First Crab of 2024 (01/01/2024)

[CraigFos]

After taking last year off, I restarted my New Years tradition of catching the first crab of the year. When I got up for my 6:00 AM run, the fog was so thick that I could not see 10 feet before me even with my headlamp on. By the time I left the house, the fog was lifting, and the temperatures were rising into the 60s. Before I left, I told my wife I would be happy if I just caught one crab. As I made the 20-minute drive to the salt ponds on Galveston Island, I saw rain clouds in the distance and was afraid that my trip was gonna be a wash. Fortunately, the clouds held off and I was able to spend a couple hours on the water.

I put out eight handlines, spread out over three different salt ponds. The largest pond was at an extremely low tide and unfortunately, it was very clear. Over the first 30 minutes, I did not see a single crab, turtle, mud minnow, or even a bird. Finally, a stork and a flock of pelicans landed on one of the ponds and I saw this as a good sign. The next line I pulled had a little weight to it.  Low and behold, the first crab of the year.  It was a New Jersey keeper that went back to grow after a photo op. 

A group of seagulls joined the fun and my next line gave me my one keeper crab.  Since I told my wife I would be happy with one crab, I should have packed up and headed home.  I kept crabbing for another hour, but the only crabs that bit were silver dollar size. 
I had a crab cocktail with my New Years dinner!

The only downer for the trip was that my brother was not with me and I was not able to call him to tell him the tale of my trip.  He was with me in spirit, and I felt his strong presence the entire morning.

Happy New Year, everybody, and Go Texans!

[suzyq52]

I'm sure Brian was with you in spirit!

[Logical1]

Congratulations on getting the first crab posted on the forum Craig. Sorry your brother could not be there, but I am sure he was in spirit. Adam (arti0972) always like to have the first reported catch in Maryland. There are some who might post catching some off of a dock, but Adam differentiated that from actually getting gear and going out and actively catching them. I know when I do my first crabbing trip in April to honor Adam, I feel like he is with me as I do the things he taught me.

[In a Pinch]

Cool.
Thanks for sharing your story, and Happy New Year.

[SHELLFISH]

Thanks for the first 2024 report!
Happy and healthy 2024!

[discover]

Great way to start off the new year. Thanks for sharing your trip with us

[king crab 48]

Was great to see you give it a try!  I know it must have been tough without your brother with you.  Hope the crab gods treat you well this season