What day are you legally allowed to start commercially fishing in Va?

[aVatiger]

Okay, it says first day is 3/1/17, but can you put out traps earlier than that and haul on 3/1? Just curious and glad to be on the Va board with my fellow Va fishermen

[indoe]

I dont crab VA but im pretty sure you can not set traps until the start date. The traps are still crabbing if they are in the water with bait in them. Even if you are not pulling them every day.

[jack1747]

4 VAC 20-270-40. Season limits.
A. In 2016, the lawful season for the commercial harvest of crabs by crab pot shall be March 17 through December 20. In 2017, the lawful season for the commercial harvest of crabs by crab pot shall be March 1 through December 20. For all other lawful commercial gear used to harvest crabs, as described in 4 VAC 20-1040, the lawful seasons for the harvest of crabs shall be April 21 through October 31, in 2016 and April 1 through October 31 in 2017.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest crabs or to possess crabs on board a vessel, except during the lawful season, as described in subsection A of this section.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to place, set, fish or leave any hard crab pot in any tidal waters of Virginia from December 21, 2016 through February 28, 2017. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to place, set, fish, or leave any lawful commercial gear used to harvest crabs, except any hard crab pot, or as described in 4 VAC 20-460-25 in any tidal waters of Virginia from November 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017.

[aVatiger]

I guess I needed to read a bit more on VDGF website 

thanks, Jack!

[Neither Crab]

The water temp is high enough on the seaside in Virginia. They should have caught some over there March 1st.