Crab Pots and Coinjock
Friday May 7, 2021
One look at the forecast this morning and we decided that we had better get moving. Rather than just go up to the north end of the Alligator River, we thought we should cross Albemarle Sound today while the wind was forecast to be relatively light. Tonight the wind velocity is meant to accelerate to 15-20 knots with gusts to 30 from the north west with possible thunderstorm. Then tomorrow, we would be expecting 15-20 knots from the west. All of this could make for poor conditions for crossing the sound. We called the marina early to ask if we could come in a day early but no one was at work at 7 am. We got underway.
The north-easterly winds made for a cold morning and we were wrapped up in layers like kids going out to play in the snow. We partially unrolled the genoa going up the Alligator River until we got near the bridge. Then once in the sound we were motor-sailing again. It was all going fairly well if a bit choppy until we started seeing crab pot floats.
Trying to spot the floats when there are white-caps and plenty of waves is pretty difficult. I found myself annoyed that the pots were so numerous. Personally, I don’t care for crab as a food-stuff so the pots are double annoying. Some research revealed that blue crab is North Carolina’s most valuable commercial fishery. On average, 27 million pounds of blue crab are harvested each year with a value of $26 million. The Albemarle and Pamlico sounds account for 90% of this harvest. The season for crab is largely May through October. I guess that explains why there are so many floats out there.
Having crossed the Albemarle Sound without “catching a crab pot”, we are tied up at Coinjock Marina. We will spend two nights here and then carry on to Norfolk. There is laundry to do and prime rib to eat!
Gloria
36 20.872 N, 75 56.963 W
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