Wye River Planning Vacation Kindly Asking for Help

[max2599]

Hello Everyone. First I want to thank you all for making this an outstanding forum.  It’s so nice to know that there are kind people out there willing to help others learn the art and science of crabbing.  I have been frequenting this forum since last summer and this is my second post aside from my introduction post. 

I grew up fishing and crabbing in NJ before moving to Florida when I was 19 and most recently to North Carolina in 2006. I am a proud father of a 13 year old son who is my fishing and crabbing buddy. I turned my son onto crabbing last summer when we vacationed in NJ for nostalgia reasons. Unfortunately, we only had one morning to crab but he now hopes for a “crabbing vacation” this summer. So, I plan on making his dream come true.  I am now in the process of planning for our summer vacation and I am kindly asking for some much needed guidance from the fine people on this forum.  Please know I have searched the forum from top to bottom.

My original plan was to go crabbing in Dividing Creek, NJ.  This is a possible option but I am much more intrigued with giving Maryland a serious try. My wife, son, and I have been to Jersey several times and ready for a new game plan.  After much research, I am excited about the possibility of giving the Wye River a try the end of July (either the week of July 23rd or July 30th.  We plan on staying for a week.

Here are my questions I am seeking guidance:

1.   I have read a lot of wonderful stories about Capt. Chuck Schnaitman. My plan would be to charter Capt. Chuck for a crabbing trip. Having fished numerous tournaments with my son here in NC, we are completely for being courteous to others on the water. The last thing we wish to do is interfere with commercial gear and other recreational crabbers.  Perhaps Capt. Chuck can teach us some of the ins and outs of crabbing on the Wye River and having fun in the process.  In this way, we might learn some valuable information on how to crab the Wye River when we go alone after our trip with Capt. Schnaitman. 

2.   I am thinking about towing my boat and using it on the Wye River.  I realize that one can rent boats at Schnaitman’s Boat Rentals but I like the possibility of having the freedom of my own vessel. I have a 19’6” Key West Bay Reef boat.  Do you think it would be worth me towing my boat from NC to Maryland or is this too ambitious?  I am perfectly OK with rising early to put in the Wye Landing ramp as we normally leave our home at 3 AM to fish for old drum the end of the summer. I also know that I need to purchase a ramp pass. 

3.   Lodging. I have tried very hard to find lodging that might accommodate a boat without success.  I did find Harris Cove Cottage Bed N Boat that is not too far away from the Wye I believe.   Yet I am not sure if I can keep my own boat at Harris’s.  If anyone has any recommendations on lodging and having a boat, I would be most appreciative of your help.

4.   I reckon that trotlining might be a bit too difficult for me to set up. As such, I am thinking about using topless traps instead (except on Wednesday, of course).   

 I would be most appreciative on any suggestions you might have.  If any of my plans sound unreasonable, please let me know.

Thank you in advance.

Good Crabbing!

Max2599

[Mutzy crab man]

I can help you with #3..When we have our BCA Wye River get together we stay at the COMFORT INN in Easton Md.The guys leave their boats in the parking lot.

[fishingtom]

I can help with #2.  Think about how much fuel you will burn dragging that boat 1000 miles (up and back)  Now consider a bearing problem, flat tire, or even catastrophic failure of the bearings on the road 500 miles from home.   Renting seems like an absolute no brainer IMO.  I am sure if you pay ahead Chuck will reserve a boat for you and they are crabbing boats.  Nothing fancy but easy to operate and hard to destroy.  Also no ramp fee.  I do understand wanting your own boat but really, do the math...Hope this helps

Ps. the boat will be in the water when you get there ready to go and I bet the inside info will be a little better if you rent from him

[max2599]

Thank you for the very fast replies, Mutzy Crab Man and Fishingtom.  I'll check out the Comfort Inn.  Indeed it sounds like risky business towing my boat from NC.  I like the thought of being able to reserve a boat.  I’ll be in touch with Capt. Schnaitman this week to look into this possibility.

Thank you again,

Max2599

[Dreampixels]

Thank you for the very fast replies, Mutzy Crab Man and Fishingtom.  I'll check out the Comfort Inn.  Indeed it sounds like risky business towing my boat from NC.  I like the thought of being able to reserve a boat.  I’ll be in touch with Capt. Schnaitman this week to look into this possibility.

