Crabbing in Center Moriches on Long Island

[surfpico]

Went out crabbing off a dock on Union Ave in Center Moriches with some friends today, but only managed to catch green crabs. . Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to where the blue claws are? I don't have a boat - so it's just pier/dock fishing for me with a few traps and a ring. I'd really appreciate it - since I plan on heading back out sometime next week for some night crabbing.

Thank you!

-Heather-

[Black Irish]

Hi Heather. Welcome to the board BTW. The water temp up your way may be too cold yet. It needs to be at least 60° before the crabs really start to move around, 70° is even better. Another thing is the time of day - crabs feed very little if at all at night. The most productive times are several hours after dawn and several hours before dusk. A moving tide will help a lot too. Good luck.

[Joe Crabs]

Heather, why don't you give Silly Lily a call and see how they are doing. Have gotten some nice crabs 6 - 6 1/2 there early in his lagoon by the Coast Guard Station. Don't know if there are any pirs to crab off always rented a boat. They don't last long though, I guess it's last years leftovers. Good Luck.

[surfpico]

Black Irish: Well, we were out there from 1 to 6.  But I guess our location was just not where the blue claws were biting. I know at 1 we were way to early (hi tide was at 6:41) - but even as we got closer to 6 - nada. A guy who was out crabbing in the Southampton's came back with a good amount of blue claws ... I was jealous of course. So I guess I'm going to wait another few weeks before we head back out - when the water warms up and hopefully when I get other locations...I mean an hour drive really isn't too bad, but still, a little closer and I'd go every day.

Dr. Joe crabs: I'm young and broke so renting a boat, although probably my best bet for catching a nice amount, is completely out of my league. So it's just pier/dock crabbing for me. But I had read about Silly Lily's prior to heading out - just too expensive, that's all.


*How much do crab pots usually go for?*

-Heather

(thanks for the help!)

[Black Irish]

Ah ha. Catching green crabs? That's a clue to at least part of the problem. You are probably crabbing on a rocky bottom. Find a muddy bottom if you can, or at least a sandy bottom. 

You probably should check your local reg's to see if commercial type crab pots are ok to use. Down here in MD they go for about $25 each. The smaller crab traps with the 4 doors go for about $7 each.

[Joe Crabs]

Black Irish: Well, we were out there from 1 to 6.  But I guess our location was just not where the blue claws were biting. I know at 1 we were way to early (hi tide was at 6:41) - but even as we got closer to 6 - nada. A guy who was out crabbing in the Southampton's came back with a good amount of blue claws ... I was jealous of course. So I guess I'm going to wait another few weeks before we head back out - when the water warms up and hopefully when I get other locations...I mean an hour drive really isn't too bad, but still, a little closer and I'd go every day.

Dr. Joe crabs: I'm young and broke so renting a boat, although probably my best bet for catching a nice amount, is completely out of my league. So it's just pier/dock crabbing for me. But I had read about Silly Lily's prior to heading out - just too expensive, that's all.


*How much do crab pots usually go for?*

-Heather

(thanks for the help!)

Heather, I can appreciate that but at least you will get a good report. The Fords or is Forge River is one of the best spots out there. Maybe you can find a pir somewhere along there or a shoreline. Still early though.