3/5/24 Lookin GOOD !!

[king crab 48]

    Getting about that time to start checking the water temps for the uo-coming crab season     I was pleasantly surprised to see a nice rise in water temps compared to the same time last year     Temps are up 3-4 degrees from 2023, right now   That tells me the crabs should start moving shortly, even though our season doesn't open till May 1st.   JUS SAYIN !! 

[stuntman]

Let's just hope we don't get the RAIN we had last year. 
Warm fresh water with excessive run-off = bad crabbing.

[Horsin]

Chomping at the bit to get that first crab dinner
Yep this is the month I get a craving for two things a big beefsteak tomatoe fresh out of the garden and a plate full of crab claws with a bucket of melted butter

[Kaninekleenup]

I'm hearing that the osprey are coming north, that's a good sign..

[king crab 48]

   Would not be surprised to see blue crabs on May 1st 

[BlueChip]

I agree it looks like very little winter kill- I think crabs will be slowly moving at 47 degrees feeding around 50 degrees.  Looking towards a great new season-
Blue Chip

[CrabbyGL]

NOAA just issued their 3 mo. forecast... above average temps... and thankfully NOT above normal precip.   As El nino subsides and we transition over to ENSO neutral (and eventually La Nina) the thermocline depth in the pacific becomes more shallow, thus decreasing all that moisture that has been coming in from the equatorial Pacific.   It just takes time for that "spigot" to turn down but we are finally getting there.  I've been watching that every month all winter.

Soo.. in short.. WOOHOO!!  Looking forward to this year!!  And with the slow season last year, hopefully they'll be even BIGGER!  Last year, in I think late May I had pulled up monsters and I was so surprised given the time of year.  (Normally I get small ones early in the season).

[king crab 48]

Nice post !!  I agree with you ,, I say crabs to be had by May 5th 

[ducker]

Nice post !!  I agree with you ,, I say crabs to be had by May 5th 

Did anyone get out