Gerald/Ballenas Winter springs,prawn crab

[bigredsnapper]

Just put the boat back in yesterday and haven't been out for a while. Any reports, gonna try and get out for a troll tomorrow. Changed over to the medium action HMX's with 20lb test, can't wait to get one on. Kelly you around? BRS

 

[Charter Tofino]

Nope but I'm back this weekend to help Jonny work on his new rig. Haven't heard a report in ages.

 

[bigredsnapper]

Ya all the old guys in the marina pulled their boats out and I haven't seen anyone around. Thought there might be a few die-hards out of Schooner cove if you hear anything drop me a line. Prawning is usually awesome this time of year. BRS

 

[Copper Moon]

I haven't heard of anyone prawning out of Schooner Cove lately.

 

[bigredsnapper]

Got out yesterday morning for a couple hours and dropped the prawn traps and headed over to Gerald for a troll. Beautiful morning, flat calm and sun was shining, what a difference a day makes! Was not rewarded with a fish but there was lots of birds and bait. I will check the traps tomorrow and we will see. Lots of debris/logs floating around really had to watch. BRS

 

[bigredsnapper]

Bunnies?..........BRS

 

[Fish Assassin]

Bunnies?..........BRS

He is a troll. Check out all of his 16 posts.

 

[bigredsnapper]

Thanks FA.....I shoulda known BRS

 

[lure-washer]

How many legal crab does it take to weigh 24 pounds?
Sounds like a pretty good sized boatload of licensed fisherpeople.
Lure-washer

 

[lure-washer]

Meant to say 34 pounds!
Lure-washer

 

[Charter Tofino]

Echoing BRS's comments the chuck is FULL of debris right now. Those super high tides combined with the big blows this week have pulled alot of junk off the beach. Beware if running out there.

 

[bigredsnapper]

Ya lots of floaters around hit a few things out there but didn't do any damage as far as I can tell. Only managed a slightly undersize which was a good little scrapper on the light gear(Thanks Jim and Burnsy). Prawns were OK still a few with eggs, usually they are done by now. Ended up going solo so I didn't drop the crab traps. Got the spring at Gerald on bottom 160ft with a 3.5" blue and silver coyote and small flasher. BRS

 

[Copper Moon]

My experience is that the eggs have just started and will not fall for a number of months. I thought that was why they sometimes close prawning until March or April.

 

[bigredsnapper]

Hey Moon, the eggs usually start showing up in September and are gone by Christmas. There seems to be a lot more around then too and I haven't seen any big numbers yet either. I have only put them out so I have to try some different spots til I find them. BRS

 

[Copper Moon]

BRS

I don't normally prawn between April and January, but I did do a few sets this year in September and was surprised to see a few berries. My normal experience is reflected in these documents:

http://www.mmadfish.com/prawnvoice/download/life_cycle_spiral_v7.pdf

http://www.shim.bc.ca/species/prawn-2.htm

Having said that I have caught some absolutely huge prawns in Greenway Sound in late July/early August when they had supposedly died off, so who knows

 

[bigredsnapper]

Hey Moon I have prawned out of Beachcomber for alot of years and Dec seems to be the best month and usually no eggs. Maybe the berried ones go deeper or shallower. I can see by the info posted that it seems to contradict what I am telling you but I only know from experience. So far this year you seem to be right, I will keep you posted. BRS

 

[Copper Moon]

Thanks, I plan to start in late jan. It would be nice to not have to return those big girls

 

[bigredsnapper]

Prawning is starting to get better and I released two small springs this morning. What an awesome day for this time of year.BRS

 

[the fog ducker]

Thx Moon

Good info ! alotta friends ask me , i just shrug my shoulders and tell them there Dalish lol....

FD

 

[bigredsnapper]

Hey FD if your'e referring to those"Big Girls" maybe you should change your handle to HF.............BRS