Time of day or Tide change

[harvey52]

I am confused, as to which is more important, a moving tide or time of day? I am a rookie, and I'm confused. Now--I already know, if you catch both thats a "good thing" but this time of year High tide is occurring (Wye River area) before sunrise. I have been reading this forum and many say , "early, early, early" and then many say "best to be out there when the tide is moving"! Well, since high tide ( on Friday) happens (on The WYE) 5:13 AM which is before sunrise (6:06 AM) AND rules say you can not have your gear down until 1/2 before sunrise, do you wait until the tide starts back out again (Low tide is around noon) or wait till evining high tide 5:19 PM, which is LATE afternoon:helpsmilie:??
I am looking to get help from you guys that have this "science" figured out!:helpsmilie:

[stingray]

I am confused, as to which is more important, a moving tide or time of day? I am a rookie, and I'm confused. Now--I already know, if you catch both thats a "good thing" but this time of year High tide is occurring (Wye River area) before sunrise. I have been reading this forum and many say , "early, early, early" and then many say "best to be out there when the tide is moving"! Well, since high tide ( on Friday) happens (on The WYE) 5:13 AM which is before sunrise (6:06 AM) AND rules say you can not have your gear down until 1/2 before sunrise, do you wait until the tide starts back out again (Low tide is around noon) or wait till evining high tide 5:19 PM, which is LATE afternoon:helpsmilie:??
I am looking to get help from you guys that have this "science" figured out!:helpsmilie:


When you find that person, let me know!:D

[Neighbor Dave]

If high tide is around 5:13, then the tide will be moving about 1/2 - 1 hour later. So in my hunble opinion you have almost perfect conditions for crabbing on Friday morning at the wye....start putting your gear in at 5:36 (legal starting time) and by the time you are done you will have a moving tide.

You actually don't want to crab at either high or low tide but in between. That's when the water is moving. I see little to no difference on crabbing on an incomming or outgoing tide.

To answer the tide/vs early question. Go early, the worst thing that will happen is you will loose an hour of crabbing time due to no tide.

Good luck Friday.

[bayhead]

There is an old waterman's saying that is even referenced in "Beautiful Swimmers" and that saying is:

"Ain't Nobody Knows 'Nuthin About Crabs" -they are hard to predict even for those crabbing commercially for years. When you meet the guy (or gal) who can accurately predict when, where,and how to go and be successful all the time please call me as well. I want to speak with them as well!

[POLECAT]

I know just the guy that "has this "science figured out", but he is banned from this forum.

[harvey52]

banned--how do you get banned from a crabbing forum?

[jeffleft]

==

[jeffleft]

banned--how do you get banned from a crabbing forum?

just wait till winter time you'll see:yes:

[Butthead]

he's not banned jerry, he is just blessing us under a different name...

After all, everyone knows he is a top crabber, but now I must assume he is a TOPFISHerman as well...:D

[flattyfrank]

I know just the guy that "has this "science figured out", but he is banned from this forum.

I wonder which one of the 10 to 15 that got banned for defending thier way of life has it figured out?

I've found that early is much better during the heat of the summer, but as we move into fall, it seems that time of day is not as important. Moving water is always a must

[mbgeaz]

i'd have to agree with frank. When i go crabbing, it's a matter of having time and money to do so, so i don't really get to go when i would like to. It's almost always better in the morning this time of year. Later in the summer though, and fall, i'll sometimes go when i wake up and stay for a tide.

[jasaltinmyvn]

all recs.= afternoon:D:D

[crabby and son]

I think a moving tide is the most important. With that being said......the slack tide doesn't last that long before it starts moving again so you might sit for an hour or so if you go at slack. Going early gets your spot........sometimes and keeps you out of the hot sun. As the sun gets up the big crabs on the trot line will drop off earlier. I don't think it affects traps. I am an early person for those reasons but have caught many crabs in the afternoon and evening hours. I think most crabbers are early people so the afternoons might be less crowded with crabbers but the rec boat traffic will be much greater. Get out when you can and enjoy your time on the water. Gary