3-2-18 Florida Crabs. South Mosquito Lagoon

[SHELLFISH]

I got out exploring new to me crabbing spots that I have heard about and wanted to scout. We had a cool front push in after some 85 degree days. This day was 70F, 30.12 barometer, Winds from the northeast to 25 mph! First I stopped by haulover canal but couldn't fine a place to drop the traps. I should have just thrown them into Haulover Canal. I didn't do any crabbing. I next drove over to a spot that I had been before but I didn't see any crabs here and that was rare as you can usually see them here crawling on rocks. I ushed on and found a spot with hard banks  and put one trap in the water for a test. After one hour nothing! I then drove agin to Eddy Creek and Playalinda Beach area. I've never seen so many Manatees at Eddy Creek boat ramp area. Probably 30 to 40! I see them everywhere I go and curious about their endangered status! I didn't find anyplace to crab here either. On the road down to Playalinda Beach area is a nice road that I heard gets a lot of crabbers over the summer but this is Merrit Island Refuge and I heard they are restricting crabbing here due to a possible threat from Alligators attracted to the chicken. I didn't see any Gators, crabbers or no crabbing signs. I didn't try it here but probably should have tried. The day was half gone so I headed back north to a spot I got crabs two weeks ago. A friend of mine was  already there and said he had about half a dozen. It was nowhere near as active as it had been two weeks ago here! He only stayed another half hours and left. I stayed about three hours and got three crabs of decent size (6.75, 7. 7.5"). I was using throwable ring traps that I had recently sprayed black. I don't know if the fresh paint had anything to do with it or not but the traps were just not producing!  There was a chicken necker not too far from me that was catching one crab after another! I spoke with him and he said he had been there all morning. Maybe his necks had already scented the water and the crabs were all moving toward that water? He had a cooler full and was starting to fill a second cooler! Whatever the story this was not one of my better days crabbing! the  chicken necks I wsa using came from a Publix Market that I had bought two days earlier. Maybe it didn't have the right scent?

[Chef Lar]

I believe that any and all of the reasons you mentioned were all viable in and of themselves. But combined with the full moon. You were doomed from the start. Except for that darn chicken necker. Better luck next time.

[tattoo]

nice report better days are comming

[boeingjet380]

Nice report. I've never tried biolab road (think that's the road you were mentioning they banned crabbing from?).I thought they completely banned crabbing over there! I'll have to run around and try to find that spot you and your friend were hauling them in at. 

[SHELLFISH]

I stopped back down there today just to see what the crabbing pressure is on a weekend. Three crabbers there all chicken necking and all doing well! One fell said his sister was crabbing there last week and only caught 5 crabs. I told him that I can confirm she wasn't lying!
He also said he used to use chicken necks but since changing over to drumsticks has done much better crabbing. Interesting!
I have always done well with nothing but necks. He  is not the first crabber who has questioned me on why I use necks.
Because they're cheap! I'd rather eat the drumsticks rather than use them for bait! Oh well; better days ahead!

[boeingjet380]

Do you only see that kind of pressure during the winter/spring-time when the snowbirds come south?

[SHELLFISH]

No, not many crabbers out right now as the water is still cool at about 65F. The real crabbing starts at the end of April or early May when Orlando opens their gates for the city dwellers to come see what the shore looks like! By mid July it is literally a crabbers zoo here!

[king crab 48]

I stopped back down there today just to see what the crabbing pressure is on a weekend. Three crabbers there all chicken necking and all doing well! One fell said his sister was crabbing there last week and only caught 5 crabs. I told him that I can confirm she wasn't lying!
He also said he used to use chicken necks but since changing over to drumsticks has done much better crabbing. Interesting!
I have always done well with nothing but necks. He  is not the first crabber who has questioned me on why I use necks.
Because they're cheap! I'd rather eat the drumsticks rather than use them for bait! Oh well; better days ahead!

       I only use drumsticks up here ,  BUT, to me ,they have to be fresh

[SHELLFISH]

Boeingjet380. I have heard good things about the Barge Canal and Sykes Creek area. I'd like to get down that way myself!
Wait until April or May and give it another go. I'd like to see your report with sizes. I think, I hope, you do better then!

[boeingjet380]

Sounds good shellfish! I'll give it another go eventually. I tried oak hill culvert last year and did just okay, and of course you remember my report of the barge canal and bridge. Haven't been too lucky with crabbing since I began last year, but I love reading and learning from the experienced people here!

[SHELLFISH]

I've been here five years now but have been crabbing the area longer than that. I am still trying to figure things out too!

[king crab 48]

I've been here five years now but have been crabbing the area longer than that. I am still trying to figure things out too!

    Too bad for you   You are missing out on all these NOR '  EASTERS 

[SHELLFISH]

hahahahahahahahaha! I don't think so! It's cold down here too! It only got to bout 60F yesterday. Brrrrrrrrrrr!
Bike Week started yesterday and the boys will have some cool rides till it warms up a bit.
I am planning on another crabbing trip tomorrow. Yes, you can crab down here all year.  This is probably the worse time of year right now until the end of April. A lot of small crabs around.
I hear you guys have a possible nor easter heading for you Monday or Tuesday. Hunker down. This time of year the snow won't last.
I'd rather be here! The only time of year I miss is Late May and early June in CT. That's when I visit every year!