New Smyrna 10-4-2023

[SHELLFISH]

Season is winding down and thought I'd give it another run. Low tide at 6:30 am high at 12:30 crabbed from 7-11. Only 2 crabs caught! Less than I thought I would get today. I checked the water temperature 86F! No problems with that and the crabs should still be active. We did have a strong NW to SE wind today to about 20 mph. I have  not seen many crabbers at the south causeway lately and thankfully the Orlando crabbers have left the area!

[Joe Crabs]

You gave it a shot Jim. Crabbing the Wye on Monday. ;

[SHELLFISH]

Have a good time on the Wye!

[blueswmer]

Hey Thanks for the report SHELLFISH, Don't give up just yet, down south of you we are just getting fired up, I am reluctant to give spots out for the very reason of the Orlando crowd, I made a report once and every slob and their clan from O'town showed up and kept everything in sight, females, sponges, smalls, you name it, Man did I regret that, shame these people have no respect for the future of the fishery or themselves, or the areas they visit judging by the Garbage and filth they leave behind along our beloved river banks and mangroves! (end rant) -  I am about 40-50 mins south of you and have to say it is a strange season, I am finding BIG Jimmies where I would expect this time of year to find mostly ripe females and a few eager but smaller males in the mix, also the time of heavy catches have differed from what would be expected, Catching good numbers mid morning to early afternoon, and late afternoon/early evening till about 10 pm at latest, very little in wee early mornings and late evenings, I use hand made drop nets and bait with with chicken or mullett cleaning scrap, mostly heads, both seem to fish equally as well, and the puffers love it to. My advice is to Shake it up a bit, try different times and places as I did and stumbled on to this, I left you a few hints as to where to look in this post and if your Crab moxy is good you will figure it out, if not PM me and I will give you some spots and the same goes with the other members of the older crew here, just not going to broadcast anything anymore. I will post some Pics tomorrow night that should get the saliva flowing.. Good luck Everyone, Tight Lines,,,
Dutch,

As promised,  1/2 dozen did not make it to the photo shoot. 😑

[BlueTip4Me]

Good looking crabs! Sorry, but I kind of resent the blanket statement about folks from "Otown". I've lived in the area for 68 years, moved here at 2 yo, and have always cherished our natural resources. For me it's the people who move here from out of state that have no respect and only add to our over population. I also search for crabs, but ,usually have to buy them, unfortunately.    Regards,   Mark

[SHELLFISH]

Thanks for the photos of your crabs! They look great and good sized too!
I am too close to the inlet and get mostly small females in my area.
I will have to try south by Merritt for some bigger males.

[blueswmer]

Good looking crabs! Sorry, but I kind of resent the blanket statement about folks from "Otown". I've lived in the area for 68 years, moved here at 2 yo, and have always cherished our natural resources. For me it's the people who move here from out of state that have no respect and only add to our over population. I also search for crabs, but ,usually have to buy them, unfortunately.    Regards,   Mark

Hey Mark,

No need to resent a blanket statement was needed as to address everyone, and not only from 'O'Town' you should save the resent for the ones that are guilty, unlike yourself, They know who they are and need to be shamed at least or turned in to FWC at best, Play responsibly or don't play in my playground, I will have something to say about it,

Thank You for the complement and good luck, They are there, just a pain to find.
Tight lines Friend.
Dutch..~~~

[blueswmer]

Thanks for the photos of your crabs! They look great and good sized too!
I am too close to the inlet and get mostly small females in my area.
I will have to try south by Merritt for some bigger males.

Shoot me a message when you are planning the trip down, we can hook up, and you will be disappointed if you land in Merritt for sure, make your plan for a weekend we expect NNE winds 10 knots or above preferably after some heavy rain... BlueTip4Me Your also invited if you are interested.
Tight lines Gentlemen,
Dutch

[BlueTip4Me]

Blueswmr,   
Thanks for the invite.  Sorry, but I do get a little testy when peopl from the coast say they want to keep folks from inland out.  Some of that comes from the fact that us inside subsidize Citizens Insurance from our homeowner policies so that those on coast can have a cheaper rate with Citizens.  My other point of contention is the current situation in the Indian river with failing septic systems, fertilizer runoff and here we are helping to try to rectify the terrible situation, yet hear stay out of MY sandbox, it's mine. Not you, but many others.
  I fish the river as much as I can and when the wind allows it, the water quality and lack of seagrass is most disturbing. I put in at Parish park and for now can still catch a limit of Mangroves and more wormy trout but the trap thieves are out in force.  Regards , Mark