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[Taboo]

Hi Everyone, So crabbing is generally considered at its best in months that don't contain an "r" - effectively May - Aug.  Are there any opportunities to harvest in non-peak months?  Any advice or commentary would be greatly appreciated!

-Taboo

[Rodney]

Contrary to what you may have been told, crabbing is actually best between now and April before the commercial season begins.

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2014/01/31/exploring-alternative-saltwater-fisheries-in-vancouver/

[BananasQ]

Interesting. I had assumed that this wasn't a great time as the crabs are moulting and you were at risk of getting soft shelled crabs, but it seems that they do that in late summer according to this (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/shellfish/crab/lifehistory.asp)

Adult crab populations tend to molt simultaneously, Females in the spring, Males in the late summer.

How long of a soak was that Rodney?

[Rodney]

That was a couple of hours.

[BananasQ]

Not bad at all for a couple of hours. Might be time to try my arm again soon.

[ride604]

Dropped a trap for 2.5 hours yesterday morning while trying for winters off Ambleside, heavy fog and no chinook but limited out on crabs in the single trap...

[Dude]

Got me itching!! After reading this I drove down to tsawwassen since it was such a nice day out.  Water was nice and calm and  not a single trap in sight  where there is usually  tons of traps by the break water.  The itch is so bad if the weather is good again like today sometime this week I will be taking the tarp off the boat and taking it out and get me some crabs!!   

[Rodney]

We were out at Ambleside today and the traps came up full, except only 3 out of the 30 or so crab were legal! The rest were all a few millimeters undersized….

[Jewelz]

So If I launch at Ambleside do I head towards the bridge or away from the bridge to drop some traps? Can I launch at Cates or Belcarra and drop traps right in that area?

[BananasQ]

No boat launch at Belcarra, I portage my canoe down and drop traps using that. Yes, you can crab right their, but good to get away from all the crabbing pressure from the pier.

[Jewelz]

No launch at Belcarra, check. Can drop traps around that area, good to know. Might have to bust the boat out early this year!

[BananasQ]

Was thinking of going today - Guess not as I'd probably be dryer outside of the boat than in it! 

[BananasQ]

Heading out today - reckon I can keep any keepers in a ventilated box in the garage overnight (covered with wet cloth) - or would it be getting too cold in there for them as it isn't heated and will get close to zero celsius tonight?  Want to keep them alive as a present for friends who we are going to dinner at on Sat night.

[Noahs Arc]

Empty out your produce drawer and chuck em in the fridge.

[BananasQ]

I've got them in the garage in cooler with sea water with an aquarium aerator.

Six keepers from two traps in a two hour soak. Winter crabbing - its the future!