I think they may be leaving. Kent Island 10/17/11

[cullermagic]

Had the worst day today since April. Launched at 10am and dropped 29 traps baited with fresh necks in my usual spot of 4-6 feet. Five checks later I had 8 really nice mudders over 6 inches in the basket and about 10 tossbacks. I pulled up everything and ran about a mile and dropped all in 8-12 feet and let it soak for half an hour thinking they were going to be in this deeper water. When I pulled the first set I got 3 big boys, after that it was hit or miss all afternoon. Ended up with only 23 keepers between just legal and 7.5 inches, I havent had this bad since early spring. I MIGHT try one more trip with my daughter this weekend but I believe its about over. Todays water temp was 60 degrees. Fall rockfishing here I come.

[crabbywaters]

I think you may be right. I was in crab alley on Sunday and it was slow in all depths. We could not find the crabs. We ended up with 30 nice quality crabs, but we had to work for them. May try a spot on the severn next week. Hopefully we can get them as there moving out.

[cullermagic]

I think you may be right. I was in crab alley on Sunday and it was slow in all depths. We could not find the crabs. We ended up with 30 nice quality crabs, but we had to work for them. May try a spot on the severn next week. Hopefully we can get them as there moving out.

Its amazing the difference a week makes. Last Monday my daughter and I filled a basket in under 3 hours and on Tuesday I got 3/4 of a basket in 4 hours. This week I think I could have stayed out for 10 hours and never filled it. Its been a great year though...

[crabbywaters]

It has been a great year on the eastern shore. Its sad to see them leaving. My girlfriend and i only had 15 traps and spent 2 hrs crabbing last weekend. We had a half bushel nice crabs. Sunday my dad and i had 25 traps and spent almost 5 hrs and only had 30. What a difference a week makes is right.

[Crabwisher]

Man i hope it is just the moon and the tides.

[Cmoore613]

NICE TRY. Better luck next time with your daughter. 

[lone sailor]

Deeper water seemed to work better down there last week for us too. We cancled our trip for monday after i checked the forecast and we didnt believe the winds would die down.

[KI Crabber]

Toughest thing this time of the year is the wind. The crabs are deeper and getting to them is more of a challenge with the wind. Once in a while you can find a lee shore that is near deep water. Good luck!

[cullermagic]

Toughest thing this time of the year is the wind. The crabs are deeper and getting to them is more of a challenge with the wind. Once in a while you can find a lee shore that is near deep water. Good luck!

The wind is a big problem however yesterday was very calm. I only have 15 feet of line on my traps so I cant go super deep. I'm going to try again Thursday and Sunday so I hope I can find some. Below is a pic of what I did with yesterdays modest catch.

[crabbywaters]

Omg that looks good..

[Straw Hatter]

The wind is a big problem however yesterday was very calm. I only have 15 feet of line on my traps so I cant go super deep. I'm going to try again Thursday and Sunday so I hope I can find some. Below is a pic of what I did with yesterdays modest catch.

I tip my cap to anyone who can pull traps deeper than about 14 feet.  Too much work for a wimp like me.  After two runs I'd be beat ... unless there's a crab in every trap.  For some reason that always makes the pain go away.

[Ronster]

Omg that looks good..

Agreed!

[mblanche]

Last year this time I was running in 18 feet of water and killing it. However, the weather was not nearly this crazy last fall. I'm going out friday morning on the Severn, I'll be sure to post a report that weekend.

[clueless crabber]

I'm giving it a shot on Friday as well ill probably be going to the Wye last year in the end of October we slammed them at the Choptank 2 bushels but for me the Choptank is a long drive so we will be trying the Wye or maybe on the west side of the bay this time, give you a post

[stoogeman]

Had the worst day today since April. Launched at 10am and dropped 29 traps baited with fresh necks in my usual spot of 4-6 feet. Five checks later I had 8 really nice mudders over 6 inches in the basket and about 10 tossbacks. I pulled up everything and ran about a mile and dropped all in 8-12 feet and let it soak for half an hour thinking they were going to be in this deeper water. When I pulled the first set I got 3 big boys, after that it was hit or miss all afternoon. Ended up with only 23 keepers between just legal and 7.5 inches, I havent had this bad since early spring. I MIGHT try one more trip with my daughter this weekend but I believe its about over. Todays water temp was 60 degrees. Fall rockfishing here I come.

