WHEN?

[philjam]

Generally when do crabs get busy? I know this is not the same question as when do people start crabbing since some people can't wait any longer. Am talking about the inner banks. I live off the upper Pamlico river.

[tattoo]

When the water temps get above 50

[horsefly]

Well, actually we were scrapping some while oystering 2 weeks ago, surface temp with 42. Had 2 friends actually set a few test pots, 5 in mouth of both rivers (Pungo and Pamilco, where they meet sound)  off Willow point, each had some in it, either 1 jimmy with 2 sooks and a smaller v belly or just 3 sooks, the others were up Rose bay, 1-2 crabs in those.....BUT way before the temp drop. I will be safe to say where you are at, you can try around mid March after it warms a bit. Longer day light will warm the bottom faster. You'll only catch whatever in a 5' radius until the temp below is above 50-55. Best bet, find the hard to mud line, try there.

[saxon4646]

I saw 5 pots in the water at Topsail this past weekend when getting oysters. Water was ice cold so I cannot imagine that they had crabs in them. Looked to be set in 4-6 foot of water.

[philjam]

Thanks for the replies. How much difference can there be in water temperature from top to bottom in say 5 ft? I will start pots off my dock in mid March and report back. We are up a shallow creek. Moved here last July and caught crabs until Oct. when everything disappeared and the ducks moved in.

[horsefly]

Thanks for the replies. How much difference can there be in water temperature from top to bottom in say 5 ft? I will start pots off my dock in mid March and report back. We are up a shallow creek. Moved here last July and caught crabs until Oct. when everything disappeared and the ducks moved in.

You might be a tad early that far up river to set mid march, not saying you wont get any, but pretty unlikely with all the snow, ice, and freezing cold temps of late. Further down river closer to Ferry and down towards mouth of sound in 8+ foot would be better.

[philjam]

Thanks, think I will take your advice.