JENSEN BECH..June 29

[navypatriot]

Went out this AM alone to pull and reset 13 pots!  First 3 were EMPTY, with no bait!  Thru the morning, 2 others were that way.  Didn't look good and got worse.
I totaled out with 15 go``od crabs from 5-1/2" (1) to 7-1/2" (2), but only have 10 pots left!  
With the loss of pots, bait, fuel, etc, I figure those crabs cost me around $75.00!  THAT is only because I make my own pots!  But I am tired of furnishing crab pots for thieves and not sure if or when I'll set them again!

If you are worried about too much fresh water, forget that!  My NEW salt meter put it at 34-38 ppm.  The salinity is almost TOO HIGH!
Water temp with my NEW thermometer was 78 degrees!  And this is 5 miles from the inlet!

BTW, ALL traps came home with me!  I'll BUY any crabs I want for a while!

Tom

[tattoo]

sorry to hear that , but every dog has his day ,

[SHELLFISH]

Sorry to hear of your missing traps! Did  you have enough line on them and do you have porpoise in the area.
Just thinking maybe porpoise pushed the trap to too deep water for the buoy?
I have had porpoise destroy some of my traps. I watched them do it!
We have areas here too where you can't leave a trap overnight. It will be gone by morning!
Lots of thieves everywhere! Down here its a felony to mess with somebodies gear.

[saltysenior]

  Things must have changed....I fished 5 pots and 5 stone crab traps on and off for about 10 seasons in the Stuart area...I only lost one pot in the S W Fork....I have not put a pot out in 4 yrs, so I guess it is getting worse....

  have you seen the signs warning about tampering with other people's pots and traps??