Disapointing crab opener

Went out for opening crab and with more than a dozen in the pots, not a single crab even close to legal size from my usual spot.  Pretty disappointing start to the season.

I am wondering if I was just unlucky or if there has been some pre season overfishing.  My wife was at Golden Gardens a few weeks ago during a weekday and said the native fishermen were out in force with hundreds of pots in the water and filling large tanks on flatbed trucks with crab.

Anyone else have luck in the N Seattle/Shoreline area?

I heard of lots of just under size crab and guys scratching for limits but finding them. The natives were definitely out prior to the sport opener. Good bait and frequent checks seem to be a solid combination.

I gave up on traps a few years ago. Now I just free dive and pick out the ones I want (no I don't jump traps). Shilshole was great for traps a couple of years ago, now it seems to have been discovered and the density of traps is just stupid. There are still a lot of crabs hiding in the jetty and under docks/piers where traps can't reach.

I gave up on traps a few years ago. Now I just free dive and pick out the ones I want (no I don't jump traps). Shilshole was great for traps a couple of years ago, now it seems to have been discovered and the density of traps is just stupid. There are still a lot of crabs hiding in the jetty and under docks/piers where traps can't reach.

Do you prefer red rock crab over dungies?

Bill, here's the story.  Anne and I went out on the kayaks on the opener.  Did two sets around the corner from Shilshole.  Got several shorts, females and one keeper. 

Yaktrap texted me saying "Traps don't work - you need to dive for them.  I'll get you some crab for your 4th of July bbq"..  He shows up with 4 red rock crab.  Still tasty, except for the one that looked like someone removed the claw and burned the opening with a cigar.

the fishing has been awful too

I actually fish at Richmond Beach, I was just curious if other people in the larger area had the same experience.

Last summer there were always a bunch of recreational pots but I always managed to get at least a couple keepers.  I was out there for 2 hours Saturday and checked both pots twice and only had undersized.

I have most of the gear to free dive, except a weight belt and hood, and the people here have been making me want to try.  I might have to give it a go this summer if it keeps up like this.

Diving is definitely the way to go!  Weights aren't a must if your diving less than 15', but you're gonna work way harder without them. 28# seems to be my magic number. You need a hood for sure though!

You don't need a hood, just write your name on your suit so you remember it after the freeze sets in.

How thick of a suit do you guys use?

Mine and NWnoob are 2pc 7mm, so it's 14mm over the core. My gloves and boots are 5mm, and a 7mm hood.

3/4 mm suit. No booties. Gardening gloves. 5mm hood. 12 lb weight belt. I last an hour or more this time of year. Your results may vary my thermostat is always high.

My fingers start getting cold around 3 hours. Typically have a selective limit of both crab flavors by that point. Just enjoying all the sea life and shooting at perch. Unbelievable how much life is in south sound eel grass beds!! I'll strap the GoPro on one day.

I may have to give this a go one of these days .... Would be a good use of the surfing wet suit I've never used. Just need a weight belt now.

I use a 5/4mm one piece with wrist and calf gaskets.  with a hood I'm still warm after 2 hours.  Without a hood I'm cold after 2 hours lol.