Kayak Crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay - Early Season - 6/6/2021

[@LarryWBrown]

Nice video work Jon, and a nice setup for crabbing!

[@southpaw_reels]

Thank you Larry. I appreciate that.

[@amydeickman1796]

Nice catch!

[@PCSalesStaff]

How do you know best place to go?

[@southpaw_reels]

I've been crabbing for 40+ years, I know a good amount of spots to go. That being said, I still look for new spots. They are not always in the usual places some days are better than others.

[@billhudson2196]

I'm starting kayak crabbing this summer. Your setup looks quite functional. Any tips for a newcomer? Also, what tyoe of rope are you using for the main line? Thanks! Great video, Jon.

[@southpaw_reels]

Thanks Bill. The main line is 3 strand 1/4" cotton rope. Lots of guys run #8 loctite also. I had the 1/4" so I used it. The #8 does take up a little less room in the 5 gal. bucket though. I run 600' of line, baits are spaced about 10' apart. I feel 600' is manageable. I've ran 1200' and it is easy to run but storing it on the kayak, laying it out and picking it up are a chore. I do find crabbing out of the yak more relaxing and enjoyable, but that's just me. If you have any further questions about setup or actually crabbing feel free to give me a shout and I'll do my best to answer ya. Best of luck.

[@billhudson2196]

@@southpaw_reels Thank you. I was worried 600 would be too much but I'll give it a shot!

[@southpaw_reels]

@@billhudson2196 not at all. 600 of baited line will fit nicely in a 5gal. bucket. My only issue is hitting the 5gal bucket when I catch the crab, if I'm not right on the mark the crab will miss and go in the yak or right back in the water. I need to figure out something a little bigger to put up front as a crab catch. lol

[@billhudson2196]

@@southpaw_reels Are the orange plastic bushel baskets too big for the front of the kayak? That could work I'd imagine.

[@southpaw_reels]

@@billhudson2196 They do fit, but with the Hobie Outback has a concave hatch up front and it doesn't sit well without strapping it down. I'll figure something out. lol

[@billhudson2196]

Also curious how many feet of line you are running, and how far apart you recommend the baits be placed. Thanks for any info you can share.

[@thomasbarnes9766]

Is that forward hatch standard on the outback for your 5 gal. bucket? Shopping outback vs mirage 12. Thanks

[@southpaw_reels]

I'm guessing you are referring to the white liner that fits the hatch hole, unfortunately you would have to purchase the liner separately. They run about $70 +/-. That being said, once you put the liner in the 5gal. bucket fits in it very well. I do not recommend just putting the 5gal. bucket in the hatch opening without the liner only because you run the risk of taking waves or whatever over the bow and having water fill your hull. Hope that helps answer your question.