Kayak Point - Oct, Nov - Fishing and Crabbing

Greetings fellow fishermen.

I have a two-part question that I'm hoping someone can help me with:

1. I believe I read somewhere that there is a winter season for crabbing, I think he was going to be announced in early October. Does anyone here know if that's true, I looked but I could not find the article I thought that I read this. The second part of this question is has anybody been crabbing off kayak point this time a year?

2. I was thinking that to kill time while the pots were down(I've never done this by the way) I would do some fishing.   The report says that this time year is good for coastal cutthroat, coho salmon and Cabezon.   Does anyone have advice on a universal Luer and or live bait that I should be using to catch these types of fish? Does a regular Lakes spinner work for the coastal cutthroat? My better off trolling or laying something on the bottom?

Forgive the basic questions here but I only been only fisherman over the course of my life, with the exception of one I lived in Florida and with fish with shrimp.  Any advice is welcome, thank you!

I live pretty close to kayak point, and regularly crab the area when it's open. Winter crab season will hopefully be announced soon, and was good last year. Just keep checking the wdfw website for the announcement. As far as fishing, coho is not open as far as I know. I haven't caught any keeper cabezon at kayak point, but jigs with red worms on the bottom usually work for them. Flounder fishing can be pretty good sometimes, and I usually use a drop shot rig with clam necks, squid, or herring chunks on the bottom. I don't think you can fish past 120 feet due to rockfish laws.  PM me if you want to meet up out there when crab opens up.


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Here's a link to the regs in case you don't have it.  Didn't see a crab opening.  Looks like cut throat are catch and release in the salt.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01818/wdfw01818.pdf
Drop an update if you go, along with the putin sites as it's nice to have for options.

Thanks guys for the information. I'll definitely reach out if and when we go crabbing up the kayak point. I think they're supposed to announce the winter season any day. Question, when you do go crabbing kayak point do you do so off the pier or boat?   I have not yet tried to crab off my kayak thought this could be fun. Is that what you have in mind?

Most haul them on the kayaks but it's all about knowing what you're comfortable with.  Some stack pots assembled on the kayak and some assemble that at the drop areas.  You need to know the depth and have at least 25% extra leaded rope depending on the tide status.  Water can move fast near there as it gets squeezed coming out of the bay at the peak of a tide run.  Good to have extra floats on top and weights in the pot to keep it on the bottom.  Can get a bit exciting pulling up and sorting if you get a load.  Think things through carefully before launching and then be prepared for some fun, regardless if you get crab.  Also, when you're pulling in the current you can end up going a lot way during the process so at least the first time, might not be bad to drop them before slack tide and get them up before the rips start until you get comfortable.  Suit up for a spill and good idea to have a buddy close by if you can.

I never crab in October or later before, I planned to do that this year. Last Saturday or Sunday, I heard a kayaker die in the Puget sound area and he/she has a PFD on. So I am scare now, not sure I can go until I buy a dry suit. what are you guys thought on this issue?

My thoughts are no different than in the summer.  Don't go if you don't feel comfortable.  In the winter prepare for a spill and re-entry even if you haven't in the past.  Go with a buddy whenever possible but it's a paddlers choice.  I typically use a dry suit in the fall/winter unless it's really protected water and then paddle pants and a paddle top while closer to shore.  My inflatable PDF stays home and I wear a full one.  If you're questioning yourself at all, best to stay on the pier unless you have a suit and a buddy.  Practice a few times in a safe area even if the odds of a catch are down.  Get to know the depth of where you plan to drop and then add some more rope to take that issue off the table. Few things happen the same on the water as they did in your mind on land. Lots of other thoughts such as marine radios, but the biggest choice is made by the paddler.