Best/safest place to crab on NW coast for newbie

I would like to go crabbing with my new Hobie Revo 13.  I live near Portland and was wondering where the best place to crab is with a kayak, taking into account I'm new to kayaking.

I'm by no means the crabbing expert, but Nehalem Bay is pretty accessible from Portland and is a bit more laid back than Tillamook Bay or the Columbia River.

#1 yaquina bay in newport or #2 waldport.

The best place would be somewhere you can go with an experienced partner.


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#1 yaquina bay in newport or #2 waldport.

I think Waldport is a great option to get started, use the boat launch at Robinson Park near the Dock of the Bay Marina, head across the bay and crab just off the north shore in 15' to 20' of water, from the 101 bridge up about 1/4 mile. There used to be an big piece of concrete conduit laying on the beach, that was a visual waypoint for crabbers (drop pots from there down to the bridge)...if you stay above the 101 bridge very little chance of conditions getting nasty...cheers,roger 

Tillamook bay is perfectly fine if you have a guide such as myself or one of the guys I have taken. If not with someone then an extensive knowledge of the tides and currents.

#1 yaquina bay in newport or #2 waldport.

I think Waldport is a great option to get started, use the boat launch at Robinson Park near the Dock of the Bay Marina, head across the bay and crab just off the north shore in 15' to 20' of water, from the 101 bridge up about 1/4 mile. There used to be an big piece of concrete conduit laying on the beach, that was a visual waypoint for crabbers (drop pots from there down to the bridge)...if you stay above the 101 bridge very little chance of conditions getting nasty...cheers,roger

That is my favorite place to crab! If you look closely on Google Maps of the Alsea Bay (Waldport) you will get a very good sense of where the channels are that run underneath the power lines. Roger is right on one of them! I personally have better luck in the middle one between the two power poles and to the East. I cant remember a time I went that I didn't get limits of crabs.

If you are bringing family or guests, I would highly recommend the Dock of the Bay Marina will rent you a small Alaskan boat with a small motor, life jackets, gas, crab rings,  and bait for $80. Jana will take care of you! FUN!

I've had my best days crabbing the Alsea Bay as well.  However this was on the public dock years ago.

I would certainly agree with the others in the Waldport/Alsea crab fishery as a good place to go. 

Being new to kayaking in the salt, be sure to let someone at home know when you are launching, and when you expect to get back off the water. Let them know when you actually get off the water.

+1 on nehalem bay.  Launch from the beach north or south of the dock at the state boat launch.  We crabbed there for many years.  Set your traps/rings about 3 hours to high tide and grab them at high slack.

Waldport or Nehalem.   Newport has too much boat traffic in my opinion for a beginner to deal with and still have a good time.   Try to recruit an experienced kayak crabber too.   Stay safe and keep pot lines off your body

Thanks for all the feedback.  I think I'm going to try Nehalum bay for starters since it is only about 1.5 hours from my house. If I lived a little further South, I would definitely choose Waldport as my go to crabbing destination. I've crabbed several times from shore in Waldport and have always had good luck.

I'm hoping my Kayak will help improve my catch closer to home.

The tides are my primary concern in a Kayak in the bay, so I'm going to make sure to plan well.  I will also pay close attention to the weather.  Good advice to drop the traps 3 hours before high tide and pick them up on the slack then get off the water.






 

Safest is Newport. Coast Guard Station is right there.