Thank you again,

Max2599

Tell em your are with the BCA - Billy is the one to talk to.

[fishingtom]

Tell em your are with the BCA - Billy is the one to talk to.

What ever you do, DON"T MENTION Dp.

[registereduser]

i say bring the boat, not a bad drive, i do it all the time 400 miles each way
make sure bearings and spare are good,
I put a lot of stuff in the boat that i wouldnt bring otherwise, make sure you load it evenly if you do so.
having the boat gives you more flexability and options, you could take a day trip to dc or oc.

[Whaler1965]

If you absolutely must go to the Wye than this won’t help. If you are open to trying somewhere else, you have choices. A lot of the guys here love the Wye and that’s one of the reasons I don’t go to Wye anymore. In my experience, it can get extremely crowded and you have to know where to go once you’re there. This is not a bash on the Wye, it’s beautiful there and someone must be catching something there or it wouldn’t continue to be as popular as it is year after year. The Wye was actually the fires place I ever crabbed 40 years ago….

Just throwing this out as a second option…You can try the Queen Anne’s County public ramps. Not sure what the out of town daily trailer sticker cost is for Queen Anne’s County is but it can’t be too bad …plus, it’s your vacation so why not splurge!!!! There are plenty of choices and it’s fun to explore the different tributaries. The ramps will be highlighted on a pamphlet when you get your sticker.  There is plenty of lodging, good seafood restaurants, and great crabbing on Kent Island. The outlets are not that far away so the wife can shop while you and the boy crab. When you select a place to stay, you have to consider where you will be able to steam your crabs. Some of the places have efficiencies with stove in the room but if you get lucky and end up with a bushel it will take you forever to stream them. Maybe one of the guys here will have a thought or two on that dilemma.

If you do end up at the Wye, I’m sure you will have a great time and I know you will catch crabs. It’s all about creating those memories. My youngest is 15 and my oldest is 19…those guys could tell you some fishing and crabbing stories with many more a to come. I had them on the boat since they before they could talk.

Good luck!

[Dreampixels]

 

I agree with ya Whaler as long as they do not rent from Billy. it will cost ya and extra 7 bucks or so to trailer over the BB and then Talbot county sticker is 40 bucks to launch - QA sticker is 60 bucks to launch - however QA will do a daily permit also for about 10 bucks or so.

On vacation, want to travel free - I would rent.

People begin to arrive at the Wye around 4 am, go out on the water, play themselves out and come back to the ramp often times in rare form - this is the main reason I avoid the Wye when possible or arrive later in the day when I do go.

[max2599]

Thank you very much for your thoughtful replies.  As for the possibility of towing the boat to Maryland from NC, I would make safety the priority as I always do (e.g., I have a good spare tire, trailer safety inspection and do whatever maintenance would be required).  Yet I have not made any decision on whether to tow or not. 

Schnaitman’s Boat Rentals says “We do not accept reservations. All boats are on a first come, first serve basis.” This may pose to be a problem as I would hate to come all that way and be shut out with no place to go.

Whaler, sounds like we raised our sons the same way! Actually, I am not committed to the Wye. I am very flexible.  In fact, my son and I frequently fish away from the crowds. Contending with the Wye crowds might be very challenging and frustrating indeed. I very much like the idea about Kent Island and the options available for my wife especially.  If I were to investigate the Kent Island possibility more closely, would you or anyone else recommend I bring my own boat? Or on the other hand are there boat rentals available on Kent Island or guides that would be willing to help me learn the area? Again, I appreciate your and everyone’s help.

Take care,

Max2599

[on the hook]

Max, I'm sure you will get some help here, and the Wye is great to crab. By late July most of the mumbos will have been snagged up, so you will be catching just crabs IMO. If I had my own boat, I would go to Kent Narrows area. I actually do stay there if going down for any length of time, but it is just my wife and I. There ia a lot more @ the Narrows to do/see. Great food and plenty of motels. All are boat friendly I believe.

