs.  Very few females were caught along with a bunch of spider crabs.  I didn't keep many crabs under 6.5 inches with many up to 7.25 inches.  Threw back twice as many smaller crabs.  The water temp was 55 degrees and the strong northwest wind made it challenging but was very happy with the results.  Was the only boat out there.  Surprisingly, many of the large crabs were fairly empty.  If the weather holds up, should be able to get another 2 or 3 weeks out of this season.

[Rusty Blueclaw]

Hey Frank, yes I was jugging.  I didn't crab near the creek.  I was pretty close to the bridge in about 6 -8 feet of water.  Hope to be out there on Saturday if the weather is good.