March first is always the beginning of blue claw crabbing season for crab pots in Delaware.
Not that anyone ever tries since the water is still so cold, but you would be surprised what you can catch in the shallow back bay waters and creeks. If the winter was mild weather, crabbing will start earlier than later.
When the sun hits the dark mud and warms up the shallow water, you can find crabs. If there are minnows and what not in the water than you should be able to find some crabs. We tend to wait a few molts before we even bother. The crabs emerging form the muddy bottom will be full of that mud. I prefer cleaner, fatter crabs. I also prefer cleaned crabs, but that is an entirely different debate.
You can handline for crabs year round. Crab pots are regulated from March 1st to November 30th. Make sure you have the proper turtle guards (by catch reduction device) in place. DNREC … “Terrapin (turtle) by-catch reduction device, a rigid metal or plastic frame with an opening measuring no larger than 1.75 inches by 4.75 inches that must be attached at the funnel entrance of all recreational crab pots to reduce the possibility of diamondback terrapins entering the pot and drowning. By-catch reduction devices are available at local tackle shops or may be handmade of heavy wire. ” There are instructions below how to make your own by-catch reduction device or turtle guard.
You can build you own reduction device or purchase them at many tackle shops. There are a lot of ghost crab pots around the inland bays. If you take it upon yourself to remove any of them be careful. You have to follow all regulations for crab pots. No one wants to get a ticket trying to help reduce ghost crab pots in the bays. It is illegal to check pots that do not belong to you, and that includes ghost crab pots. A law we wouold like to see changed for the safety of boaters and the health of the inland bays. If you can’t legally remove ghost crab pots, you can not help keep the bays clean of debris. Delaware Sea Grant started a program to do this and it has lost its funding.
Ninety Nine Ghost Crab Pots Out Of The Water
Now we get to have that yearly debate, cleaned or or not cleaned crabs, what is your preference.
Fish On!
Rich King
Always check your pots carefully after winter storage. This skunk decided to check out the old bait holder in a trap and ended up a resident for the evening.