Crabing on a cs

[Hokis]

How maney people on this site go crabbing on a cs.
where do you go
how do YOU catch them (pots,trotline....)
what kind of setup do you run
what does you prop stick look like (if you run a trotline)
what does your flote look like
..........



Just want to get a thred going about crabbing*016**016*

[baltimorejoe]

I crab here in Maryland from the Eastern Shore to the rivers on the North end of the state. I sold my semi v 17' Key West which i loved and was a great crabbing boat but needed more room (4- kids and they all want to go crabbing) so i bought a 198 semi v CS i have used it several times and it works very well not quite as good as the Key West but the amount of room in the 198 Cs more then makes up for it, i have a f115 yamaha on that runs a little fast for most dippers but i bougt a trolling drag fron bass pro and now it runs great the semi v holds a nice line even in a little wind, not sure how the flat skiffs do but im sure they work there are alot of flat bottom cs work boats on eastern shore. i use a 2" pvc roller for the trout line over all im very happy with the CS for crabbing.

[Robert Gomez]

I crab in Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and in the Lynnhaven River, both in Virginia Beach. I haven't invested in a pot (I've been told that I can have 2 without a liscence). I take the kids out on the weekend and crab the old fashion way (chicken necks, twine and weights). We crab till we get about a dozen and it typically takes about an hour or two, which pushes the attention span of my kids.

[DylanRanson]

I keep my boat in the next cove south of middle river, so i have done some crabbing all around hart miller and rocky point. I havent been out an a month or so but last time i was out i crabbed just out front of the entrance to rocky point with traps. I put out 30 and just went up and down the line. I see alot of people still out there when i am on my way out to fish so im assuming there are still alot of crabs around. As far as floats just get some of those pool noodles and out them into 12 in pieces. They work just as good as a float from bass pro but its a fraction of the cost.

[joe28540]

You all talking about crabbing makes me a little homesick. I grew up in the Baltimore area and crabbed in the Sparrows Point area as well as Bear Creek and Middle River, just to name a few. But that was 35 years ago.

[peepleca]

I crab at Edisto Beach. I have a pot but generally use string with turkey necks. The kids have a ball pulling in the crabs. Usually within an hour or so we will have enough for supper. They like helping clean them too.

[Dave]

I do most all of my crabbing the lazy way... from public and private docks ;D String, chicken, and dip net method... relaxing and usually gets me all I want to pick.

[tomytek]

I crab the rivers of the Chesapeake Bay from the Severn down to the Patuxent. I use topless traps early and late in the season. When crabs are running good, I switch to a snoodline.

Here is a pic of my prop stick made of PVC. I added a rubber flap(not shown in the pic)to the bottom to prevent the snoods from wrapping around it.
http://www.tomytek.com/crabbing/2008/9708/P9070011.JPG

Here's a pic of my float. I use large Tide bottles.
http://www.tomytek.com/crabbing/2006/92806/nicebouy.jpg

[Willie]

I usually run any where from 3 to 10 topless traps in a line and just cruise by and rank them, the few times I have been out this year, they have been quite productive..... or just anchor up and use the topless and some hand lines with chicken and or bunker for bait.......

[Hokis]

Tomytek

nice method did you make your trotline and your trapes. Why not use your trotline every time you go out. also what do you use for anchors for you trotline.

[tomytek]

I made my snoodline myself. On a traditional trotline for crabbing, you attach baits directly to the main line. It is sometimes called a straight line. With a snoodline, you have about a 6"-10" piece of bungee hanging off of your main line with the bait attached to the end of the bungee. I do not make my own traps. I buy them from a local guy in MD that makes them. I use traps early and late in the season because crabs tend to drop off early. This is because of the water clarity and temperature from what I have been told. You are pretty much guaranteed that the crab stays in your trap when you pull it up with continuous tension on the line. I use river anchors. I have friends that use old brake rotors. You can get really creative with alternative anchors.

Here's a pic of a snoodline.
http://www.tomytek.com/crabbing/snood/P9110009.JPG

If found a pic of my prop stick with the rubber flat on it.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q26/tomytek/prop/prop09.jpg

[Hokis]

thanks tommy
but how did you tie the snood to the actuial line
and what do you use as a trotline bouy

[tomytek]

thanks tommy
but how did you tie the snood to the actuial line
and what do you use as a trotline bouy

My main line is twisted nylon. I open up the twisted nylon and insert the snood in between the two lines. Then I tie an over hand knot of each side of the knot. If you use a straight line like loctite, you can use a clover hitch knot or a slip knot and tie an overhand knot on each side. Below are links to the knots I am referring to. I use large tide bottles for my snoodline floats. You can see a picture of one in my previous post.