Hmmm, we went out the day after you and were able to pack a bushel in 3 1/2 hours. A guy came in right behind us who also had a bushel. We were in our regular spot and with high tide, the water depth was 4-6 feet. Nice crabs, too.

[cullermagic]

Hmmm, we went out the day after you and were able to pack a bushel in 3 1/2 hours. A guy came in right behind us who also had a bushel. We were in our regular spot and with high tide, the water depth was 4-6 feet. Nice crabs, too.

Stoogeman, glad you found em!! I am going tomorrow (in the wind) and give it a shot, a friend wants one more trip this year, and I'm taking my daughter Sunday. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

[stoogeman]

Stoogeman, glad you found em!! I am going tomorrow (in the wind) and give it a shot, a friend wants one more trip this year, and I'm taking my daughter Sunday. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Man...with 15-20 kt winds gusting to 30 kts, you may want to rethink going on Thursday. It can get pretty hairy if you have to cross out into the open bay. Friday's forcast doesn't look much better. Good luck just the same!

[cullermagic]

Man...with 15-20 kt winds gusting to 30 kts, you may want to rethink going on Thursday. It can get pretty hairy if you have to cross out into the open bay. Friday's forcast doesn't look much better. Good luck just the same!

I am probally gonna stay down in the area you saw me at with my daughter, its sheltered in there so it might not be too bad. I have done great in there this year with the exception of Monday so maybe I can find em again. Thursday is my friends only free day so we will give it a try

[MetroMan]

Good lord that crabcake sandwich looks delicious

[CrabDog]

I heard 15-25 mph winds for thursday and gusts higher.. so be careful or maybe reschedule... also Wye has not been much better as of late.....  hit or miss
went Yesterday ( Tuesday ) and we got 53 crabs in 4 hours running 30 topless....depths all over.... a few as shalllow as 4 ft... but most 7 - 11 maybe a dozen sooks and 8 of those pesky wiggly mud catfish...     size and quality was good not great.. most 6 - 6.5 few 7 inch  few 5 1/2 - 6 inch... so OK day...
not on fire, but they are still there but you gotta work for em......

I am off Thursday and Friday this week also... not sure if I am going to go early Black Powder deer hunt or crab.. or maybe just go bass fish the local lake at this point...
With the heavy rain and then high winds today through tomorrow not ideal condtions for deer hunting.... sitting in the rain or high winds in a 20 ft tree stand is not very enjoyable... besides doubt much will move the next two days.......  especially since the fields still have crop in them.. so not much to break the fields ......  and woods still mostly have all their leaves which limits site of view line of fire.... and too rough to take boat out.. so maybe Friday or Saturday....


Good luck and be safe....

[Ronster]

I am off Thursday and Friday this week also... not sure if I am going to go early Black Powder deer hunt or crab.. or maybe just go bass fish the local lake at this point...

May I suggest a trip to the dog park followed by visit with the groomer?   

[cullermagic]

Good lord that crabcake sandwich looks delicious

It was. I only had a few crabs from my Monday trip so I picked em out and made 5 jumbo cakes with my moms secret reciepe from when I was a kid. Have never had a better one than hers anywhere.

[crabbywaters]

Mom crab cakes are the best. I always give my crab meat to my mom and it comes back so mean crab cakes.

[KI Crabber]

It was. I only had a few crabs from my Monday trip so I picked em out and made 5 jumbo cakes with my moms secret reciepe from when I was a kid. Have never had a better one than hers anywhere.

If you would share that secret recipe with us, everyone could say how good of a cook your mom was!!!! It looks pretty darn okay good enough to eat!!

[CrabDog]

May I suggest a trip to the dog park followed by visit with the groomer?   

Hey Ron... SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!   

I gotta find someone to take ChefLar's place.. he has been MIA lately....