At long last the crabbing crew returns to the backwaters of the Cape Fear River.

The RCGL has been renewed and there are several new items for the expedition most importantly a pair of "homemade" crabbing gloves. For the past year I've struggled with how to protect my hands and to still keep them dry. A typical set of work gloves protect fairly well but easily absorb water and become soaked rather quickly. Alternatively a set of rubber gloves provide little protection but will repel water and more importantly the muck that clings to the bottom of the pot. My answer was to double up the gloves by buying a pair of tight fitting cloth gloves and to wear a thick pair of rubber ones over top.

Another key item on my list was a crab gauge. The gauge is nothing more than a plastic stick for measuring legal "keepers" and I've even fashion my own in the past. This nifty red one comes directly from a marine retailer and features a 5", 5 1/2" and smaller measuring section. I've also opted to strengthen my cordage with 25' worth of 3/8" sinking line. The line along with two stout bricks should prevent any pot loss especially in the shallow branches of Bald Head creek.

My last addition for this trip is a pack of Turkey necks which I'll use as bait. The meat is considered scrap but is still useful to crabbers because it's tough and will last when submerged in the ocean. Professional crabbers may scoff at the proposition of using such bait but it's one of the few options for recreational fishers who don't have a stock of fish heads lying around. Hopefully the new bait will attract a lot of crabs and will last throughout the weekend. No loss if it doesn't since the bait is cheap and readily available.