Crab Pots has always been a problem on Albemarle Sound, and not just along the AICW passage across the sound from Alligator River to either North River (NC – VA Route) or the Pasquotank River (Dismal Swamp Route). This year, though, it looks as if they are a particularl concern.

All, we just transited the Albemarle Sound (northbound) today. Please use caution if you any concerns re hanging a pot. The sound is solid pots from the Alligator River up to the CG station in the Pasquotank River (on the magenta line). This is the Dismal Swamp route. A companion cruiser went up the to the Virginia Cut and experienced the same. He’s done this route back and forth for 14 years and has never seen the like. I’ve never seen them as dense as we experienced, I thought I was in Maine. The zig zags added a third more time to the transit. Of course the 20-25 knots winds
gusting to 30 out of the wsw didn’t help any. So much for the forecast of 15 out of the south with 1′ to 2′ ers. Perhaps this is a reflection of the economy and folks trying to make ends meet. Any case be careful up here!
Joe
“Carolyn Ann”

The location of pots and numbers was explained to me by a local friend who is a good friend of a local commercial crabber( fishes over 400 pots). The large #1 males are coming out of the mud at the eastern end of the Albemarle Sound hence the high concentration of pots in the areas of the two ICW routes at this time of year. As the season progresses the pots will be moved further west up the sound with the crabs. The unemployment rate is 13+% hence more folks are crabbing to survive this tough economy. I wish them well, it’s a tough way to make a living.
I plan to continue my efforts to avoid depriving them of a single pot.
Joe
“Carolyn Ann”

We took the Virginia Cut route almost a month ago and noticed the same. The good news was that they seemed to all be placed on the edges of the channel making it hard not to stay in the channel.
Gil

I’ve never seen so many pots as lower pasquatank and up the sound to little river (early July 09). My full keel seems to miss them and sailed that whole section but do not envy those with exposed props.
Chase