DIY Live/Bait Well

Here is my version of the popular live well used by kayak anglers. It took me two days to do the research, scavenge for parts, and put it all together. Most parts were sourced from PetSmart, West Marine, Ace Hardware, and my garage.

I followed the instruction from HOOK1's site and used a pet food container as the base for this project.

Kayak Set Up

As promised, here is a video showing how I have my kayak rigged for crabbing and videography. In this video I highlighted the YakAttack Pan Fish Portrait camera mount, my Garmin Echo 150, and the "milk crate" with my monopod set up. I hope this helps anyone interested in kayak crabbing on how to rig their own kayaks.
 

Itchy Kayak Family Fun (Video)

Last Sunday, I took the kids and cousin Michael to my local spot for some kayak crabbing. We rented one tandem and one regular sit-on-top kayaks from Paddle or Pedal in Chesapeake Beach. The kids and Michael explored Fishing Creek while I dropped the traps and set everything up. Everyone was enjoying themselves. The water temperature was about 67-70 degrees depending on the depth. Tide was rolling in hard and fast. I thought it may be good conditions for catching some Jimmies, but crabbing was slow. We were barely catching any small ones. It was a bit disappointing. We did catch two monster keepers after 6-7 runs. Halfway, through the trip things turn for the worst. Watch the video to see what happened.

 *Please click on the gear icon in the video's tool bar and select to watch it in 1080p HD.

So, I did ended up in the ER. The doctors gave me two shots of antihistamines and one shot of steroids. I called my wife to pick me up from the hospital. My cousin and the kids picked up my kayak from where I left it and brought it with the rest of the gear home for me. He then took the kids to the beach to keep them from worrying about me. He stayed with them until my wife an I got home from the hospital. They even brought home the two Jimmies that we caught earlier. I steamed them up in my kitchen and had them for dinner. All in all, it turned out to be a decent day. The kids and my cousin got to go out and learn some kayak crabbing, got to play in the beach, and I got to have two jumbos for dinner.

The kids playing at the beach
Photo by: Michael Odulio

Riding Solo This Time

My First Kayak Crabbing Video

Seamus and I took the GoPro for a kayak crabbing trip. Enjoy!

Crab Trap Showdown

Captain Moose vs Captain Bruce

*I am going to start off by disclosing that I am neither affiliated nor sponsored by any of these two crab trap vendors. Anything written in this post is simply my unsolicited opinion from my own observation and experience with these products. 

In every industry in America there are iconic rivals that dominate the market. Pepsi vs Coke... Mac vs PC... Nikon vs Canon... I can go on and on. When it comes to crab traps, there are two manufacturers that stand out of the rest. Captain Moose and Captain Bruce are the most recommended traps that you will read about in blue crab forums. Sorry, Foxymate. 

Finally, Caught Some Keepers

All photos taken by Seamus Talinao

Last night after reading some good reports from bluecrab.info, I loaded up the kayak for an early trip today. 

It turned out to be a beautiful morning. My son and I got out there at around 7:30 am. I was suppose to crab and his job was to take pictures and notes to document the trip. The marina was busy, but we did not have any issues getting in the water. Unloading the kayak from the car and loading all the gear on the kayak is starting to become routine, which is nice.

The water temperature was about 62 degrees. The tide was rolling towards the Bay and it was a chore paddling up the creek. I feel more confident maneuvering the kayak around now. Before I felt clumsy and all over the place, but of late my strokes feel more fluid and deliberate. I also noticed that I am not getting as wet anymore like before, which is very nice.

Headed up creek

Crabbing with a GoPro

An interesting look on what goes on down there.

Uploaded by TheWaveCarver on Jul 8, 2011

Blue crabs are booming in the bay

Looks like it is going to be a good year...

Blue crabs are booming in the bay • Environment (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)

Official DNR article

A Beautiful Day for the Worst Day of Crabbing

Loaded up the Jetta to start the day

I have been waiting for this day for weeks now. The weather forecast called for 77 degrees and sunny. And I planned on taking on the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The kayak was loaded up by 8 o'clock with the rest of the gear. It was so nice today even the dog wanted to join me for the trip.

I was on the water by 8:30 am and started my crabbing trip. I turned on the fish finder and it was working as it should. Awesome. Having a fish finder is definitely a game changer. It is really nice to know water depth and temperature. But as I came close to passing the jetties, the fish finder stopped working. So, I turned around and planned to dry dock for a quick trouble shoot. Before I could reach the boat ramp, it started to work again. OK? Maybe it is not a fan of salt water. I don't know. I gave up my attempt to crab the Bay and decided to just stay on the creek where I have had caught some crabs before.