Page 19 - Discover Fall 2022
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would get the opportunity to set sail on pointed and said, “there it is, the bridge --
a fishing or crabbing trip with Uncle and it’s all ours.” We tied up the boat and
Mickey. So when I finally got the chance scrambled onto the bridge with our traps,
to go, my focus was on that 13 foot boat nets, and baskets, staking our claim for the
that was now floating at my feet, and day.
nothing else. It might have only been We would bait our traps with oily
13 feet long, but to me, it was a yacht. moss bunker, an inedible bait fish, and
Sporting my life jacket, sun screen and bug slowly drop them into the water so as not
spray, I was ready to go. All aboard! to scare off the crabs. The water was fairly
Our plan was to catch Maryland clear, and not very deep, so we could watch
blue claw crabs that day. The under- the crabs slowly circle the traps before
bellies of the male crabs are pearl white, entering. With a quick tug on the rope, the
with the most beautiful blue colored doors of the trap would slam shut, locking
claws. We navigated our way through the crabs inside. As I would raise the trap
the back marshes of Barnegat Bay to an to the walkway of the bridge, I could feel
old dilapidated wooden cable bridge that the crabs clawing at the doors, like caged
crossed one of the larger creeks. Most of gorillas seeking freedom. The crabs were
the rails on the bridge were missing. Some transferred to our bushel baskets, and the
of the steps were broken, and the bridge traps went back into the water for another
swayed from left to right as you crossed it. catch. It didn’t take long to fill that basket.
Surely this bridge would not be OSHA That day was the start of my passion
approved. Regardless, this is the place for crabbing and fishing. I will always
where you wanted to be for crabs, and it be thankful to my uncle for taking the
was our mission to be the first crabbers on time to bring me along, giving me this
the bridge. Once there, we would plant lifelong memory. Unfortunately, he passed
our proverbial flag, and prepare to ward off less than a year later, but the memories
other “invaders”. continued with my dad and brother, and
I remember sitting on my uncle’s the purchase of our own family boat. For
lap as we soared through the marsh, most youngsters, that first trip, whether it
making hairpin turns. There were no is to go crabbing or fishing, will inspire a
other boats in sight, which was good news memory that will last a lifetime.
as we pushed towards the bridge. Every Fifty plus years later, I am making it
curve brought new sights: giant snapping my mission to get as many young children
turtles retreating from the banks, emerald- as possible involved in this exciting sport.
green-headed mallard ducks, and snowy- I am paying forward the same opportunity
white egrets taking flight as we rudely that Uncle Mickey (and my dad) had given
invaded their “bedrooms”. As we quickly me so many years earlier. My dad, who is
approached our final turn, my uncle now 92, is responsible for so many of my
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