Patuxent River

[sidestepper]

Hi everyone,  

Just had my first trip of the year, and boy was it a disaster!  I went up in the Jug Bay section of the Patuxent River Saturday where the crabbing was pretty good last year, and got absolutely skunked.  Zero, didn't even see a crab.  We ran a 1000 ft trotline 500 ft bull lips, 500 ft chicken necks.  Arrived 7 AM at the ramp and was making my first run on the trotline at 7:50 (Park gates don't open until 7 AM).  Low tide was at 10:45 AM and we crabbed until 11.  Usually the tide change is the best time.  My best guess is that with the drought, that section of the river was salty last year so the crabbing was good, but with all the rain this year, there's too much fresh water there and the crabs are all downriver.  I ran into a commercial crabber at the ramp around noon with two bushels of crabs.  He said he was down around chalk point and the crabbing is pretty good there.  

Does anyone know how far up this river you can crab before it drops off?  I'm really limited with a 14 ft flat bottom aluminum jon boat, I can't take much open water.  I like narrow protected areas where the wind doesn't kick up too much chop.  Jug bay was pretty good as it is real protected, but it looks like I have to find a new spot.  Anyone know any sheltered areas for a small jon boat to run a trotline?  I operate out of Severn, Maryland.

[Crabpop]

Sidestepper, I'm out of Severn also.  Several places to go nearby that aren't quite as far down the road as the Patuxent.  
1. Crab Alley - Little Creek Landing ramp. Cross Bay Bridge onto Kent Island; take Exit 39B (Rt. 552) all the way to the end and you'll run right into the ramp/parking lot.  Queen Annes County ramp permit required, unless you launch at adjacent Crab Alley Marina, which has a one-time $10 launch fee. Fairly well sheltered area right on the other side of the brakewater.  Don't have to go out far.  Big consideration when you're in a flat-bottomed jon with not much freeboard.
2. Kent Narrows ramp. Cross Bay Bridge onto Kent Island; take Exit 41; look on northwest side of narrows channel, immediately on other side of new bridge, for ramp.  If you've crossed the old drawbridge across the narrows channel,you've gone too far.  Launch at the ramps and head under the new and old bridges and you'll see a breakwater ahead.  Anywhere in this area is good for short trotlines and crabtraps. You can also go north from the ramp, following the channel dogleg to the right.  Once you get out of the channel in this area the water shallows out quickly, but expansive area to trotline.  
Either of these areas are good and fairly well sheltered.  And you'll be no more than 10 mins from the ramp if the need arises to get out of the water.  Good luck.

Crabpop

[crabbyd]

Went out on Sat 7/5 and got a bushell in 4 hours even with a late start.  Went out this Sat and only got 3/4 bushell with an early start.  Had to work hard at it.  Most of them have been 6-7 1/2".  Only a few down at the 5 1/2".  Anything smaller was thrown back.