Clover Hitch Knot
http://www.marinews.com/Clover-Hitch-to-Spar-465.php

Slip Knot
http://www.iwillknot.com/slip_knot/

[Dwsweck]

My wife and i have been crabbing on the severn a few years now,we use 25 folding traps.Last year was our first year on our new jvx 16 side console.it took a little getting used to,we had a 14 foot jon boat before, that could be nasty when big boats went by.we try and go every weekend if the weather is good.We have a great time, the best we did last year was 40 crabs, one sat morning before noon.we average 2-3 dozen.The skiff is great for this, we can travel all over the river and my wife feels safe even when it gets rough.It can get really rough on the river, on a busy weekend with a lot of boat traffic.but our boat does not fill up with water any more.

[shaggy]

I crab on maryland eastern shore. With a j14 and run a 1200' trot line. Boat works great. Can't post pics yet to show set up

[Harry]

I crab on maryland eastern shore. With a j14 and run a 1200' trot line. Boat works great. Can't post pics yet to show set up

You need 5 posts to upload photos. Sorry it's a spam prevention thing*thumbsup*

[Playnhookey]

All this talk about Crabbing *popcorn* in the middle of the winter sure got my attention!

My wife stated running crab traps out of our JVX20 last year. JVX makes a great crabbing platform. We picked up 16 Topless traps and hit the back creeks of NJ off the Delaware bay and the Tuckahoe river. What a blast! Its like a miniture version of the Deadliest Catch but without any of the Deadly part... just tons of fun!

It took a few trips to start zeroing in on productive locations but once we did we averaged 40 to 90 crabs in 4 hours the rest of the year. This season we are going to try the Mullica River and the Barnegat Bay. We drop the pots every 30 yards or so and then run the line. By the time you hit the end it is time to run back and do it again. We had the traps custom made. Drop me an e-mail and I'll be happy to share contact info on where to get them.

Now I'm all worked up, gotta go crabbing!!

14972
8 Topless traps in a stack


14973
92 Crabs on this trip. We had to bungee the top down to keep them from coming out like popcorn on the run back to the dock! *popcorn*

[Dwsweck]

Crabbing season starts here april first,about 8 weeks away now,deer season is over next weekend and all i can think about now is crabbing.I got a launch permit for queen annes county and am looking forward to putting in there some where.Does any one have any suggestions.We crab in the severn river and some times go to slaughter creek in dorchester county,do pretty good there sometimes.

[shaggy]

Shipping creek right off of route 8 is a pretty good spot. I have done good there. Although it has become crowded the last couple of years

[ScreamingPotato]

I've never tried but always wanted to. I would love to cook up some crabs camping on the bay when the fish have us skunked.

How do yall prep and cook them, best methods of preservation and such? I've got ZERO knowledge of crab so have to start from scratch.

[Dwsweck]

I lot of people have their own way of cooking crabs.we put ours on ice when we get off the boat.When we get home my wife cooks them like this,2 cups of vinegar,2 cups of water,lots of old bay,sprinkled on layers of crabs in the steaming pot,have a tray on the bottom of the pot so the crabs dont lay in the water,steam 4 dozen crabs 35 to 40 minutes.works good for us.

[Harry]

All this talk about Crabbing *popcorn* in the middle of the winter sure got my attention!

My wife stated running crab traps out of our JVX20 last year. JVX makes a great crabbing platform. We picked up 16 Topless traps and hit the back creeks of NJ off the Delaware bay and the Tuckahoe river. What a blast! Its like a miniture version of the Deadliest Catch but without any of the Deadly part... just tons of fun!

It took a few trips to start zeroing in on productive locations but once we did we averaged 40 to 90 crabs in 4 hours the rest of the year. This season we are going to try the Mullica River and the Barnegat Bay. We drop the pots every 30 yards or so and then run the line. By the time you hit the end it is time to run back and do it again. We had the traps custom made. Drop me an e-mail and I'll be happy to share contact info on where to get them.

Now I'm all worked up, gotta go crabbing!!

14972
8 Topless traps in a stack


14973
92 Crabs on this trip. We had to bungee the top down to keep them from coming out like popcorn on the run back to the dock! *popcorn*

That's some mighty fine crabbing hooky*Cheers*

I too picked up a dozen topless traps. If you use traps, these are the way to go and stacking them takes up minimum room.