The launch @ the Narrows(google earth) is big with plenty of parking. You can see it just north of the BB and on Kent Island(?)....You can crab north towards the Chester, which IMO is just as good as the Wye. You could run to the Wye also. It is not that far. Just have to watch the weather. I would do the Schnaitman charter, but it will be dipping/lining, I'm sure. Chuck will help you out.

On the other hand, just renting @ Schnaitmans is not a bad idea. If you have enough traps etc, then you really do not need a bushell or 2 a day. I used to go and figured if I just got about 1-2 doz, that was plenty. If more, then I'd cull or give them away. Now mind you, I mean if I was moteling it. I was the only one eating crabs, and we still have to go eat dinner. Wife loves to crab, but not eat any..

Yep, either way, you will enjoy it...good luck

[jack1747]

I'd stay in NC and go crabbing with Gene...

[max2599]

Thank you for your great information, On the Hook.  Would you believe that I spent all day researching the Kent Narrows area! As you and Whalter1965 note, there does appear to be a whole lot more to do in this area. Since my wife likes shopping and nice restaurants, I like the sound of the Kent Narrows/Kent Island area.

The information you provided about the Kent Narrows ramp confirmed my thinking that this might be a good ramp to use should I bring my boat.  The Kent Narrows ramp seems to be ideally located to go crabbing at any number of places, of course weather provided. So right now I am looking into lodging near Kent Narrows and boat storage if the hotels/motels don’t accommodate boats.  I am still contemplating taking Capt. Chuck for a charter as well.

If anyone else has any ideas about my plans, I would again be most appreciative.

Jack: Crabbing in NC doesn’t excite me too much as compared to vacationing and crabbing in Maryland!

Take care,

Max2599

[Ronster]

I'd stay in NC and go crabbing with Gene...

 

[mdjohn]

.
 

[Mikie]

A word to the wise. If you decide to bring your boat and launch at the Narrows, be sure it is running well before you depart the launching area. The current in the Narrows really rips and if it is ebbing, you will be on the bridge pilings before you would have a chance to make any repairs.

[tugcapt]

You mentioned Harris Cove Bed N Boat. They have a ramp and they also rent boats and crab gear.  

on their webpage: "Rental boats and motors (for our guests); boat ramp; Courtesy dockage for our guests' small boats"

"We have our own boat ramp which can accommodate boats up to about 18'.  No boat?  No problem!  We have boats and motors to rent.  Our 14' and 16' sturdy fiberglass boats are licensed to take motors up to 10 h.p. so bring your boat, rent one of ours - - - - or - - - - row, row, row!


http://bednboat.com/

[Whaler1965]

A word to the wise. If you decide to bring your boat and launch at the Narrows, be sure it is running well before you depart the launching area. The current in the Narrows really rips and if it is ebbing, you will be on the bridge pilings before you would have a chance to make any repairs.

Remember the old ramps next to the marina???...you better get that thing running or away you go....at least the new ramps have a bit of a buffer.

[max2599]

Hello Everyone,

This post is just a quick update on my progress.  I have decided to spend my vacation with my son and wife at Kent Narrows this July 28 to August 1.  We’ll be staying at the Best Western as this was the only place available in July that has a kitchenette (made reservations last week). I have decided to trailer my boat. I found a great marina where I will keep my boat (and nice people who operate the marina as well).

I had a pleasant conversation with Billy Schnaitman about crabbing on the Wye River (thank you, Billy).  I also had a wonderful chat with Capt. Moose. I learned quite a bit about topless traps and excited to use these traps (my intentions are to make crabbing adventures each summer given my son’s enthusiasm). Coincidently, Capt. Moose and I are both from New Jersey—he’s from Wildwood Crest, NJ which happens to be close to the area that I have the fondest memories crabbing with my grandfather and family as a child…small world it is indeed). 

I’ll be sure to post crabbing reports and I hope that they will be positive! 

I want to thank everyone who helped me plan this vacation.

Take care,

Max2599

[crabbywaters]

The wye is absulty beautiful and the crabs are top quality. Its famous for a reason, its not the size and the amount of crabs you will catch that make it a awesome place, its the history and beauty of the wye. Sunrise on the wye in late October with the migrating birds and the mist over the water "priceless". I don't care what people say, those crabs in that river taste better then any other crab. Enjoy your vacation..