Alright, let’s talk about this crabbin’ thing down at Dividing Creek. You know, that place where everybody goes to get them tasty crabs. I ain’t no expert, but I’ve been doin’ this for a good while now, so listen up.
When to Go Crabbin’
Now, some folks say you gotta go real early in the mornin’. Says the crabs, they bite better when the sun ain’t too high. And that’s probably true, ’cause I’ve had some good luck early. But honestly, any time’s a good time to go crabbin’, better than sittin’ around doin’ nothin’, that’s for sure. But if you really wanna catch a bunch, they say when the tide’s comin’ in is best.
They talk about “prime crab season,” somethin’ about late spring to early summer, then again late summer to early fall. Sounds fancy, but all it means is that’s when the crabs are movin’ around the most, I reckon. So you got more chances to catch ’em then.
How to Catch Them Crabs
You don’t need no fancy stuff to catch crabs, let me tell ya. A simple hand line works just fine. You tie some bait on the end – chicken necks are good, so is that smelly fish they call bunker – and toss it in the water. Wait a bit, then slowly pull it up. If you’re lucky, a crab’ll be hangin’ on tight.
Some folks use these here collapsible traps. They’re like little cages you put the bait in, and the crabs crawl in and can’t get out. Those work pretty good too. And if you’re serious, you can get a license and use them bigger pots, Chesapeake-style they call ’em. Or trotlines, long lines with lots of baits on ’em. But you gotta get a special pass for that.
- Hand lines: Easy and cheap.
- Collapsible traps: Good for catchin’ a few.
- Chesapeake-style pots and trotlines: Need a license, but can catch a lot.
Where to Go at Dividing Creek
Dividing Creek, that’s the place to be. I hear tell it’s one of the best spots for crabbin’ in all of New Jersey. You can rent a boat, or just crab right off the dock. Or if you ask around, someone might point you to a good spot down the road. It’s a small, kinda run-down place, but the crabs don’t seem to mind none.
What You Need
Now, you don’t need a whole lot of stuff, but here’s a few things that’ll make your crabbin’ trip better:
First off, you need somethin’ to catch them crabs with, like I said, hand lines or traps. Then you need bait. Chicken necks are cheap and easy, but that bunker fish, that works real good too. You’ll need a bucket or somethin’ to put the crabs in, and maybe some gloves, ’cause them crabs can pinch somethin’ fierce! And don’t forget a hat and some sunscreen, ’cause the sun can be brutal out there on the water. And snacks, gotta have snacks.
Other Stuff
Some people, they get all technical. They talk about lookin’ for special fishin’ spots and usin’ special bait. They even got apps for that now! Can you believe it? Apps for crabbin’! But me, I just keep it simple. Find some water, throw in some bait, and see what happens.
I hear other folks talkin’ about their trips online, on somethin’ called “forums.” They tell each other where the crabs are bitin’ and what they’re usin’. Sounds like a lot of fuss to me, but I guess it helps some folks.
Last Words
So that’s about all I know about crabbin’ at Dividing Creek. It ain’t rocket science. Just get yourself some bait, find a spot, and have some patience. And remember, even a bad day crabbin’ is better than a good day workin’! So get out there and catch yourself some crabs!
And one more thing, always be respectful of the water and the creatures in it. Don’t leave any trash behind, and only take what you need. We gotta keep Dividing Creek nice for everyone to enjoy.
Tags: [Dividing Creek, Crabbing, New Jersey, Crab Season, Hand Lines, Crab Traps, Chesapeake Pots, Trotlines, Crab Baits, Chicken Necks, Bunker, Fishing Spots, Crabbing Tips, Crabbing Report]