I grew up perch fishing on the Tuckahoe river*rod*

[Playnhookey]

Thanks Harry we had some great catches last year. Since we started using Topless traps I think I like crabbing as much as fishing now! At least until the Weakfish come back anyway. Nothing like weakfishing.

I spent most of my youth on the Barnegat Bay. Trailering is new to my wife and I but we are really enjoying going to new areas. Last year we dropped in on the Tuckahoe off of Mosquito Landing WMA. I never realized how big a river the Tuckahoe is! Can you suggest any other ramps along the river?

[Harry]

No ramps that I know of other then the one you mentioned. Might be one up the river but not towards the bay.

My Grand parents house used to be the second one off the Rt 50 bridge (heading towards the ramp). They were the driveway right next to Mosquito Landing Rd. It didn't get that name for nothing, Damn bugs ;D

Spent every weekend of my youth there honing my fishing skills *thumbsup*

Patcong Creek has some great crabbing and there is a ramp about 2 blocks from my house on Hamilton Ave in Linwood.

[ScreamingPotato]

I lot of people have their own way of cooking crabs.we put ours on ice when we get off the boat.When we get home my wife cooks them like this,2 cups of vinegar,2 cups of water,lots of old bay,sprinkled on layers of crabs in the steaming pot,have a tray on the bottom of the pot so the crabs dont lay in the water,steam 4 dozen crabs 35 to 40 minutes.works good for us.

Thanks, seems simple enough. I have a dumb question though, does icing the crabs kill them or is there a certain time frame that you have to ice them to be sure?

[throrope]

Dang it guys, now I'm gonna spend two days researching the regs and gear for the Chesapeake and getting bummed that I don't spend more time on the water.*kickrock*

[Willie]

Thanks, seems simple enough. I have a dumb question though, does icing the crabs kill them or is there a certain time frame that you have to ice them to be sure?
Not sure of the time frame, but it puts them into a sleep so they do not drop the claws when you cook them.....

[ScreamingPotato]

Not sure of the time frame, but it puts them into a sleep so they do not drop the claws when you cook them.....

Do they wake up when you cook them as they warm up? I know lots of these shelled critters are cooked live straight out of the tanks in restaurants and such but I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to that so not sure I would go through with it. :'(

[Dave]

Thanks, seems simple enough. I have a dumb question though, does icing the crabs kill them or is there a certain time frame that you have to ice them to be sure?

Like Willie says, ice-em down puts em asleep. Being cold blooded creatures, when their body temp drops they slow down and become dormant. If I'm out crabbing, I like to have a medium sized cooler 3/4 full of ice and drop the crabs on top of the ice (while shoveling some ice on top of them) before closing the lid. I open the cooler drain and tilt the cooler so the excess water drains away from the crabs and out of the cooler as it melts. The idea is to cool them down quickly so they last longer and also keeps them from fighting each other, which they will do when at normal temp... and tearing each other's claws off.

Best to drop them right into the pot of crab boil or steam when they are alive but if you've kept them ice cold, they will last several hours after they have died. Don't want to have them laying in water, even ice water, as they will drown pretty quickly, especially stacked on top of each other.

I like to transfer the live (chilled) crabs into a large tray when I get home and put wet newspapers or towels on top of them and store them in the bottom of the refrigerator. They'll easily keep a day and night, (or more) alive in a dormant stage like that. Bring em out just before dropping into the pot. At this time, I like to check each one out to see that it is alive... eyes or mouth moving or foaming at the mouth is a way to check they are still alive. If I find a dead one, I'll check further to see if I can determine if it's fresh enough to cook and eat... never drop a suspect crab into a pot of live crabs... ain't worth loosing all of em for one bad crab!!!

You might want to check our Cook Book board to find some good recipes.

[Dwsweck]

I read this online but have not tried it yet.you can clean the crabs when you get home remove the shell clean out the devil,then store them up to 3 days in the refrigerator.then steam as regular.My wife does this and freezes the crabs,takes them from the freezer when she likes and fries them in a batter she learned from her grandmom and mom.works great.So i guess steaming without freezing would be good too.

[throrope]

. . . Don't want to have them laying in water, even ice water, as they will drown pretty quickly. . .

Since crabs and clams live in water, this one always threw me until my wife clued me in. When left in water, they go about their business same as before capture, but the limited volume in the tank/cooler gets depleted of oxygen and they consequently suffocate.

Next time I go clamming I'm gonna try purging them of sand with cornmeal in the live well on the way home by running the aerator pump continuously. Maybe even bring along the propane steamer and picnic on the beach.

