Rock Hall 10-24-11 Late report with pics

My son and i went out of Bogles and dropped at 6:45 AM. Not a vehicle in the lot. Couldn't believe we were the only ones out! Figure it was too cool or everyone is hunting or the worse thing possible, it's over down here. Dropped our traps and first run did very well.

OK people, put away your fangs and daggers. I know the rules! Just getting you in practice for when it really is over and the snowy winter blues set in causing everyone to pounce on everyone’s posts . OK, let's start again. laugh

Got to River rock sporting to get ramp permit. Had already knew fees went from $10 last year to $30 for out of state foreigners. Just our luck, they had no more 3 day passes but still had a few yr passes for $60. Well this was only the 4th time out to MD this year and I really didn't care at that point if the trip jumped another $30. I was happy to finally get out since before the hurricanes. The worst that could happen is it forces us to make another trip to justify the xtra money. Oh well, sh#@ happens!

Got to Bogles a little past 8 and there were around 8-9 vehicles in lot. Tough launching in dead low at that ramp. Finally got in and headed up river to a spot. The spot we wanted was taken and had to head further up river. Dropped traps from 6 to 10 and started our runs. First 2 runs, "0". Not even a throw back. Moved half traps from 10-15 ft having 2 lines. 2 more runs "0". Couldn’t believe it. Took some traps and moved from 4-6 ft and same results. Time to move

Pulled up and moved back down. river. most of the crabbers had left. The boats nearest us I didn’t see much action on their trot. Was thinking maybe this will end up being a $150 river ride. Made a circle loop line from 6 to 22 ft and back again in hopes they were there. I have done well at this spot in the past. Just before starting run, another boater came over to find out how we did. Told him 0 crabs. He said he had same luck at 3 different locations. He talked to a comm. and after 3 ½ hours had ½ bu. Made a run and lo and behold, a crab. A #$@&* 5” crab at best. Next couple runs picked up (4) 5.5 to 6.5 crabs. By 1 we had 10 crabs. Only $15 a crab, not bad!!! We moved traps constantly with not much success. Out of desperation, my son wants to drop 10 traps shallow. Lay 10 out in 3-4 ft and run deeper lines and get 1. Try the shallow and (2) 7”+ crabs. Next run 0 deep and 2 more 7”+ in shallow. Move 17 traps to 3.5 ft and was getting 2-3 each run. Shallow. They were in a small area so we set a 2nd line in 4.5 ft parallel to first. . We ended up getting 2-6 per run with a grand total of 47 nice crabs. Just about full bu. (35) 7+ in, (15) 6-7 inch , (2) 5.5-6 in, and the first one in 2 years (1) mumbo exactly 8” . Total crabbing time 9 am to 5 pm. Talked to the only other boater left at ramp and he was out 1.5 hr longer than us and got 2 bu on 1200” ttrott line.

ok, i forgot that you have to be exact in posting. The 5" crab WENT BACK IN THE WATER