wye big boys

[swamphox]

I am thinking about hitting the Wye tomorrow, anyone running a trotline. If so, what are your observations with running a line. Also thinking about running in the West river, any help with closed ramps and/or reports from that part of the western shore would be great.

Thanks

[swamphox]

Well, I went to the Wye today. This was My  best day crabbing of the year and probably my last. I ran 1200' using necks in a few different areas in depths from 6' to 18'. I honestly can't say which depth was producing the best results. I was also using a few traps, I don't know why I waste my time with those things. I ended up with nearly 2 full bushels. 90% were fat and dirty. The females were as plentiful as the males, all went back. The males were very jumpy, so speed was key in the deep water. I do think that this may be the last good weekend at the Wye.

[Joe Crabs]

Thanks for the report Swamphox, this may be my last weekend also

[southswell]

 Nice going Swamphox! Hitting it tomorrow. Joe, i'll let you know how I do. By the way Joe, nice mount. I had a 9" mounted last year. I want a 9 1/2 tomorrow, he needs a friend on the wall, pretty lonely.

[Joe Crabs]

Yeah me too, that's only an 8", but I need something to keep the adrenulin flowing during the winter. At least the weather cleared up for you tomorrow.

[Joe Crabs]

Hey Symphox, I don't want your spot but I am just curious which side of the river you were on. I have yet to see alot of females where I have been going. If I seen 4 it was alot. And any monsters in them bushels.

[swamphox]

I did have to break out the tape for one crab. He was close to 9". I did have a lot of realy big crabs. I threw one male back because of size and had to measure one because he looked a little small. For the last few years I have been crabbing closer to the mouth of the river. Just a little north of the mouth. I move around alot and don't really have one spot. I like to find new spots. This is the first year that I have seen this many females. Like you, If I see a half doz females in a day at the Wye then that is a lot. The last time I went to the same area, 75% of the crabs on the line were females. Never seen anything like it.

[Joe Crabs]

THX, that big boy is making my mouth water. I rent out of Schnaitman's so I can't get to the mouth, but I had noticed the last few times I went some guys were getting and KEEPING alot of females and I thought they were crabbing on the right side of the river. I have been hitting them around the landing area. hopefully they are still there in numbers. I'll get a report from Southswell today.

[southswell]

 Joe, hit the Wye today. If you go tomorrow, be EARLY! It was packed as [Sam Hill]! I rent at Schnaitmann's also, have my own motor. Anyway, not as good as the last two weeks. I got a full bushel in 4 1/2 hours, but worked my [arse] off for them. No consistant runs at all. Some people were hitting them, some were not. Anyway, I caught some monsters today but still they are not the normal fat, heavy, Wye crab I am used too. I don't know if the full moon the other night plays a factor this time of the year, but had some crabs that were papershells. I tried a different spot today though, go out of the landing to the left, make the first left, where the sheep are at the mansion. Go down to 8-10 feet of water as you enter Skipton Creek. That is where I was today, in the center and to the right, down from the little whit bridge that is on shore. I have had success there in the past. There was a guy in Schnaitmanns today working for them who said the Wye has been crabbed hard this past week, being the nice weather and reports. He said Thursday was insane, trailers and cars as far as you could see. Wish itwould  get cold, that will keep some away. Anyway, the last 4 times out I have caught 7 1/2 bushel, not bad considering this lousy year!Good luck tomorrow!

[Joe Crabs]

Thanks buddy, a solid bushel will do fine. A  few outings back I hit them on the left side opposite where you are talking, the guys on the right had a ton of females. Last time I got very few there and hit them in another area good. Last time out the guys over in your area hardly got anything but I think he was too shallow. But at least it gives me a few options. The weather has turned for the better and it is going to be nice which makes for an enjoying day. The tide should be OK high going out. But I am off Monday so I won't be in a rush to leave. Either way I'll hope for the best and enjoy the day. For some reason Sundays are little less crowded, maybe it's a church thing or something, but Monday is a holiday for some. Thanks for the update Southswell, I'll let you know how I do. PS how many traps did you use. I am only going with 16 this time and will try some handlining again. It's a challenge bringing them in in 8 ft of water, but it's fun and kills the time in betwee runs.

[southswell]

 I used 30 rings. Caught 0 females for the second straight time! Only threw back about 6 crabs. Lost 2 biggies, but oh well. I have noticed Sundays are less crowded as well. May try one more time this year, depending on my schedule. Take care!

[Howard]

Southswell/Joe Crabs/Swapfox:

Sorry I could not post this sooner, but I did get to the Wye on Friday and knew something was up when I had to wait to get into the water.  The word gets out fast if they are hitting at the Wye, huh?

Anyway the darn fog was thick as [Sam Hill] that morning and I had to take extra precautions because I could hear a lot of people out there.  I just bought a new bow light and I had a big hand held light as well.  I never crab to the left of the landing but I headed out  just past Skipton's creek and just about in the middle.   I was not expecting to do well, but got 4 on the first run and the two males were huge.  It was high tide and gettin ready to go back out so the current was tough and I had a heck of a time keeping my trot-line tight and finally decided to look for calmer waters.

