HMB crabbing on 2/13/14

Woke up today wanting to go crabbing (the weekend weather looks nasty), so I made the impulsive decision and took today's off. This is the third time for me to be on a kayak and first time went out alone. Paddling out was not too bad, and I was the only kayak on the water until Steve (Islandpaddler) paddled over. There are tons of small and female crabs (I throw back at least 20 crabs, and likely more), but was slow in getting legal sized at the beginning. The last haul was good though with limit of dungies and a couple of rock crabs, and I even throw back a few legal sized dungies. The wind and swell really picked up in the afternoon, and paddling back against them was horrible. It took me one and half an hour to get back, and at one time, I was thinking I might not be able to make it . I guess another newbie lesson, plan for wind and swell paddling back, when there is little energy left.

Nice meeting you Steve on the water, and thanks for finding my lost bait jar!

The wind could be brutal there and have done that hour paddle back against the wind. I always anticipate having to deal with it at the end of the day.

Congrats on the limit.

Antonio

Wow. You did great man! I'm glad to hear you made it back safely. Make sure you have a vhf radio if you haven't got one already and post a hook up if you want some company.  Most of the time, someone will join you.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

It was nice meeting you Tom. Pretty amazing bumping into your bait jar out there in those swells. Congrats on the limit. I too had a lot of shorts. Only took home three legals. But was only out for an hour and a half or so. Hope to see you out there again. Good luck!

The wind could be brutal there and have done that hour paddle back against the wind. I always anticipate having to deal with it at the end of the day.

Congrats on the limit.

Antonio

Thanks Antonio. I heard people telling me to plan the trip back considering the wind and swell direction before, but nothing matches experiencing/learning it first hand

Wow. You did great man! I'm glad to hear you made it back safely. Make sure you have a vhf radio if you haven't got one already and post a hook up if you want some company.  Most of the time, someone will join you.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Thanks ginoltk for the great advise. I have a VHF radio and brought it with me, but am embarrassed to use it unless it is the last resort . Love to go with a group, and yesterday was only a last minute decision to go crabbing, and I was wondering if I can do it myself at least once.

Hi Tong,

I remember going out with you on your first trip with Allen at HMB. Glad to see your nice catch despite what seemed like some pretty strong headwinds at the end of the day. Doesn't it feel great to be exhausted doing something that you love!! Maybe will hook up again at HMB.

Take Care,

Michael (Da Bruddah)

Nice job. Looking forward to join you OTW soon