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

My First Kayak Crabbing Video

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

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

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

Maiden Voyage

After a six month wait, crab season opened today!!!

All photos taken by: Seamus Talinao