Great Bridge Lock Park 05/20/2012

[whatsagoodalias]

Went crabbing at the locks for the first time this morning. At first, we set up shop right by the locks themselves and caught 2 legal jimmies right off the bat. And then...... Nothing. We crabbed the locks for a few hours hopeful that the crabbing would get better, but we only ended up with a total of four. We packed up to leave and as we were driving out, we decided to try the marina side of the park by Kelly's Tavern. We set up 6 hand lines with drumsticks and were pulling crabs as fast as we could set lines. We ended up with a dozen keepers in an hour and maybe as many as 40 that were too small to keep. The smalls were coming up in bunches of 3. We had a great time and hope to hit this spot again next weekend.

[CRABGUY]

ITS A GOOD SPOT!!!!!
I USUALLY SET UP LINES ON BOTH SIDES  AT FIRST, AND THEN END UP ON ONE SIDE

[tattoo]

nice catch , thanks for the report.

[whatsagoodalias]

Thanks guys. Crabguy, your posts about the locks is the reason we ventured out there in the first place! Haha, you have any secret spots back there, or is it just the locks and the strip that I crabbed today? Also, does the opening of the locks have any effect on the crabbing?

[CRABGUY]

YOU'LL NEED A BOAT TO GET TO WHERE I CRAB, , I HAVE NOT NOTICED THE GATES HAVING ANY EFFECT ON THE CATCH

[dmpls79]

I was wondering if people are allowed to crab at great bridge lock park after sunset. I was thinking of going tonight after work and is there enough ambient light there so that you can see the crabs you bring up. I will be doing it the good old fashion way .. chicken on a string =)

[home grown crabber]

Im pretty sure you can.ive done it and never been told anything different.you should b fine with the light thing to.Have fun and post a report about your catch if you do go.im curious to see whats going on there!

[CRABGUY]

THE "PARK" CLOSES AT SUNSET THE LOCKS ARE NOT PART OF THE PARK

[CRABGUY]

ITS GREAT TO SEE SOME OF THE LOCALS HERE,

[whatsagoodalias]

Got out to marina side again yesterday morning. We hit it early at 7am and strung out 6 lines. Caught 9 barely legals and a whole mess of small crabs. One pull had 4 crabs. One tiny crab was so tenacious, I played crab rodeo with him. Anyways, we pulled 9 keepers in about 2 hours and that made for a good lunch. This spot has been great so far, thanks for steering me here Crabguy!

[CRABGUY]

MAY  TRY IT TOMORROW

[dmpls79]

Was out there friday night around 9pm ... dropped 2 lines and within seconds felt some tugging. Was able to catch 2-3 but they were small so tossed them back .  Was there for prob 2 hrs and no keepers for me, afterwards drove all the way to Lesnar bridge and  saw a couple of guys with poles and nets as they were leaving and asked them how the fishing/crabbing was and they said they caught a lot of crabs earlier during the day when it was low tide but now it was high tide..so we ended up fishing and caught 4-5 8-10" croakers.

[CRABGUY]

I WAS THERE SUNDAY IN THE EARLY AM, IT WAS PITIFUL
STAYED 2 HRS , 6 KEEPERS,
THE POTTERS HAVE SHOWED UP ON THE WEST SIDE  OF THE LOCKS  ALL THE WAY TO THE STEEL BRIDGE, 

[The Crackin]

7-13-12
I went to great bridge last week and crabbed on the lock side.  When I got there I caught 5 keepers right off the bat.  There were others there before me with a lot more lines out and they only caught one jumbo, go figure.  As soon as it got really hot out they stopped biting. Then I went a few days ago and as soon as the sun went down they started biting. Unfortunately, ALL of my bait fell off before I could take advantage!  It must have been a rookie mistake. Lesson Learned.  I am searching for peaceful, successful spots for crabbing.  I prefer something off the grid that doesn't need a boat.  Does anyone have any advice?

[alra195]

I did about 4 hours at GB on 17 July .  Had ten rings out and three hand lines and never saw the first sign of life.  First time in six or seven years this site hasn't produced something.  I've had slow days before but the was the toughest I've seen it.  Talked with all the other folks on site that day and only one person caught "one" legal crab.

Guess that's why it's fishin' and not catchin'!

Thanks,

Joe

[CRABGUY]

YEP BEEN SAD THIS YEAR