Barnegat Municipal Dock 11-3-24

[NOREAST]

24 ring traps baited with c/n's
Depth 2 1/2' - 6'
Incoming tide, crystal clear water
Water temperature 56.6 - 57.7 degrees
Winds forecast, 10-15, gusting to 20 mph, all of 15-20 NE winds
Culled at 5"

With Mother Nature stealing another weekend last week (# 5 this year, ouch), having the boat and car already packed up, they changed the forecast with increased winds, so I had to cancel the trip. Checking the weather this weekend, Sunday looked to be better than Saturday. Woke up this morning to see they revised the weather forecast and increased the winds to be 10-15 gusting to 20 mph, we're going, because we're running out of time. Hit the ramp at a crack to nine to see they nailed the weather forecast, very windy. Headed back to seek some shelter in the crabbing grounds with no luck. Our normal starting spot was already 1 foot white caps. Couldn't help but put some traps there in our spot, and all six had keeper crabs on the first run. The problem was, by the time we pulled the traps, the boat was already turned around and pushed 25' off our coarse. Had to circle back, get on coarse, and that happened every pull. Overall, tons of crabs, but the conditions were just nasty. Ended the day with half a bushel. With a added bonus, back at the ramp, we found out that somebody had a hole in their deck boots, that gave them a wet sock, no wonder why I was  so cold, and it wasn't mine. Gave us something to talk about for 60 miles and new boots will be ordered. Having crab burnout, with plenty of crabmeat in the freezer, we give it to the neighbors. Now their asking if it's already cooked? R U kidding me. Reached out to a fellow member, who loves crabs, and happens to live on our route home. Hope you enjoyed your crab feast during the Eagles game. Note: the orange basket was half full after 3 runs before culling. Hope to get one more trip up to the Shrewsbury next weekend.

[Wallco99]

Way to go, Ray. I see you're bundled up for that one.

[fish machine]

Great job going out in windy conditions. They have  missed the wind report all week. It's not over yet with the warm weather coming up. Thanks for the report.

[king crab 48]

Nice job, hanging with the wind machine   Still getting some in CT, so you should have at least another week down there  ,   Good Luck !!   Gonna try one more time here too 

[crewstation]

Reached out to a fellow member, who loves crabs, and happens to live on our route home. Hope you enjoyed your crab feast during the Eagles game. 

Yes, sir, Mr. Ray.  Enjoyed them very much.  Thanks again.  

[crabbin paisano]

Noreast ,you proved them wrong,when they say not good crabbing in Barnegat after August, Good job in the windy conditions. [Sam Hill] if you are going to catch the crabs for friends drop them off the least you could do is cook them clean them and make crab cakes for them as well. only kidding,i was black fishing in the Pt.pleasnt canal. Got a nice keeper,caught about 12 of them.Great tasting fish.