temperature range for blue crab???

[paddycrabby]

I am wondering what temp it needs to be for the blue crabs to move into the shallows.  I plan on crabbing in the wareham area.

Also when is the earliest on a normal year(temp wise) you have caught in this area?

[masspi]

The Water is still very cold and the season does not start till next week.  I would think you might have some luck toward the end of April if the warming trend keeps going.  These past three days have slowed that trend down.  Be patient, read all the rules posted on the forum and do some research here, the BCA is a vast treasure trove of knowledge.

Remember, we are at the edge of the range and it might be possible to actually catch some crab in your area of the South Shore.  Global Warming, (if it really exists) could bump the range a little farther North.

Good luck

[crewstation]

From the Little Blue Crab (see bottom center of web page).

Water 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.

[paddycrabby]

Thanks a lot for the advise guys.  I have been reading this forum front to back lately and there is some great info here.  I am a fishaholic and this hobby will fit right into my families lifestyle.  I crabbed as a kid from about 8-12 yrs old and a couple times as an adult. 

I have a 10 pot lobster license but really do not use it.  Done it in the past quite a bit but I think now I would rather give the local lobsterman my money directly.   

I also am clamming for the first time this year in Duxbury. 

[crabbyjim]

crabs are closed until apr. 30   last year mid may produced with topless traps, no good crabbin in the shallows til the end of june, i'll let you know i'll be out the 1st of may. i'm in scituate and have never seen a blue crab here but have seen a few in dux. bay but not in numbers