New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-23
DAYS FOR GRABBING NOW.
A FASCINATING SPORT FOR EARLY
AUTUMN.

and redlenins orc hards are full OF enjoyment for
the crabber All OF shallow bays and inlets and
creeks are alive with crabs. crabs soft-sheled and
hard-shelled. crabs cnging to sedge and drifting
weed. and crabs nnbly swimming on the surface
and all are big fellows. The small. thin light
crustacean OF n month ago. having Toasted and ban
quoted on the luscious dead fish and garbage OF our
waters TO his hearts content, Is become a large,
fat. heavy creature, tempting 10 the eyes OF
sportsman and irresistible TO those of an epicure.
1t is pleasure. too. now to drift along the reed
fringed tideways found by the crisp breezes of
early fall. where a few weeks one would have
melted under a merciless sun and no ripple would
have stirred the creek. The flies and bugs that
were annoying and so many then have large.y
disappeared. and the salt hay. that happy hunt
Ing ground and historic haunt OF the mosquitoes.
has been from the meadows. The whistle o'
the quail In the stubble the paIntive cry Of the
Wild dove. the shrill twiter Of the snpe along
shore. all call you the open field and marshland.
You will require extensive preparation no
costly or elaborate outfit for n grabbing trip. and
the Journey to the grounds Will be short. To begin
with. a suit OF old clothes AMI pair Of ancient
boots which frescong OF black creek mud and salt
water Will not damage. and a broad-brimmed hat
to shield your eyes from the sun on the water. VIII
be- your most comfortable rig. big ball OF strong
Irvine. n grain sack dozen pieces OF tough beef
about three inches long by two wide. for bait, ana
last. but far from least net. or course there
other bats beside beef. and pork or lamb VIII
answer very we'll. Frogs make n most anurng
charm always and II you are where you can XIII
/ some OF them you Will be assured OF big eaten
OF crabs Some bits OF tee lead or Iron nails must
be taken along 10 be tied 10 the line for slnkers
n the tide runs AZ all swiftly. Your net You can
buy FOR a quarter. handle and all. at almost any
city hardware store: but II you have time much
better way 10 get your carpenter 70 turn YOU out
n round pole Of light. strong wood about one and n
quarter inches IN diameter and ten feet long Then
yet the blacksmith to set in this wrought iron
ring fourteen inches across and of nv""ighthS men
wire and bind the handle by a stout iron Yer al" 70
prevent splitting. This whole thing Will not COS;
more than seveniy-nve cents and Will last for many
years. II gives you better reach than the short
store nets and strong enough - allow yon 20 use
II as a push-pole - prope! your boat without fear
OF smashing II. The Itself Is easy - make. bit
takes time and the ones sod NJ fifteen cents in the
shops are practically MS good any handmade
ones This completes the equipment.
The condition OF Tho tide must govern your time
FOR setting ont. the proper time - arrive on The
fishing grounds being the early part 81 the mood.
Just when the rising tide has covered the nats 10 a
depth OF six eight inches you should be- afoat
Try In selecting spot FOR your DAYS SPORT ~
avon one near fishing village or the homes ~
market crabber- FOR these fellows thoroughly eN-
haust the crab army by their nocturnal massacres.
| one O, them will start dark night with a
huge Jack light" projecting over the bow OF his
scow and wherever the piercing rays OF llght from
the great lantern fall the poor crabs lie paralyz'd
unable to cir In this condition they ar" r"adF
sco9ped I'D hy the dozens. and the nigh-crahbers
viii bring In from three 10 four hundred apiece
every dawn. Naturally the amateur who does his
fishing on the next tide Is surprised 10 ma the
game scarce.
