nj report

[bayrunner]

how did everyonr do in jersey this weekend?  

[bettedemarco]

terrible!  we are getting tons of spider crabs in little egg harbor, with very few blue keepers... how about you?

[bayrunner]

first weekend we couldn't make it hopefully next weekend will be much better
last weekend up by seaside bridge got about 3 dozen keepers lot of throw backs

[Bdc]

It was another successful weekend for "the Little Orca" and it's guests. Was on the water and crabbing about 6:30am. Low Tide was 8:48am. Caught 24 upto that point then it died for an hour as the tide changed. Then....wew...they came on. We ended up w/ 60 very nice and heavy keepers. We actually stopped crabbing and said....that's enough. Very few times have i ever done that. Then we went to empty the pots that we put out Thursday evening. Got another 19 out of two of them. So we were out there for about 5-5 1/2 hours and came home w/ 79 keepers. What can i say? What a great day!!! This week should be a little off w/ all the expected rain, but then you never know. Going out this evening to empty the pots...if the storms hold off.
Good luck to all.
-Bdc

[Stuart]

I crabbed LBI on Saturday.  Causeway boat rentals are up to $80.  This is getting ludicrous.  I can rent a car for $30 for 24 hours, but a rowboat with a 5hp motor is $80 for 12 hours?  

Well we motored out to marker 62 for the start of low tide.  Dropped our bunker filled drop lines and immediatelly pulled up the largest male that I have ever caught.  It was pretty close to a seven incher.  All indications were for a big day!  Then an hour later we had a total of 3 keepers  I have never seen so many babies.  We crabbed from 6:30am to noon and ended up with only about 20 male keepers.  3 were pretty huge and the rest were of the 4-5" variety.  We definately threw back at least 150 undersized crabs.  Worst part about it is that those babies do a job to your bait.  The Bunker tails and mid sections worked well, but couldn't catch anything off of the heads.

I'm definately returning in September when those babies are large enough to eat.

Strangely, the crabs seem a bit meatier this year?  Anyone else notice that?

[fatmatt]

I was also @ L.B.I. this weekend. Went Fri. morning, just past causeway rentals, to the peir on the right hand side. Had my traps in the water @ 7.am....We pulled up 3,4,5,&6 crabs at a time in each trap.....Caught over 100 crabs in a few hours. At the end of the day we had 2 keepers. Two!!!!! Im sorry, but something's wrong when the crabs are out in force like that, but no size at all. I know it's still kind of early, but i'ts not April !! We're almost into August..... I'll try again @ the end of the season.. At least i did'nt pay $80 for a boat..( I checked there too, and your right, that is CRAZY. It's because your right on the bay, and they get alot of fishing rentals.) Wel, good luck everyone. Hope to post something better next time.

[3D]

They're in Manahawkin Bay this season is the best season I've had...

Guys look at your reports do you see the pattern?