Southswell, I went exactly where you went on Saturday, right in the middle of Skipton's Creek, with my 800 ft trot-line.  I even brought along 4 small traps, ugh! I had them close to shore in only about 8 ft of water and to my amazement caught another 5 nice males, 4 barely fit in them little things.  

For the day I only caught 3 females, one was probably 8" and about 4 males that were barely 6".  They all went back.  I brought home about 30 of the Wye Bad Boys and that was close to 2/3 bushel! Nothing smaller than 7" but nothing quite 8".  I had a few lighties in there, but who's complaining.

So...somebody has got to explain this sudden rush of crabs at the Wye!  Are we getting them as they past down to head out to the bay for the winter?  The water did feel rather cool, but it could be much warmer down there 8-10 ft.  I only had two drop off and actually had one that left the bait and stayed about a foot away trying to decide to attack my line again.  It was the wierdest thing!  But before he had a chance to do anything I netted his [arse]!  That was a pretty hungry crab.

This cannot last too long and I might even head out one more time, if the wife gives me my liberty card (He! He !)

Glad to hear we are all doing well at the Wye for a change.  

Take care and be safe out there!

R/Howard

[southswell]

 Howard, glad you kept safe! I hate the fog with a passion. I was hoping it wouldn't be Saturday, and thank goodness it wasn't. The size of the crabs are nice. My bushel Saturday was 4 dozen! Schnaitmanns son said the hurricane pushed all the crabs north into our tributaries. I just hope many decide to bury up in these waters, as last spring they didn't. If they did, many died from the hard winter I was told. Today is beautiful, wish I went out today instead, pretty cloudy yesterday. Take care!

[Joe Crabs]

It's getting to be a cliche but it is a good one. Another great day on the Wye. Was on the water at 5:30 to secure my spot and started crabbing after 7:30. I had a good 3/4 bushel by 10:00. Not bad using 20 traps. Slowed down on the slack and I left at 12:30. Ended up with a little over a bushel with a few 8+s, one 8 1/2 and one just under. Had over 2dz 7 1/2 +s with another 1 1/2 over 7"   .

One guy had 3 1/2 bushels crabbing in front of the dock with a trotline. Mixed bag a alot of BIG Heavy Wye crabs.

Some people were coming in with 6 or less. I guess they didn't go deep. I was way out there.

May have to go again while it is still hot. They just keep getting bigger and bigger for me.

Tomorrows a nice day Good luck if you are going out. It wasn't too crowed today though most key areas were taken.

[southswell]

 Joe, SWEET! Where did you end up crabbing? I want to go so bad, next two weeks are booked solid unfortunately. You definitely had a nice weather day. The crab you have mounted on this website, did you buy it or was it one you had caught and done for you? Just wondering as the site you have posted a link to, looks like the guy does really good work. Should have mounted one we caught Saturday, 8 1/4 for my dad, but I really want to have 9 inchers and up. For myself that is. I have a 9" one now. The guy did an okay job with it, but not as good as the one you posted. May pick up one for my pop for x'mas, a jumbo jimmie that is 7" or over from his website. Let me know what you think.

[Joe Crabs]

send me your e-mail address at Josph.Albasini@bbh.com, I send you my phone number and you can call me.

[Big AL]

I suppose I'm a lousy crabber. Went to the Wye on Sunday and it was not crowded. The motor would not start and about 7 other boats went out while we messed with the darn thing.
    Got it running and went out to the left and put out 16 traps. Motor konked out again spent the next hour working on it. Picked up the traps and had one crab in the 16 traps. I was ready to go in but my son said the motor was ok now so we went down the river and tried several areas with hardly any results. Total catch was 15 crabs.
    On the way back to the landing I heard THE FAT LADY SING. Good day as always keep smiling Big AL  

[Joe Crabs]

Hey Big Al, how deep were you crabbing, that has been the key. I was in the middle of the turn and the guy who got the the bushels was in front, but we both were crabbing in 10 to 13 ft of water. I had no luck in the lower lower areas and didn't spend much time there either.

[Big AL]

In answer to you Question I was in 10 feet al the way  up to 18 feet. Guess I'll have to attend crabbing school.
   At least the day turned out fine ,nice and sunny good clean air and sea breeze....... What more could a guy want?    Crabs maybe ?  Keep smiling   BIG AL

[Joe Crabs]

I guess location and some luck still matters. The guy at the dock did say there were a few people coming in and looking to buy crabs so it sounds like there in clusters. I got skunked a few times this summer. I get six and a guy at the dock has a bushel and a half; so I know how you feel. And that is why I am enjoying it right now too many bad trips this summer. But I'm on a roll. The last five trips have been great with each one better than the last. Not sure if I am going out again, did stock up for a few meals to Thanksgiven. I am tempted though after the last trip. It was a nice day to be on the water. Good Luck .