Connecticut Crabbing

[scsmitty]

Hi all,
      I will be in Connecticut on leave from the Marines from early July to early August. Any news on how the crabbing is there yet. I will be going out at night with a boat and spotlight. Any info at all will help.

Thanks,
       Smitty

[SHELLFISH]

I'm down by Norwalk. Nothing yet and you usually don't see them till September. The water temp yesterday was only 63.4 degrees. Sorry for the news.

[scsmitty]

Well I hope they come sooner.  It's been many years since I have gone but I always seem to remember end of July, begining of August. Well it's been about 8 years since I have gone. When I used to go we would go to Niantic. Which way do you crab for them down in Norwalk?

Smitty

[SHELLFISH]

Usually with a dip net off the bridge piers or boat basins. I have been known to snorkle for them and just grab them as they are swimming but. Gotta be quick or you will get bit!!!!

[scsmitty]

I think that would be a good time snorkeling for them I am going to have to try that.

[SHELLFISH]

We had four inches of rain here yesterday! Raised the water temp to 66 degrees; it's getting there. I've lived in my house for fifty years; never any water in the basement. Yesterday water in the basement!

[Tuarus]

Hey guys, hows it going.  Just wanted to let you know I'm going out to old lyme and possibly new london tonight.  I let you guys know how i did.

[scsmitty]

Yes please do!!  Old Lyme is about 20 minutes from my house so it would be great to hear if there is any action there.  Good luck!!

Smitty

[SHELLFISH]

Everyone in CT is waiting for the first crabs to be caught. I heard they were around east of NewHaven. Nothing by Norwalk yet. Water temp now is high 60's to almost 70!

[scsmitty]

Well all the news is promising so far. I can't wait I fly out of california tomarrow night and in about 2 weeks I will be in connecticut. I'm going to Boston first. But hopefully when I do get into CT everyone will have great reports. And be feasting on crabs!!!!!!!!

Smitty

[SHELLFISH]

Best of luck to you and let us know how you did!

[Tuarus]

Hey guys sorry to say I only caught one(5.5")   I went fishing  at night time on sat. and sun.  Went down to new london first, thames river, and thats where I got it.  Went down to black hall in old lyme and didnt see anything.  On Sunday night went back to new london and nothin.  Then headed down to the Causeway in old saybrook, nothin.  Well, at least I got to taste'em.  Cant wait till I catch some more.  Just for fun I might go back this weekend.  I'll probly try old lyme in the am. 

Happy Crabbin!!

[scsmitty]

Did you catch the crab at night or during the day? And how did you catch it? I'm two weeks away from being in CT and I hope that they will improve by then.  Have you ever tried in Stoneington? That is where I used to go before the Marine Corps. Quite a awesome place.

Good luck

Smitty

[Tuarus]

Hey smitty, I cuaght it at night.  And I was wading in the water with a scoop net.  I had a small trap out as well and that got me nothin.  I've never been to stonington, I might have to try it out.  If all goes well they should be hitten right around the time you get home. 

[scsmitty]

Awesome  That's how I plan to go out either wading or with a small boat and a scoop net.  Glad to hear it.
I'm in Boston right now.  So much better than california. I will be in CT in less than to weeks and can not wait.  Keep me posted if you go out again. If you want I can find out all the directions from my granfather for Stonington just let me know.

Smitty

[Jaffe Joffer]

Hi all,

New to crabbing in Southeastern CT. I know about the DEP docks in Old Lyme, but I am looking for a place closer to New London, or just a different good spot. I don't have a boat (yet) so just looking for good land-based spots.

Thanks in advance

Jaffe

[Tuarus]

HEY JAFFE, WELCOME TO THE FORUM.  I GREW UP FISHING OVER BY THAMES RIVER.  RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE TRAIN TRACKS NEXT TO I95.  I WENT OUT OVER A WEEK AGO AND ONLY CAUGHT ONE.  I'M WAITIN TILL THE END OF THE MONTH AND HOPE THERE WILL BE MORE OUT THERE.  IF YOUR TRAVELING I95 N THEN YOU WOULD GET OFF EXIT 83 THEN JUST FOLLOW THE SIGNS FOR THE BOAT LAUNCH AND IT WILL TAKE YOU THERE.  GOOD LUCK!

[Joe Crabs]

Tuarus, Good Luck, I am sure your two best months are Aug. - Sept. Hopefully they will be there soon for you.

[Jaffe Joffer]

Thanks a heap! I've been down to the boat ramp before but never considered crabbing from it.

New topic:

I heard in general the three or so hours before high tide are the best time to crab. Is this true?

[Tuarus]

SORRY JAFFE I DIDNT GET BACK TO YOU SOON ENOUGH.  I WAS BROUGHT CRABBIN ON THE LOW TIDE. SO IM GUESSING THAT SHOULD WORK.  I HAVENT ACTUALLY CRABBED AT THE BOAT RAMP YET.  WHEN YOU'RE GETTIN TO THE BOAT LAUNCH PARKIN LOT.  TO THE RIGHT IS A PATH THAT YOU CAN PARK YOU CAR.  IF YOU KEEP WALKIN YOU WILL SEE ROCKS WHERE PEOPLE MAINLY FISH OFF OF.  AND IF YOU GO UNDER THE TRAIN TRACK YOU WILL SEE A  SANDY AREA.  TRY GOING OVER THERE.  IF I THINK OR HEAR OF ANY OTHER SPOTS I'LL POST THEM.     GOOD LUCK.

[red]

Hi anyone know of any good spots to crab in Norwalk CT?  Also has anyone be catching any keepers in Norwalk?

THANKS,

Red

[Tuarus]

HI RED, AND WELCOME.  ONE OF OUR MEMBERS (BOGMAN102) LIVES IN NORWALK, BUT HE HASNT REPORTED ANYTHING YET.  WE'RE WAITIN FOR AUGUST TO COME AROUND, HOPING THAT THEY'LL BE BITIN.  GOOD LUCK 

[SHELLFISH]

OK here I am, just saw the post. Red, the news is not too good! I haven't seen or heard of any crabs yet this year and it has been slow for the last two years. They are cyclical here. Three years ago they were pretty thick. But anyway the places to look are near teh mouths and up the tidal creeks between Norwalk and Fairfield. I haven't headed south too far (Greenwich way). If you go out very early in the morning you will see them hanging on to pilings and bridge abutments. The swinging railroad bridge that parallels Washington Street bridge is a good one. Watch out for marine police and their protection of it since 911. Gotta keep watch for Al Queda crabbers! Hope this helps; if you need more just call.

[Tuarus]

BOGMAN, I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON YOU.

[SHELLFISH]

Taurus, Where do you crab? When the crabs start running why don't you come on down and we can give er a go! If the crabs aren't running we could always get clams and oysters. The lobsters have picked up a bit so next year I'll get my license again (didn't get it this year). My boat, 20' Grady Overnighter,  is in a slip in Norwalk so we could go out from there.