Ingles, Yankeetown area

[Maryland Crab]

Went over to Yankeetown near Ingles this morning caught the incomming tide.
Was very very disapointed.What usually is my go to spot to get a few dozen in a hour or two has been very frustrating latley.
Caught about a dozen small females and ended up with only four nice males.
Been really slow over there this year last year was way more productive,dont understand it .
Ill try back again in a few weeks and see if things turn around.

[GatorTales]

Marylander-

  Your last post is pretty old, but I thought I'd answer it. The crabbing on this coast is really hit-and-miss. However, this is the best season, and you should keep trying.
  Have you tried Crystal River or Weeki Watchiee yet? They are a bit of a drive (we're in Dunnellon), but can be worth it. Both have small piers you can crab from. Sent me a PM and I'll give you directions.

Regards,

Gatortales
[email protected]
www.dunnellononline.com

[tattoo]

At keast you are catching somthing. WTG. 

[Oscar D]

I went out fishing yesterday near Weedon Island (off of Tampay Bay) and the Blue Crabs were THICK!!!  I was targeting trout (Weakfish), but didn't get any I did get some Jacks and a "Coconut".  Yes, a real coconut floated by (in it's hull), it still had some green on it from where it was attached to the tree.

Anyways, back to crabs ....
None were big, but were keepers.  I saw some swimming by and the guy on the bridge (going for Sheepshead kept pulling them up (but not all the way), I set the hook on two of them (males), but let them go.

[tattoo]

WOW that is neet, as long as you had a good time.

[Oscar D]

I went back to the same spot, leaving my fishing gear behind.  I Took a couple of chicken legs, rope and some 1oz weights to try my luck.

Brought home 5 beautiful Jimmies, 5.5 to 6 inches across.  I also caught a bunch of smaller ones which I culled out.

I haven't chicken necked in 2 years, it was nice to get back to it.
I know a lot of you guys are either pros or have boats and there probably ain't to many of us chicken neckers on this board so I didn't think you would want pictures of the finished product (you know fresh steamed blue crab with no mud in 'em) and besides I'm still waiting on a replacement USB cable to be delivered for my camera.

I also found something else out.  Yellow Tail Jacks like chicken.  I thought I had the Mother of all Crab on when a school of Jacks came through, good thing I had my rope pinned down by a rock,  that thing went taut in .02 seconds.
The school pushed a bunch of bait into some Mangroves and all [Sam Hill] broke loose.
That is always a neat thing to see, I never get tired of that.

Sorry, but no coconuts today.

[captaincrab55]

WTG Oscar ,   Sounds like dinner-time was  special....

[Oscar D]

They sure were tasty!  Somehow food always does taste best when you catch it, grow it or raise it.

My wife came home just as I was finishing them and said it smelled real good and that she was in the mood for some (too bad).  I had to remind her that I had asked earlier that day if I caught enough would she want some and she said no.  That was why I was letting the smaller ones go.

Oh and the best was the mustard, I just love that stuff when it's hot!  I know I really shouldn't be going to town on it, but I've been eating it since I could remember, I can't remember the last time I had crab and didn't eat the mustard,  except when someone else cooked them and (ugh) boiled it away.  I can't stand boiled crab. nothing but steamed for me.

Dang, I'm hungry for more.  I wonder if those 4" guys would be willing to get caught this afternoon?

[R D]

Well I guess i can't say anything about those boys from the north eating the mustard anymore,  the Chesapeake is pristine compared to Tampa Bay,my hats off to anyone brave enough to eat the crabs out of there, much less the mustard

[Oscar D]

You got me to thinking so I went to the EPA site and looked it up (however briefly) and at a glance it seems that TB is a bit better off than most of the NE.
http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nccr/2005/downloads.html

But besides the EPA I guess I also rely on nature.  The bay (though once in bad shape) has rebounded nicely.  I do see a lot of wildlife from Sea Horses in Cockroach bay to Porpoises hunting at the top of the bay (Rocky Creek/Double Branch) and I'm still hopeful to see a Scallop swim by. 

However, when it comes to the bay and taking food from it I draw the line at Oysters (and I've seen people take them, put them in buckets and put the bucket in their car, so I doubt they're using them as bait) and whelks/conch, which at $16 a LB for Bahama Conch can be tempting (not).

Besides, it's only a couple of crabs, it can't be to bad.
Can it?

[tattoo]

Must be nice catching crabs in JAN. 

[GatorTales]

"I also found something else out.  Yellow Tail Jacks like chicken.  I thought I had the Mother of all Crab on when a school of Jacks came through, good thing I had my rope pinned down by a rock,  that thing went taut in .02 seconds."


  I once had a 10' spearfish take a chicken neck on a handline in Miami. We were crabbing in a 12' inflatable boat. One look at that spear and I decided to let the spearfish have the chicken.
  Discretion is the better part of valor.

[tattoo]

 

[crabbinlady]

Went over to Yankeetown near Ingles this morning caught the incomming tide.
Was very very disapointed.What usually is my go to spot to get a few dozen in a hour or two has been very frustrating latley.
Caught about a dozen small females and ended up with only four nice males.
Been really slow over there this year last year was way more productive,dont understand it .
Ill try back again in a few weeks and see if things turn around.

I crab in crystal river all of the time, but I want to try a different spot. Can you tell me where in yankeetown is a decent s pot for crabs? I'm thinking of trying bird creek beach, but not sure if it would be productive or not. Thanks !