Weir Creek 9/26 - 9/27/2020

[ducker]

Ah... another trip down!
What a wonderful weekend.  Nighttime temps in the 60's and daytime in the low 70's!! awesome!  I actually did see a number of other crabbers show up - they stayed in the side banks and didn't catch too much, which is good because I'm sure the majority of what they would have found would have been undersized...

My timing has been poor with the tide lately - I keep heading down there when high tide is early in the morning, making it tricky for me to get to the marsh at the best time!
(about 90min after low tide, when it starts coming in fast)

Day 1 - approx 4 hours / took in 25 keepers  - just after high tide, it was really foggy for how late in the day it was.  The fog didn't burn off until ~4pm!! I had a lovely accidental step in to a mud hole, which I totally knew was there.  - sigh - wasn't paying attention!
I still observed a heavy split of F to M.  During the summer months, it is around 80% males, and the only females you see are usually being protected by a male.  Now, Females all over the place. 

Day 2 - 4.5 hours / took in 31 keepers - caught the end of the tide coming in for approx 1 hour, and then crabbed through it going back out.  clear day, minimal wind. 40/60 M/F split  It was a gorgeous day!!  Went with the wife, she has a significantly more difficult time catching now versus the summer when they tend to come up towards the banks more.

It seems as if the crabs gravitate more towards the center of the channel now, very few on the edges.   My box traps were doin quite well with a good toss out towards the middle!

I definitely found myself conflicted on what to do with all the females I was catching - since it's legal in MA to keep them, yet throwing them back will help sustain the population!!! (and I love the numbers I saw this year!!!!!).  I ended up throwing back a lot!! some of the very large females I did keep.  Any other crabbers have any tips/suggestions on this?  I think I've come to the general idea that during summer months, all females go back regardless of size, and during the fall, keep some.  But still I'm unsettled if this is greedy idea or not.

No idea if I'll get down for another run in October - perhaps!! perhaps!!

[tattoo]

nice repoet catch and pictures

[AX MAN]

GREAT REPORT, THANKS!!!  I RUN INTO THE SAME QUANDARY ABOUT THE FEMALES.  I TEND TO KEEP A COUPLE MORE AT THE END OF THE SEASON ALSO.  BE SAFE!!

[tattoo]

 nice catch and pictures

[bgfishhook1]

    Good report DUCKER
   I always like your reports fresh to the point and the results
   well they speak for themselves. THANK YOU  Don't give up
   just yet there are some more out there go and get them and
   good luck to you too !!

       BGFISHHOOK1

[Richter355]

I find myself in the same position! I am in Connecticut and the crabbing here is still strong at my spot! A ton of large females , more than you can shake a stick at but i do throw them back !