Corpusfishing.com

FishLady · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 11:54 am Post subject: Where are the bluecrabs??

In years past, I used to tie a piece of chicken on a string and catch bluecrabs by the dozen. If I used a trap, I'd have 5-6 in a night. Lately, I haven't even seen a bluecrab... at all.
I traveled to New England this past summer and on our way spent 6 weeks or so in the Chesapeake Bay area fishing and crabbing. The fishing wasn't bad, but there weren't many crabs available in the shallows. Used to be able to purchase a bushel of bluecrabs for about $30.00 and this past year the price was over $100.00!! The commercial crabbers couldn't find them either. Their comment was "it's because of the damned redfish". There are so many redfish that now they're eating all the crabs!!
Is that possibly the reason there isn't many bluecrabs around or does someone have any other possibilities?
I know the cold water we've been experiencing lately is one problem, but these past years have been really bad for crabbing.
_________________
FishLady

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

They burrow up in the mud when it gets cold which is why they hold the Abandoned Crap Trap Removal in February when the crabbing is slow.
_________________
Like Corpusfishing.com on Facebook!

cuzn dave · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 465

I'm no crab expert, but even during warm season the drought condition has not been favorable to them.
_________________
"If we don't leave any, there won't be any."
Capt. Billy
"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon

topdog15 · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:19 pm Post subject:

They are all buried in the mud. It's way too cold to catch blue crabs right now. Especially in shallow water. I'd bet on drought before redfish regarding low numbers during the warm months. With last year's heavy rains, I'd be willing to bet you'll see better numbers this year.
_________________
"Ya'll must eat a lot of fish"

Central Scrutinizer · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:22 pm Post subject:

^^^

YEAH, what he said! Smile

ironmanstan · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 4:20 pm Post subject:

April , May, June, July, August, September, best after a full moon. Especially on that road from Port Isabel to Port Brownsville those spots where the water runs under the road just a few miles down.
_________________
I LIKE MINE FRIED.

Oil Field Trash II · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 1560

I didn't see many this last year or two like I had before. I tried to do some crabbin down at the cabin with the boys, and we didn't catch but a couple... I think I need to watch more reruns of deadliest catch.

ziacatcher · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:42 pm Post subject:

I use to catch lots of my dock year round. Have not had a crab feast in the last 2 years

FishLady · Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 10:10 am Post subject:

That's what I'm saying. The last few years!!! Where are they?
_________________
FishLady

ironmanstan · Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 12:45 pm Post subject:

Don't want anyone to forget what they look like....... Very Happy

_________________
I LIKE MINE FRIED.

FishLady · Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 10:13 pm Post subject:

Was this a recent catch or an old photo? Did you catch 'em or buy 'em? Now you're making me hungry.....that just ain't fair, IMS!
_________________
FishLady