any bites around Bath, NC

[gotuBCs]

hi all crabbers and captains,

I only had 1 time experience (crabbing seashore using strings and attached chicken legs) around Bath,NC last year. Not sure if it is warm enough to start crabbing again. I am eager to go but don't want to waste 6 hours round trip driving without catching a dozen. Please give me some advices, thank you very much.

 

[queue3]

I haven't been getting any yet. I've got pots from Core point to Mauls point. I think a few are being taken further east closer to the Sound. Horsefly should be able to let you know if there are any around Bath.
Even if you don't get any crabs it shouldn't be a wasted trip, Bath is such a nice little town to visit and the fishing in Bath creek is always good. (sorry HF if I let out any secrets )

[Crab Shack]

horsefly is from Bath. but I don't think he bites.   

[queue3]

They're Heeeeere.

[gotuBCs]

hey Pal, you sell crabs at Bath? Let me know how to contact you just in case I dont catch any there.
do you know what is the rule this year for crabbing in terms of sizes and number that i can keep. Thank you.

[queue3]

I can only legally sell to a licensed fish dealer. But if you have a boat, head southeast from bath to the south side of the river and I'll give you a dozen or two right from my boat. Let me know..and I'll give you my cell number.

[horsefly]

I haven't been getting any yet. I've got pots from Core point to Mauls point. I think a few are being taken further east closer to the Sound. Horsefly should be able to let you know if there are any around Bath.
Even if you don't get any crabs it shouldn't be a wasted trip, Bath is such a nice little town to visit and the fishing in Bath creek is always good. (sorry HF if I let out any secrets )

Sorry in late responce.....but it's NO secret.....everyone in their brother has pots now from one end of the river to the other.   On a good note, most (say 80%) have been males.

[gotuBCs]

thanks for all the replies, i made a trip to Bath the past Sat. caught nothing. the water level along the shore is so so low, about 1- 1.5 feet. I guess not the season yet. or maybe I picked up wrong date. It was full moon. I dont know why the tides are so low. Isn't that it should be high when full moon? Any corrections?
And Yes, you are right.  Bath is so beautiful. I love that place, i am thinking to visit there again sometime this summer.

[jack1747]

When the sun, moon, and Earth are in alignment (at the time of the new or full moon), the solar tide has an additive effect on the lunar tide, creating extra-high high tides, and very low, low tides—both commonly called spring tides.

[gotuBCs]

so I guess the past Sat. 5.9 was the Spring tides. I had bad luck I guess.

[queue3]

The tides here are all wind driven. The lunar tides of the ocean have no noticeable effect. For the last two weeks we've had strong predominately SW winds, blowing out the water, creating really low water levels. The wind since yesterday is from the NE and the water levels are back to normal.

[horsefly]

Not sure exactly where in Bath creek you were etc. I can tell you this....since  both my kids crab for a living. The male crabs have been on the hunt the past week or so because of the peeler run...when doing so, they dont think about food if ya understand . Also seems like most crabs are being steadly caught in the 4-7 depth. Personally if you're using a commercial type pot to catch them in, shrimp heads would work the best for bait. You can use shrimp heads and put into a nylon stocking like a little bag for using the 4-door traps. By boat is the better way to catch them atm.....wait to mid June before trying for them along the shore mid Bath creek.  Come on down next weekend, try some crabbing supposed to warmer....AND drive the extra hour to Englehard for the annual Englehard Seafood Festival on Saturday. Here's the info http://www.engelhardseafoodfestival.com/