Reduced catch for 2024 in my area!

[SHELLFISH]

Right now I am only at 20 crabs caught for 2024!
Thinking this was an awfully low number I checked my records  for September 1 in previous years.
2023 96 crabs caught
2022 110 crabs caught
I wasn't imagining things! I believe this is due to the higher water temperature.
The crabs are staying in deeper water and the main channel where they are harder for  me to get to.
They are not spreading out in the bays searching for mates or food.
My area is Volusia  County New Smyrna Beach area.
20% catch this year is a pretty hard hit!
I guess I will have to try harder! I did buy some castable crab nets by Promar so I can reach the channel.
I usually crab with ring nets. Maybe I'll try and get my boat back in the water and try topless traps in the channel.

[Gnifrus]

I use to crab the docks on the intercoastal in New Smyrna Beach and did great. Sorry it has has gone down hill recently. Same thing in Jacksonville. My go to coves and docks aren't doing well. Last year I was lucky to to catch 3 or 4. This year the water temperature is so hot, I am not getting any decent keepers at all. Good luck to all of you down south. Peter

[SHELLFISH]

The catch picked up for a while but its back down again! I am now at 24 last year this time of year I was at 108!

[LoveDemBlues]

Thanks for report !  and that is a bummer....hopefully they will come shallower with the cooler weather or you can get them in the deeper waters with your boat...can get some shrimps then too

[jack1747]

Water temperature above 91°F (33°C) is lethal.

[captaincrab55]

Water temperature above 91°F (33°C) is lethal.

True, but check out, "Estivation Hibernation".  RD made me aware of that type of Hibernation about 20 years ago.  

[jack1747]

True, but check out, "Estivation Hibernation".  RD made me aware of that type of Hibernation about 20 years ago. 

I raise "springtails" to feed my poison dart frogs.   The colones often do this.  I used to think they were all dead do to the build up of CO but over time I learned they are sleeping and would wake back up after fresh air was available.  I didn't know what it was called.  This makes sense. Thanks Tom......