Indian River Crab Report

[chipper]

Just spent a week in South Titusville with my traps out.  Nothing!!  I know its not me because the commercial traps are nowhere to be seen either.  I'm one of those nuts who used to proclaim, "My grocery store is off the end of my dock!"   Not any more.  Does anyone know which agency is monitoring the condition of the Indian River?  I'd like to see if its overfishing or something more sinister.  Thanks

[fla chicken necker]

Chipper,

I've crabbed the central east coast, recreationally, for a number of years and this has been one of least productive I can remember.
I've got regular spots from Sykes Creek in Merritt Island to as far north as Bulow Creek in South Flagler I've crabbed this year. I don't know where the went, but I haven't found them. I know many fisherman use the juveniles as bait, but it can't be that alone. If you find them, let me know.

ALO

[saltysenior]

very poor down at the south end too...........how ever comm. guys traps are still out???

[chipper]

I've been finding web sites dealing with declining crab harvest and found its been declining for the past several years from the Chesapeake to Louisiana.  Opinions ranging from overfishing to evnvironmental changes,a natural cyclic phase, or maybe a combination of all three are all being expressed.  Maryland has started using crab hatcheries help increase their numbers. 

[SHELLFISH]

First I have heard of this! Sure hope it doesn't last too long!

[saltysenior]

every thing in nature cycles......it is not good for biologist ,who is getting paid to study the specie in question, to say it is just a cycle.........then they are not needed for a few years or so............i can name many types of s.water species that have gone up or down without any presure from man....

[tattoo]

The crabs will be there in time. 

[WBrian]

I've got nothing to compare to, as this is my first year using pots.  I've hand lined for a couple years now.  Always pleased with the results.  But what is a "good" catch in a crab pot?  I'm averaging 5-10 keepers whenever I pull the pots (every couple days).  There are the occasional days when I'm pretty sure I've been poached, and one of my pots will only have 0-1 crabs in it.  And this pot will be right next to a pot with 8 crabs in it.

But overall, I'm happy with my catch.  My wife and I are the only one's I'm feeding with them (other than the occasional gathering...)

Later,
Brian

[tattoo]

Glad you are doing good. keep up the good work. have a great season. 

[saltysenior]

wbrian....I fished more pots than i should have,off a dock on the ''famous'' wye river for 10 seasons.....also would sneek some out to the mid.of the river once in while......a GOOD average would be 5 per pot per nite....but that was when they where running good.......so your doing prety good