[Willie]

I read this online but have not tried it yet.you can clean the crabs when you get home remove the shell clean out the devil,then store them up to 3 days in the refrigerator.then steam as regular.My wife does this and freezes the crabs,takes them from the freezer when she likes and fries them in a batter she learned from her grandmom and mom.works great.So i guess steaming without freezing would be good too.


I have cleaned them before steaming and they are good, but not as much fun to eat, also have done that and froze them, but have only used them in soups or stews...have to try the frying.... thanks

[labrat]

-21 cc
-trotline 1200'
-PVC propstick that will break. I always have 2.
-200 merc EFI for power and I have to use a sea drogue to slow the boat down
-Can send more details if you all want...
Rick

[Willie]

-21 cc
-trotline 1200'
-PVC propstick that will break. I always have 2.
-200 merc EFI for power and I have to use a sea drogue to slow the boat down
-Can send more details if you all want...
Rick


Sure we want details and pictures and a few dozen crabs to chew on while we are reading your post....

never used a trotline up here in NJ. just lots of topless traps and a pot or 2....we seem to get our fair share .....usually use bunker or chicken for bait....

[Willie]

-21 cc
-trotline 1200'
-PVC propstick that will break. I always have 2.
-200 merc EFI for power and I have to use a sea drogue to slow the boat down
-Can send more details if you all want...
Rick


Sure we want details and pictures and a few dozen crabs to chew on while we are reading your post....oh and almost forgot, your recipe for the cooking....

never used a trotline up here in NJ. just lots of topless traps and a pot or 2....we seem to get our fair share .....usually use bunker or chicken for bait....

[DE JOE]

Sure we want details and pictures and a few dozen crabs to chew on while we are reading your post....

never used a trotline up here in NJ. just lots of topless traps and a pot or 2....we seem to get our fair share .....usually use bunker or chicken for bait....

Thats because I believe trotlining for crabs is illegal in NJ, at least comercially.
Last crabbing run of the season late in October with 3 commercial pots in Rehoboth Bay yielded about 3/4 bushel and normally we cook the old fashioned way with 2 cups applecider vinegar, 2 beers, and J.O.'s crab seasoning to taste. This time we tried the 'naked' crab where you shell the crab, and removed the mouth, devils legs, and inerds and wash out with a hose.
Now, I was raised on the picking crabs, where in some kitchens, the 'mustard' of the cooked crab is an ingredient in a crab cakes. Always thought the naked crab took away form the conversation and the way of eating crabs. But after that day, I dont think I will cook another whole crab with out shelling it.*Cheers**Cheers*
BTW, installing a trotline on my JVX this year with this www.v-lock.com.
Gonna see how it works.

[DE JOE]

Sorry using the v-lovk for the crab arm for the trot line.

[Willie]

I have cooked both ways and I still enjoy the mess and fun of cleaning after cooked.....my wife loves the clean em before you cook them way....oh and the V lock is impressive.....:cool:

[stan]

I have a 2010 198 DLV, Used it to crab the last two years. I use Traps. Gunnels are a little hard on the belly. I bought a boat hook. Works great. I crab back river, rocky point, the bush and on the flats. Cann't wait for the season to start. Hopefully the susky won't flood as much this year.

[Brian]

I lot of people have their own way of cooking crabs.we put ours on ice when we get off the boat.When we get home my wife cooks them like this,2 cups of vinegar,2 cups of water,lots of old bay,sprinkled on layers of crabs in the steaming pot,have a tray on the bottom of the pot so the crabs dont lay in the water,steam 4 dozen crabs 35 to 40 minutes.works good for us.

Wow, I don't ever steam them that long. Usually about 25 minutes, 30 at the most, and mine are done. I guess it's hard to overcook them, though.

[SikGoat]

Any other pictures of prop sticks mounted on a CS. I am getting ready to make mine the more ideas to choose from the better.

[TailHunter]

As soon as I get enough posts, I will post some pictures for you. I have a 196 DLX, and used 1" PVC. I made mine able to slip over the gunnel and able to move fwd or aft. On the sections of PVC that I was worried about snapping I decided to put a 3/4" dowel inside to give a little strength. Only have put one season on it, and had no problems.

I usually run out of Crab Alley on Kent Island.

[lon1955]

We have a 2002 17 ft semi-V. We crab in Great South Bay on Long Island, NY. We usuallly use lines with chicken pieces. Also use a couple of traps. Crabbing gets pretty good by mid summer.