Oak Hill to New Smyrna 5-14-2020

[SHELLFISH]

I started at Goodriches with five ring traps at 0630 baited with racks of Sheepshead, Flounder and Black Sea Bass. I only caught one 4" female crab in two hours! She was released to hopefully breed and rebuild stock in the area! One decent crab I missed on the lift and another was feeding on the bait from under the trap. I gave him time to reposition but he never did staying on the bottom of the trap!
I next drove to Riverbreeze Park and threw my traps out with the same bait.After one hour I only saw 2" crabs here but lots of them! The future looks good here! There was another couple crabbing here with chicken in their ring traps. They said they had been there two hours and only had two 5" crabs to show for it. We all left together.
I then drove to Menard Park in Edgrwater and gave that a try for 1/2 hour with two 15 minute trap lifts. I again caught a 4" female and a small Stone Crab. Both released.
I then tried Sloop boat ramp in New Smyrna where I have never crabed before. I was hoping maybe the deeper water would show some action. Not to be and no crabs were seen!
I then tried Doris Leeper Park on Spruce Creek and once again after two 15 minute lifts no crabs were seen! What a depressing day! I have never had such a day after so much effort!
I called a fishing buddy of mine for inter in the Titusville area south of me and get a crabbing report. He said crabbing and fishing are off in his area right now too!
I think I will give crabbing a rest for a while right now and try again in late July.





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[captaincrab55]

I hope the crabbing turns on soon for you.    Thanks for the report.

[Gnifrus]

Nice effort. Keep the faith. Catching will turn on in June.

[SHELLFISH]

I sampled the water at Menard Park. Water temp 30C or 86F and 15 ppt NaCl.
Not as high as I had expected salinity! Seawater is 28-34 ppt. My readings are average for the Lagoon. Crabs prefer 22-28 ppt. Females with eggs need higher NaCl concentrations for proper egg developement.

[booman17]

Thank for the report...this year seems to be off to an extremely slow start...