Driving home I was thinking about my day,, and as you all know, I like to run my traps in a straight line.. I don't think thats the best way right now.. I should learn to scatter them about this late in the season.. I had over 10 traps out of 26 that did not have the bait touched 1 time.. I should have scatterd at least 6 traps around those piers and probably would have done better.. Also that ' Clam Line Bouy' ,, produced again as usual.. Should have scattered several around there too.. I'm learning still,, so I'll be ready for next year.. ' JC ',, don't worry about next year,, with all the little ones I got this year, I can only believe it's still going to be good..
Mike,
That would probably be a good idea. I went out on 10/20/05 and had 1 line of traps and it was SLOW. Once I caught a few each run they were always in the same 2 little areas and then nothing. So I bunched some of my traps in circles in those holes and it made a big difference in the numbers I caught. If I had stayed in the line I would of had 1-3 a run. but when I got to the circles/holes I might catch 2-4 crabs in each hole. It was weird because I would pull up to those traps and I almost knew there would be a crab in those traps and I was seldom dissappointed and gave me an average of 5-6 crabs a run. It was slower running my traps by doing it that way, but the runs were more productive, so it actually help fill the bushel faster. So that is a good trick to remember. I like to maximize my efforts pulling traps. When they are on a line is fast and productive, but let the crabs dictate how, where , and what to do to maximize your time on the water.
It is just like fishing in the sense of every day can be different and let the fish/crabs tell you what they want and then give it to em. I had one female that day about as muddy as the one in your picture. I think I must have laid a trap so close to her while she was burying herself in the mud that she couldn't resist one last chicken neck snack before winter. I let her go, but I had never seen a crabs so filthy. Almost un appetizing...! I also noticed the crabs were a lot more sluggish. not as feisty and moved slow. I drove home 2 hours drive and didn't lose a crab, sometimes I might lose 1-3 crabs driving home especially if it is hot. Even with a wet towel and ice bags on top of the bushels. Oh well. Still beats going to work.
I am already wishing for next year'ws season. I just put all my crabbing gear up last night and it was depressing....
...............CrabDog