II YOU can hire a scow that ia about square
a, each end Il will be found more roomy and suit
able FOR the work than those with the pointed bows
20 far NOR =
a,one) one VIII stand n each end. letting the craft
dr., b-oal4lie on with the tide Here and there
ahead you VIII bare spots % clear mud ar sam
free from the heavy growth o' eel grass tha' mas
! turned up-creek with the incoming nool. II Is
only I'm these openings that YOU will hc all" to SOC
| and capiure your prey. Tor when among The weeds
/ u-o,her crab keeps well concealed You are now
beginning the most exciting branch OF the art name
lv "jahb.ng" This consists IN srooping me cranS
without using bait or line As III" rdscils u9uaiy
turn IKE a las the approach ~ boat ami
s-uitie on - is ~ slo--coachs work. Keen.
quick eye AMI strong. sure arm ana hand one
mus, hav. II he would be a COOL "iabher." Nature
se.ms 10 have borne well IN mial when sh"
built the crab that the charm Of his s""''
flesh would Doc the death % the race. nm
less she gave him unusual facilities f1r escape AMI
80 constructed MIN that h. can run Ike prair"
n-e In any direction without turning around.
Wild deer. . nying pee'r or a mai dog Is clumsy
and slow beside sclrcl crab
There, Too lat, That vanishing Hash Of bush
gray that shot across the oyster-shclls. leaving
smoky cloud 81 mad behind Was a crab. Her"
comes another. carrying with him In on" up'fted
claw "A bit OF nsh. while he toars at 1t with IN"
other Now be - under the grass. The scamp Is
crouching under yonier floating sea kale STRIKE
qulck and not tco deep You have him. Gu'ck'
Another crossing tn stern. ami VIII b" under IN"
boat In a moment. TWO At once. and on" IS Hoti
crab The other Is carrying him arouni "h!Ie nc j.
HELPLESS and tries 10 guard him from their many
foes There are two old male b!ue-cla~s hshtlng
a savage battle In the water grass. Th"y are so
bitter each 80 wrapped mp in destroying the other
TIA, Won steal upon them and In twnkiins land
both stn swapping and cashng In the bottom OF
the boat.
As the tide rises the numbers Increase. but ~ be
comes harder to strike your quarry through the
deepening water You learn many Of the PIT points
Of an old experienced abber one OF the most impor
tant Is to make the plunge toward the head al
WAYS rs the start Is NOR. likely 20 be that way
first Again you must dive down straight II you
reach out lean far over you not on.y run a FISK
OF going overheard. but the increased weight OF IN"
net at that angle renders failure probable Plsh
your boat with the net end OF me w'hpoh 'pr I'M
you get more support on the soft nlna am VIVA.
is more. the black does not trickle do"h your
arm and sleeve when you scoop crab sometimes
you Will strike too deep, and while thr many irSsga
follow travels Of waving his claws IN drnant
farewell You find yourself trying TO raise the whole
creek bottom In your poor net AEa,. ~ S3u , W.
crushing him and rendering him unht for use. Tor
only live crabs may b. cooked Most provoking OF
nI Is To raise the net with such force as 70 n!hB
the crab headong into the water on the turth'r
side OF the craft 49, . -
Nv and by the depth is too great 10 jan In any
hanger Half A fathoin Of clear green covers the
mud and nearly hides the clam-sheils ana era tses
You draw the to the mouth OF sinaer cIteh
thai empt!es into the big one ana there Try inc ihr
fishing The pieces % meat are one ny one tlcu on
and tossed over well weighted with lead. ior nere
the tightening OF string tells that crap y tug
gil companion V,
In the line and the cleaning white belly ana caW'
tlnged with blue loom up through the water. Nearer
the surface and yet nearer until you see ne II
about TO stop eating and let 20 his grip whril
rplash, and ne Is kicking In your dripping net ny
this time two OF the other lines are strained 10 ther
utmost and before long all are being pulled lor
dear NE This is the real harvest true. II IS no
such fine sport as the other was. but there are tt"
misses BOYS and women often fish from me Dihk
this way and ca tch fair mcsses. though IL Is mudhy