saltrix Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Took the grandkids out for a picnic and a crabbing trip yesterday. It was a late start but the afternoon tide about 3pm looked OK. Set the witches hats out from Milsons Island as it was close to the western ramp. This ramp seems to be used more for caravans and picnicers now with not much regard for the boat parking spots, but there was plenty of room this time. While the tide was dropping we did a few drifts and caught a couple of legal flathead and a soapy of which the largest flathead was kept and the other quickly returned. As there were 2 trawlers working the area I didn't hold much hope for the crabs and i made sure I didn't set them near the trawlers area. The girls pulled the hats up as the tide eased and we got 4 blue swimmers and a mud crab. I always return the female blue swimmers and would have returned the muddy if I had realized immediately it was a female. The blue swimmers were a good size. Did not waut for the low tide as we had a few crabs so had an early return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-On Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Some nice crabs and what a great way to spend time with the grandkids. I've always wanted to target blue swimmers and get consistent at it. What depth are you in when you set your traps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltrix Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 I usually set them in 3 to 5 m, but a blubber carried one to 6 m and that one caught 2 crabs, so I think you need to try different depths depending on tide, temperature and location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-On Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 3 hours ago, saltrix said: I usually set them in 3 to 5 m, but a blubber carried one to 6 m and that one caught 2 crabs, so I think you need to try different depths depending on tide, temperature and location. Cheers. Hopefully I be posting some pics soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenno64 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 That's an Australia Day feed to be proud of! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fab1 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Some fine eating for all there.Nice way of utilising a bow roller too. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Good work girls!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltrix Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 I fitted the bow roller on the side as I bring the anchor line in there but as the boat got older I don't use it all the time , I should as it saves the paintwork. I use a float system as discussed here earlier to bring up the anchor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsgocrabbing Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Hi Saltrix, Do you prefer the low tide as opposed to high? Not sure if this helps but I have found in relation to weed and blubbers that a half house brick seems to work in securing traps to where you wan't them to be. Cable tie with bait onto hitch and they survive even in the plus 1m differentials . Were the trawlers working off Milsons? They were up the derriere end of mooney a few weeks ago which surprised me so must be prawn run time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltrix Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 I prefer the1 hour either side of the tide change as I think the crabs are more active then and can smell the bait better. Yes the trawlers were working off Milson Is and towards the road bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlvbw Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 Love crabbing. Just trying to sort out a new process off the kayak. In the Hawkesbury I find high tide always better and crab on banks as shallow as 1m. Anyone who wants to kayak crab send me a message. Halving gear might be a good solution. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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