recreational Crabbing question.

[tommyboy1971]

I have never really crabbed before. New to the area. there are a ton of rules and regulations I am trying to sift through. I have read tons of posts, and read the regulations but I still have some questions. I am sure the answers were here at one time but it looks as if a lot of these answers are a few years old. Try not to chew my head off.  so here it goes.

I have read that you can use handlines year round. meaning a line with bait tied to it that you pull the crab in by hand. granted water temp and such make the timing an issue to actually catch crab.

i see that you do not need a liscense for two pots.  but you do for 5 pots.  What are the dates for the season for two pots? looks like if you have 5 pots recreational then the dates are june to september, is that the same season for the two pots as well?

If you get a trot line license, what are the season dates for trot line?

Can I keep crabs if I catch them on my fishing rod while I am catfishing?

I am fishing near the chicahominy WMA, i access through millers creek and fish where millers creek meets chicahominy river near that bridge that goes over the river looks like it is close to where chicahominy dumps into james river. I have a fresh and salt water fishing license, there is a definate tide rise and fall in this area. i am not sure what the fall line means, but i think this area is below that. Are there any funky regulations that i need to be aware of in this area. Also i am fishing/ crabbing from my boat, does that effect any rules or regulations for crabbing?
Thanks in advance!

[jack1747]

Welcome....

I have never really crabbed before. New to the area. there are a ton of rules and regulations I am trying to sift through. I have read tons of posts, and read the regulations but I still have some questions. I am sure the answers were here at one time but it looks as if a lot of these answers are a few years old. Try not to chew my head off.  so here it goes.

I have read that you can use handlines year round. meaning a line with bait tied to it that you pull the crab in by hand. granted water temp and such make the timing an issue to actually catch crab.

i see that you do not need a liscense for two pots.  but you do for 5 pots.  What are the dates for the season for two pots? looks like if you have 5 pots recreational then the dates are june to september, is that the same season for the two pots as well?

Pot reg's are bassed on them being "commercial gear". There is a little twist in the 5 pot gear license. When catch limits where put in place a few years ago, the VMRC shortened the rec 5 pot license season. I idea is that's the same as catch limits on the commercial guys. So, 2 pots per person follows the commercial gear season.

If you get a trot line license, what are the season dates for trot line?

Trotline is considered "commercial gear". Season dates for trotlines is the same as pots.

Can I keep crabs if I catch them on my fishing rod while I am catfishing?

Yes.  Within rec possession limits.

I am fishing near the chicahominy WMA, i access through millers creek and fish where millers creek meets chicahominy river near that bridge that goes over the river looks like it is close to where chicahominy dumps into james river. I have a fresh and salt water fishing license, there is a definate tide rise and fall in this area. i am not sure what the fall line means, but i think this area is below that. Are there any funky regulations that i need to be aware of in this area. Also i am fishing/ crabbing from my boat, does that effect any rules or regulations for crabbing?
Thanks in advance!

[tbishop]

If Jack don't know than no one knows. On my trot lic it just says a year 2018. I tried near where you fish a few weeks ago, unlike other years there where NO crabs, most likely because of all the rain/fresh H2O. You came to the right place for INFO, WECOME!

[tattoo]

WELCOME , Jacks the man in VA, even tho there is no crabs in VA.

[tommyboy1971]

thanks for the information.  I was catching those crabs and keeper size with minnows on my fishing rod in that eagles bottom area near the eagles nest. So it looks like to use pots you only get like a three month period.... that sucks.

[jack1747]

thanks for the information.  I was catching those crabs and keeper size with minnows on my fishing rod in that eagles bottom area near the eagles nest. So it looks like to use pots you only get like a three month period.... that sucks.

That true with a 5 pot gear license but you can use the allowed two pots per person from March 17th to Dec. 1st.

[tommyboy1971]

That true with a 5 pot gear license but you can use the allowed two pots per person from March 17th to Dec. 1st.

So I can do handline year round, and 2 recreational pots from March17th until Dec 1st? awesome! I will go buy some pots and hit it this weekend! I did not realize this. Thank you for the information!