Chesapeake Bay Kayak Crabbing June 21 - Heavy Crabs in Early Season and an encounter w/ a fisherman!

Decided to take the Hobie Outback out and try my luck again at getting some early June crabs. With 600' of trotline baited with chicken, I hit a mid-bay spot that has been good to me in the past. It did not disappoint. Although the numbers were not crazy high the, quilty was real good. The crabs were big and heavy. Also had an encounter with a fisherman. I guess some people just don't know.
Kayaks - 2021 Hobie Outback, 2014 Native Ultimate FX12
Video Camera - GoPro 9
Camera - iPhone 10
Edited in - iMovie
Music provided my KZbin

[@justinbressler7773]

I can’t wait for June!!!

[@southpaw_reels]

Gonna head south second week of May just to give it a shot.

[@justinbressler7773]

@@southpaw_reels good luck, I live down that way and was planning to go out near end of may as well. By first week of June last year, crabs were moving in. I hope you have a great season.

[@southpaw_reels]

@@justinbressler7773 You too buddy. Hope it's a better season than last year.

[@larryjacobs4236]

How do you connect the bait to the rope

[@southpaw_reels]

They are connected to small ropes that are tied to the main line.

[@terrancekey7997]

Awesome vid! Thinking about buying one soon, and also want to use it to trotline and fish on the bay. Is specifics for the crabbing setup? Where is this location, i am concerned about trotlining in the areas i fish/crab of pier where water is a bit choppier.

[@southpaw_reels]

This was a tributary off the middle bay.

[@denniss.466]

Nice video! Keep them going! Are you all satisfied with your Hobie Outback? I'm based in MD and also looking for a kayak for trotline crabbing. Any cons you have discovered so far? Thank you.

[@southpaw_reels]

Love the Outback. If I had to give a con. about it, it would be that you will get wet in a little chop. But, it is a kayak after all...lol. There are lots of options out there though. Do your research and if possible test ride a few.

[@Matty_K_525]

Great looking net! Could you say how you made it?

[@southpaw_reels]

I actually purchased it at a local fishing shop.

[@seonggkim]

Let us know how you did mid May! June is around the corner and I’m super excited!

[@southpaw_reels]

Hope to fit it in my schedule...things are a little crazy right now. I will update when I get out. Thanks.

[@chriss8206]

Has the DNR given you any grief over the size of your buoys.

[@southpaw_reels]

Not at all. Been using them for several years.

[@chriss8206]

@@southpaw_reels I just tried the trot line for the first time this past weekend lost a whole entire rig .except for the stupid buoys. Luckily I had my chart plotter GPS turned on I could see where I had laid the trot line out .was able to snag it with a hook and get it back. Hell of a first time experience. Hopefully some day I'll be able to solo crab. You make it look easy.

[@southpaw_reels]

@@chriss8206 Man that's crazy, but glad you got it back. It took me a few tries to get in a rhythm. Keep at it and you will find what works best for you.

[@chriss8206]

@@southpaw_reels my biggest problem is where to go. I'm a very long time freshwater fisherman. I don't have a big boat. So finding a place that is not to rough for a smaller boat. Not familiar with salt water launches and places to go. .I get it nobody will tell me a place to launch out of for a smaller boat. I'm going to try the websters cove launch on the wicomico soon. Hopefully it won't be a waste of time. Long drive for nothing.

[@southpaw_reels]

@@chriss8206 If you don't have it already ge the GoPaddling app. Lots of places to launch form. You can also check out this link dnr.maryland.gov/Boating/Pages/water-access/boatramps.aspx What area do you live in?

[@brandonlure2738]

Where’d you get that net??

[@southpaw_reels]

Hey Brandon - I'm not really sure as I've had that thing for over 17 years. As for the wire mesh around the top I put that there about 8 years ago. It's just 1/2" square galvanized wire mesh that I purchased at one of the big box stores and cut it to fit.