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

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.

Fishing Creek, Chesapeake Beach, MD

Little baby crab in my trap

It was a nice warm day. So, I decided to hit the waters to see if I could catch some Maryland Blue's. Headed down the same spot at Fishing Creek, Chesapeake Beach. Got in the water at around 2pm and stayed till 5pm. Water temp is around 65 degrees and warmed up to about 70 degrees. I dropped my seven traps and did about 8-10 runs. I kept catching baby crabs. I did catch one keeper, but that was about it. I threw it back in the water. I wasn't going to bring home one crab. Maybe I'll catch him again on another day. They were biting on my bait. I just could not get to the big jimmies. Oh, well I got a good work out paddling around on a nice day. I'll try again in a couple of weeks.

Caught these two nibbling on my chicken neck

The one on the right was the keeper