January crabbing

Bob Budesa

• Dec 14, 2023

Any thoughts on prospects of catching full bugs?

 

Casting Call

• Dec 15, 2023

yes! only if you go soak trap. Go prospecting. Tony

 

rogerdodger

• Dec 15, 2023

Not sure if you are asking whether they will be hard/full crab in January or if you will be able to catch any keepers?

 

Bob Budesa

• Dec 15, 2023

Well, sort of both! I missed Sept/Oct, so looking to go hunting in January around Charleston. I'm not sure of when they molt. I've caught limits in Feb before, but they were all pretty light.

 

rogerdodger

• Dec 15, 2023

smaller crab will molt randomly during the year but once they get to about 6", it standardizes to basically early summer, especially in the ocean and lower bay areas. you can probably find 5.75" softer crab randomly all year in the bays...I can definitely report that the ocean is full of big full crab right now!

 

Bob Budesa

• Dec 15, 2023

Thanks Roger! I appreciate the insight!

Merry Christmas and a fishy New Year!