Crab Alley again...

[Crabaholic]

Hey everyone! Went out to Crab Alley again Thursday-7/24. Had a good day by my standards. I ran 26 box traps and started pulling them around 7AM. Stopped at 11AM and had an even bushel. I ran my traps in 5-8ft of water. I talked to a couple of guys who were running a few feet deeper and they also busheled out. I'm starting to find jellies on my traps now. I guess the salinity level is rising?? My bushel was pretty well mixed. I had everything from some 5-1/2 inchers to some really nice jumbos! The biggest measured 9 inches from point to point. I probably caught about a dozen and a half really small females and males, which of course went right back in the water. I think I'm gonna have a go at it again Sunday-7/27. Happy crabbing!        

[Crabbeer]

I was out also on Thursday.  I must  have timed it wrong.  Sounds like the outgoing tide was where it was at in the morning.  I didn't get there until about 10:30 and I crabbed until 3 only getting about 1.5 dozen.  I moved around quite a bit.  I was catching them well early on but then it dropped off.  I did catch 2 doublers, the female went back of course.  

By the way, make sure you are legal out there.  The crab police were out stopping everyone.  I got a warning for no fire extinguisher.  I didn't think I needed one with portable gas tanks.  Apparently my storage compartment in the bow of the boat requires an extinguisher.

[Crabaholic]

I guess maybe it is still a little bit hit or miss. Or maybe, like you said, you missed the tide. I'll tell you the truth, I have never paid much mind to the tide. I just get out there early everytime and most of the time I seem to do best during the first couple of hours. I'm not sure why?? Maybe by staying for 5-6hrs. each time I go, I coincidentally catch the tide in there somewhere?? Anyway, at least you only got a warning. I have a jon boat with a 3 gallon plastic portable tank. I think I am O.K. since I don't have any enclosed space, such as a storage area. Well, I wanted to get out again this past Sunday-7/27, but it did'nt happen. I'm gonna shoot for next Sunday-8/3. Take care and good luck with the crabbing!    

[cblu]

Trip # 3 wasn't as successful as the previous two . I got there nice and early, went to the same spot and crabbed in 5 to 15 feet with 30 traps. First run 5, second run 3, third only one. This was quite a bit worse than my previous two trips and I had really been expecting this day to be good. I move the traps around and picked up a few here a there. Everytime I was ready to pull up and go, I'd get one or two. I'm stubborn, and I kept waiting for the run to begin. I was catching some small ones, 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 inchers and figured the big guys would come. Finally around 9:00 (I started at 5:30), I headed to a spot I've gone for years and picked up a few more , the tide was ending around 11:00, so I was done. Maybe if I would have started there, I might have done better. All told only 25 keepers. A couple 8'', a few 7'', the majority 6 to 6 1/2 .  Not terrible, but getting up at 3:00 for 25 crabs isn't as fun as it used to be. Then, I left my boat keys on the fender of my trailer and didn't realize it until I had gone about 5 miles.....that's not a good way to end even a good day crabbing.
     

[Crabaholic]

Yea...I know that feeling. I have had plenty of days where things did'nt go my way, including the crabs. On my last trip I did leave with a full bushel, so I  can't complain there. But even with that much luck on my side, I still lost four of my box traps. I had a commercial guy and some kid going 100MPH in a jon boat running over my floats all morning long! I mean I know accidents happen, but the kid in the jon boat made no attemt at all to slow down or avoid my floats.   Oh well. If the rain holds off, I'll post my Crab Alley results after I go out on Sunday-8/2. Take care.

[cblu]

Well, I did find most of the keys about 2 miles up the road. They'd been ran over several times and I think I lost a few, but I won't know that until I want to unlock something, and realize they're gone. I won't be out until the foillowing week, but I think I'll have a better plan next time. Seemed like the crabs weren't shallow where I was, mostly catching them in the 8-10' range which seems a little more normal for this time of year.
        A few crabs are starting to appear in the Bush River, up here. One guy went out last Saturday and got 5 in about 3 hours (I did preface that, with "starting" to show up) Have fun, 'cause that's what it's about.