This is a bit of a late report, but a report nonetheless. I was on the Severn last weekend to finally try my hand at trotlining to catch some blue crabs. I had high hopes with the preparation that I done from research to readiness; I expected no less than a full bushel, especially since recent reports showed promise. Well, to sum up quickly, my basket wasn't overflowing with crabs. However, I did manage 11 from 5" to 6.5", which were all full jimmys.
I had quite the number of issues while attempting to both setup and run my trotline. I didn't stray too far from the launch, so the folks on the fishing pier must've had a fun time watching me while I worked through one problem after another. After chatting with a nice fellow who was also getting ready to go crabbing (on his Port-a-bote), I took off for a suitable spot to deploy my line, after deciding to stay close just in case I needed to get back to shore quickly, I began deploying my line and it didn't seem too much of an problem except I couldn't manage to run in a straight line, so there was a significant bow in the line that I set out. The depths of the water where I layed my line ranged from 14' to 9'. The depth was greater than I wanted to be in but I gave it a go anyway. I quickly found out that lacking reverse thrust in the mirage drive sucked when trying to run a trotline. I frequently passed the float and missed catching the control lines because I swung too far away or when I swung too close, the line would get caught on the drive or rudder. I also had 40' feet of line on each end of the float, which I suspect was far too long and didnt help. Anyway, after managing to get the the line on the propstick, I started to make my first run but found it was more work than I thought to get the chain over the surface; I got the heaviest available galvanized chain in a 3' section; this was quite tedious but I got it done. As soon as I managed that, I immediately started overrunning the line; the upcoming line kept passing under the propstick. That was the theme for the rest of the day, I wasn't going very fast at all, barely moving it seemed, but regardless, the trotline always swung under the propstick as I was peddling; nothing I did helped. Trying to move one of the 15lb anchors further out was a big chore too. I couldn't move it much b/c the chain actually held me in place. My next attempt to run the line was more of the same, overran the line, only this time, the line got caught on something. After much effort, I brought the line to the surface, to find hanging from it, an old rusting crab trap (I actually held onto it in my kayak until I later in the day to throw it in the garbage bin, but I was tempted to drop it on the closest point of shoreline; I was tight on space as it was). The next challenge after I recovered from that, was the other chain on which I got caught and spun in circles causing a tangle my main line. I peddled too hard while trying to untangle and break free so, the propstick broke off. That was kind of my fault since I hadn't glued it together yet. At this point, I had like 4 crabs, since some were coming up as I was working through these issues. Even though I was a bit discouraged, I kept at it and continued crabbing using the traditional method; I pulled the line hand over hand. Man that was tough; my wet and wrinkled hands took a beating from the pulling the kayak through the water. I did so twice and had enough. I ended with 11 then and began unbaiting my line. That was kinda nasty without gloves, but I got over it. The pile of mud laden line on my lap wasn't too pleasant either. I got to shore and was relieved to be done with it for the day. I did bring a dozen crab traps with me and considered using some of the bait I had reserved to continue crabbing with those, but I chose not to even bother cause I was too tired. Thats when Shady rolled up and beached his pimped out Outback next to me. We chatted for a bit; @Shady, it was nice meeting you man, I expect we'll run into each other again.
So that's how my inaugural kayak crabbing trip went. I hope to give it another go again soon.
BTW: A DNR officer did walk through the park as I was packing to leave, he saw my basket and walked over to check my catch, the one that was 5" was actually, 4.999". The officer let it go, but it's time to get a proper measuring stick, as it seems the stanley measuring tape is a big fail as a crab measuring device.
4.jpg
Tight lines, fellow members,
RY.
I had quite the number of issues while attempting to both setup and run my trotline. I didn't stray too far from the launch, so the folks on the fishing pier must've had a fun time watching me while I worked through one problem after another. After chatting with a nice fellow who was also getting ready to go crabbing (on his Port-a-bote), I took off for a suitable spot to deploy my line, after deciding to stay close just in case I needed to get back to shore quickly, I began deploying my line and it didn't seem too much of an problem except I couldn't manage to run in a straight line, so there was a significant bow in the line that I set out. The depths of the water where I layed my line ranged from 14' to 9'. The depth was greater than I wanted to be in but I gave it a go anyway. I quickly found out that lacking reverse thrust in the mirage drive sucked when trying to run a trotline. I frequently passed the float and missed catching the control lines because I swung too far away or when I swung too close, the line would get caught on the drive or rudder. I also had 40' feet of line on each end of the float, which I suspect was far too long and didnt help. Anyway, after managing to get the the line on the propstick, I started to make my first run but found it was more work than I thought to get the chain over the surface; I got the heaviest available galvanized chain in a 3' section; this was quite tedious but I got it done. As soon as I managed that, I immediately started overrunning the line; the upcoming line kept passing under the propstick. That was the theme for the rest of the day, I wasn't going very fast at all, barely moving it seemed, but regardless, the trotline always swung under the propstick as I was peddling; nothing I did helped. Trying to move one of the 15lb anchors further out was a big chore too. I couldn't move it much b/c the chain actually held me in place. My next attempt to run the line was more of the same, overran the line, only this time, the line got caught on something. After much effort, I brought the line to the surface, to find hanging from it, an old rusting crab trap (I actually held onto it in my kayak until I later in the day to throw it in the garbage bin, but I was tempted to drop it on the closest point of shoreline; I was tight on space as it was). The next challenge after I recovered from that, was the other chain on which I got caught and spun in circles causing a tangle my main line. I peddled too hard while trying to untangle and break free so, the propstick broke off. That was kind of my fault since I hadn't glued it together yet. At this point, I had like 4 crabs, since some were coming up as I was working through these issues. Even though I was a bit discouraged, I kept at it and continued crabbing using the traditional method; I pulled the line hand over hand. Man that was tough; my wet and wrinkled hands took a beating from the pulling the kayak through the water. I did so twice and had enough. I ended with 11 then and began unbaiting my line. That was kinda nasty without gloves, but I got over it. The pile of mud laden line on my lap wasn't too pleasant either. I got to shore and was relieved to be done with it for the day. I did bring a dozen crab traps with me and considered using some of the bait I had reserved to continue crabbing with those, but I chose not to even bother cause I was too tired. Thats when Shady rolled up and beached his pimped out Outback next to me. We chatted for a bit; @Shady, it was nice meeting you man, I expect we'll run into each other again.
So that's how my inaugural kayak crabbing trip went. I hope to give it another go again soon.
BTW: A DNR officer did walk through the park as I was packing to leave, he saw my basket and walked over to check my catch, the one that was 5" was actually, 4.999". The officer let it go, but it's time to get a proper measuring stick, as it seems the stanley measuring tape is a big fail as a crab measuring device.
4.jpg
Tight lines, fellow members,
RY.
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