Blue Claws

[LotsobitesBB]

When do the Blue Claws start up in the Northern Rivers? I assume the warmer waters up river start first. Any approximate ETA appreciated.

[bulletbob]

There are actually a few guys crabbing in So. Jersey as we speak,, Still slow...Blue Crabs are not very active in 45-50 degree water. Most are still in the mud at those temps. They are a warm water creature for sure..

They become a more and more active as the water warms, and are usually moving and eating well once the water gets into the 60's... June can be good if we get warmer watermbut it all depends on the year. Some years the water is still too cold
.. Late June into July IMHO can often be good good because the population hasn't been hammered yet in popular spots.. However, by early August when they crabs are very active, they have already been picked over in some areas.. Best bet is to get out ASAP when you hear they are starting up, and then realize that they get more and more active as the water warms up... I like July best myself, but again, its all about water temp. bob

[shucker]

Crabs are on the move in LBI, put some pots out and ended up with 20 rustys...water temp jumped into mid 60's today
148059

[Rocky]

The biggest crabs I ever caught in the northern rivers ever was the last week in May about 5 years ago.

[Foul Hook]

Friend of mine crabs until December some years with good success.

[PortlyRedhead]

There is plenty of 60+ degree water in the bays of Cape May County and commercial crabbers mark the channels with their gear every April and May. There are actually a few guys crabbing in So. Jersey as we speak,, Still slow...Blue Crabs are not very active in 45-50 degree water. Most are still in the mud at those temps. They are a warm water creature for sure..

They become a more and more active as the water warms, and are usually moving and eating well once the water gets into the 60's... June can be good if we get warmer watermbut it all depends on the year. Some years the water is still too cold
.. Late June into July IMHO can often be good good because the population hasn't been hammered yet in popular spots.. However, by early August when they crabs are very active, they have already been picked over in some areas.. Best bet is to get out ASAP when you hear they are starting up, and then realize that they get more and more active as the water warms up... I like July best myself, but again, its all about water temp. bob

[bulletbob]

Yes quite a difference from south NJ to the waters up north... The northern rivers obviously don't get warm as early.
If guys can consistently catch crabs in May in Northern NJ and NY, they know a LOT more about it than I ever will.... I think its best when the crabs become active in 60 degree + water, but before they get hammered relentlessly all day every day throughout mid summer..... bob

[Capt. Debbie]

Frankly I have been crabbing the northern waters of Sink, Shrewsbury and Cheesequake in rental boats since the 1960s (anyone remember Chris' Landing in Sea Bright) . And in my own purpose-rigged boat since 1980.

May is almost always is a waste of time. A handful or less and lots of spider crabs.

June is a better shot. And I run into November. There's been scant few river monsters (6 or more inches) there since 2018 and the Fall runs have been all poor. Full crabs but the norm is 5 to 5.5 inches with a few at 6". All full of course.

The Barnie starts much earlier. The farther south you go the earlier the season starts and the later the season ends. North is typically ending about Veterans Day it turns singe digit catches and occasionally 0's. One year I caught 60+ on Election Day Tuesday. A friend hit same area that Saturday was NOTHING (0) but spider crabs.

As was pointed out … wait for sustained 60 + degree days AND NIGHTS in water temp.

[Capt. Debbie]

See

[Rocky]

The crabs are here. Yesterdays catch 5/8/21.
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