Im ready for the crabbing, questions.....

[cutter]

I just cant wait to get down to DE/MD to do some crabbing. We found a nice little spot last year right after the indian river bridge in the back bays at a public camp ground. maybe about 20 minutes away from the bridge. Is there a date that crabs open? Also I always hear about the Wye and crab ally. Where are they located, where are good spots to go and how far is it from Ocean city MD, or the indian river bridge? We come down from PA and takes us about 3 hours to get down from rt 1. I want to hit the wye river at least one time this year but dont know any info at all on the place as to where to go or how to get down there. Thanks for the help....

Shane

[jack1747]

Their are plenty of crabbers here that know every inch of the Wye.  They must be sleepn in
Might look thru the older posts I know there is a lot of talk on this board about the area. Its a little to far north for me

[Crabpop]

Cutter, this is from previous posts:

The Wye River is on the eastern shore of Maryland, near Wye Mills.  The boat rental is named Schnaitmans.  The Wye is the premier location for jumbo crabs in the summer months.
Look at the following map of Talbot County:
http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/Cntyramps/TA.html
Then mouse on Wye Landing and it will give you specifics. Mouse on the Get map and directions near the top and you have a satellite image of the area.
All weekends and most weekdays are busy during the summer months and the rental boats go fast, so get there real early.  These are row boats.  I understand that they have a very few boats with low-HP outboards, but you have to be there real early to get one of these.  Otherwise, you have to supply your own outboard (9.9-20HP) or electric motor to really get around and explore the place.  If you bring your own boat/motor, don't forget to purchase a Talbot County ramp permit to a fix to the trailer, otherwise you'll return to your trailer at the end of the day to find a ticket with a hefty fine.

Crab Alley is located on the eastern shore of Maryland. A map is available from the link above. From Route 50/301 take Exit 39B south on Route 552 to the end of the road at Little Creek Landing.  Crab Alley Marina is here and has boat/motor rentals.

As far as when to go, I'd wait until late-June/early-July.
Not sure how this spring is going to turn out.  If we have a lot of sunshine and little precipitation, you can come down a little earlier, otherwise stick with June/July timeframe.

Good luck.

Crabpop

[cutter]

Great! Thanks. How much do the rental boats cost at crab alley that have the motors? We would be out alllllllll day. I dont have a small enough gas motor, but have plenty of electric motors. How much do the boats cost with no motor?

Thanks

[Crabpop]

Cutter, I’m not sure how much the rentals are at Crab Alley Marina.  Go to this link, scroll down a bit to “rental boats” and their number is listed:
http://www.kentisland.cc/kiboating.htm

Schnaitmans on the Wye River was charging $20-25 all day (early morning opening to one hour before sundown) a couple years ago.  Might be $10 more now.  These are wooden (vice aluminum or fiberglas) row boats, so take along your most powerful electric to move it along smartly. Here’s their number:
Schnaitman's Boat Rentals
410-827-7663

Recall what I said about when to come down.  Crab Alley crabs will get moving before the Wye River crabs.
So, June might be ok for Crab Alley, but July will be better for Wye River.

Crabpop

[Joe Crabs]

I rented once out of Crab Alley Marina last year. The boats were somewhere between 65 - 70 dollars. You need to make a reservation though. Motors were well kept, took right off on every pull which is what you want when you stop and start all day.

[Darrell]

  All the above is true. Now most people who rent boats at Wye River bring their own small motor. Some do row out and the area around the landing will have many crabbers Still you can catch crabs by handlines ect.chicken necks .don't expect to gather a bushel this way though..lately hand lining will gather a dozen or two for fun as crabbing has been hard. If your out for a big catch just buy a bushel as it may be cheaper then renting a boat and motor ect and you will be assured of crabs to eat.. In good times the vechicles and trailers will be backed up the road from the Wye landing a good ....Mile! Its a sign that crabbing is good. but be prepared to walk. Of course you can drive down into the landing area and park "where you can" foor a couple of minutes and check out whats going on then go out and park your car/truck and hike back. Its always good form to give a lift to someone hiking back up the road too  to their vechicle and they may give you some tips!

See my web page on the wye river:
http://trotliner.tripod.com/wyeriver.html  

If the link does not work go to google.com and search wye river crabs its the #1 hit.

[cutter]

No we went to a campground off assawoman bay. The same day we hit cape henolopen pier, OC MD, and a few other piers. Cought one or two crabs here and there, then went back to our spot off the assowoman and we nailed them. Brought home a full cooler full. I wonder why we were nailing them there and nowhere else? Maybe because there was nobody there crabbing the whole time. OC MD gets hit hard i beileve.