Salinity

[rdbeard]

 ok i've done the seach and couldn't find the exact info i waas looking for so what is the most preffered salinity the male crabs like and at what point would they leave an area to find it. with the lack or rain and the high temps of late i'm looking for an excuse if i can't find them this weekend.

[Dreampixels]

Nothing like planning ahead - I will do some research and see if I can find anything - interesting question.

[Dreampixels]

Only thing I have found is they prefer Brackish Water and have been found far enough up some rivers to be in totally fresh water.

So I would guess, the males would be running from the salt line and the females find it salty enough to hang out.

This would leave me to believe once the Females show up, so did the higher salinity water.

As far as preferred PPT for the males, I found no numbers.

[rdbeard]

thanks DP. right now the ppt for the patapsco, ft smallwood park area stands at about 4 ppt. it's been as high as 10 ppt since the season opened. this reading is takenat a depth of 1 meter. is saltwater heavier or lighter than fresh. it seems that with the lack of rain the salinity would be higher .

[Dreampixels]

It is my understand the Salt Water is below the fresh water. Actually I read somewhere that a Salt Water Jellyfish will sink in fresh water as it is the density of the salt water that allows the buoyancy.

So I would imagine the deeper you test the saltier it becomes to a point.

[Chef Lar]

Yes, salt water in denser. Aerial photos of the mouth of the Amazon are amazing.

[saltysenior]

ok i've done the seach and couldn't find the exact info i waas looking for so what is the most preffered salinity the male crabs like and at what point would they leave an area to find it. with the lack or rain and the high temps of late i'm looking for an excuse if i can't find them this weekend.
[/quot

 
in florida there are many spring fed runs[steams] that are 100% fresh water that have crabs in them...nice big crabs,but no taste

[Mr. Ray III]

ok i've done the seach and couldn't find the exact info i waas looking for so what is the most preffered salinity the male crabs like and at what point would they leave an area to find it. with the lack or rain and the high temps of late i'm looking for an excuse if i can't find them this weekend.

Crabs are not where you normally go.  i tried it on Thurs. 

[Grizzly36]

Crabs are not where you normally go.  i tried it on Thurs. 

And I tried it on Wednesday

[rdbeard]

So where are they Ray? north? i crabbed sat and sun were i always crab and did 2 bu sat and couldn't even fill 1 on sunday. Gona lay out a week if things don't change, 50.00 in fuel and 20.00 in bait has to be paid for.

[Mr. Ray III]

I'm not sure where they are.  I have been all over the river.  I think the heat has them laying down.  Either that or they took off up the bay.

[Summertop]

I'm not sure where they are.  I have been all over the river.  I think the heat has them laying down.  Either that or they took off up the bay.

 

[rdbeard]

Yea, my brother said he caught some recently that were covered in silty type stuff and that's the first thing he thought was they were burying up. i think i'll lay out sat. and watch a few guys with my binnocs and see what i see. Or maybe go fishin, i hear the live line bite is on.

[Mr. Ray III]

I caught a few peelers that had some nasty sandy silt on them, like your describing, but the jimmies have been pretty clean.

[Crabbyd]

rdbeard

they have been digging in.  The last week I have been catching some real dirty crabs that have a ton of flex.  Only explanation I can think of for this.

[Mr. Ray III]

rdbeard

they have been digging in.  The last week I have been catching some real dirty crabs that have a ton of flex.  Only explanation I can think of for this.

Time to get out the dredge.

[chilly1]

I was out on Sunday where we met last year, Mr. Ray, and I only did a few dozen and was off the water pretty early.  No one around me was doing any better.  I wonder if the excessive heat the last week or so has them moving into much deeper, and cooler water.....

chilly

[Joe Crabs]

Here's some info from the board.

EnvironmentWater Temperature
Water temperature requirements vary and are considered important, but no optimal range is reported.

When air temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), adult crabs leave shallow, inshore waters and seek deeper areas where they bury themselves and remain in a state of torpor throughout the winter. Blue crab growth is regulated by water temperature. Growth occurs when water temperatures are above 59°F (15°C). Water temperature above 91°F (33°C) is lethal. Blue crabs are susceptible to sudden drops in temperature.

Water Salinity
Salinity is important, but requirements vary by life stage. Generally optimum is 3-15 parts per thousand (ppt). In another section it noted females prefer 18 - 30 PPT.

Water pH
Tolerance range is pH 6-8. Less than 6 is lethal.

The previous week during the heat wave water temps on the surface of the Wye hit 90 F in some locations.

[Mr. Ray III]

I was out on Sunday where we met last year, Mr. Ray, and I only did a few dozen and was off the water pretty early.  No one around me was doing any better.  I wonder if the excessive heat the last week or so has them moving into much deeper, and cooler water.....

chilly

If its deeper its ALOT deeper.  i have tried all over the river.  In alot of different depths.  Havent tried 20+ yet....

[reds]

Muddy Bottom.

[Mr. Ray III]

Tried that too.  JUNK. 

[flounderpounder]

temp was 91 where i was saturday....and not many crabs.....i know of 4 bushel taken yesterday from redbeards grounds with 1.5 bu of good hard crabs;)  off my trot line with saturdays old bait

[Crabbyd]

Muddy Bottom.