crabs

Floatin, Are you still digging your way out of the snow every morning?
 I got everything ready to go on the traps, just no chance to get the yak out in the storms we have had for a while this year.
 The nearest Bi-Mart is at least 2 hours through the mountains on hwy 199.
 I have been getting crab from my neighbor who is a commercial fisherman. Not a very good year at all for the crabbers down here. OK for sport but not for a living!
 A friend called yesterday and wants to try for some razor clams today, Haven't been razor clamming since grade school.
I prefer the butter clams myself.
Thay are still catching steelies on the Chetco, but its slowing a bit.
 The few that can get out for a few hours on power boats are really slaying the Lingcod here. Lots of big ones!
 Well I'll quit ranting and let you go.
 Thanks for the tip on the traps though!!
 Take Care

Hey Box, The snow is subsiding, now its just mud and slush on the dirt road. Not for long though.
Hey tell the wife you want to treat her to a day out, drive the 2 hours to the bi-mart town, let her buy some stuff, cloths, make up, whatever then go have lunch. After lunch just happen to drive by the Bi mart and say "hey lets check this place out, I've always heard about it" then walk around alittle mosey by the sports dept. and find the crab pots. Rant and rave about the price and say I just got to get one or two at this price. Hey it works for me. But me having to be at home with the kidds all day also plays in my favor, as I need my "time" to unwind. worth a shot.

C-ya
Matt

Matt,
 
Man, that was a MAGNIFICENT plan! On the way home from dinner and I saw the Bi-mart was still open. Said "I hear they have pretty good prices, kinda like costco." she bit. Got baggies, paper towels, new thermos for my girl, and "gee honey! look over here by the bait box in the back corner of the store! This is a really great price on these! and you love crab,,,,,"
She looked at me like "yeah right". 
Got 1 trap out of the store and a membership. Pretty nice selection in the fishing department. Can't believe I have not been in there before!
I know now

Well I am just glad I could help, thats why we all sit around this digital campfire right. To help each other and tell whoppers of fish tales, (except for mine, there all true ) right. I like Bi-mart, to bad there is not one where I am moving to. But I am sure I will find someplace to throw my money at on a regular bases.
Matt

Matt, you're going to want to check out Swain's when you get to Port Angeles.  Is the move still on for the end of the month?

So far so good, knock on wood. But it ain't  over til the fat lady sings, or we close on March 22.
I am working on getting Trenton transfered in to his new school, and church CCD stuff.

You are gona have to draw me a map with all your spots around discovery bay for me to explore. It sounds like a lot of fun and I can't wait.
Just read some stuff in STS mag on queets and bogichial rivers. That sill be another wne to get keyed into.
Matt

Hey guys, I'm a newbie to Seattle and wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing a little intel about where you fish for crab? Thanks!!
Z

The crab season is currently closed in Puget Sound and this year's open season has not been set yet.

-Allen

We have some great crabbing in the fall down here on the lower Columbia River that would have easy access by kayak, so I've been wondering about crabbing gear when using a kayak.  With my other boat I had the best luck using rings.  I've been wondering about making some scaled down crab rings which could be pulled using some kind of davit.  With several rings a person could keep fairly busy going from ring to ring.  The folding crab pots seem rather large to deal with in a kayak.

Jim

Hey, what ever trips your trigger! 

I've been a fan of traps cause they allow me to multi task, i.e. fish while soaking the traps.

Have you seen the Promar folding traps? I haven't seen or used them, but I've read some positive comments about them on the NorCal site. Allen might have had some experience with them.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0024601016855a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=promar+crab+traps&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=promar+crab+traps&noImage=0

I've crabbed with the good old Danielson's off a yak, but haven't tried any other traps.  Worked well enough for me though.

-Allen

Hey, what ever trips your trigger! 

I've been a fan of traps cause they allow me to multi task, i.e. fish while soaking the traps.

Have you seen the Promar folding traps? I haven't seen or used them, but I've read some positive comments about them on the NorCal site. Allen might have had some experience with them.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0024601016855a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=promar+crab+traps&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=promar+crab+traps&noImage=0

Thanks for the link.  The deluxe 32" Lobster/Crab hoop net is exactly what I had in mind.  I think the reason I like rings like that is that it gives me something to do out there.  Plus, I think they work faster.  Here in the Columbia the "window of opportunity" for catching crab is fairly short, being right at low slack water or high slack water.  I was out driving around this afternoon looking for good launch sites for easy access to my favorite crabbing area.

Jim

I'd love to tag along sometime with anyone crabbing in NW Oregon via kayak.  I'd like to learn the ropes, and I figure it never hurts to have back up.

Do folks use outriggers or any kind of aid to stabilize the kayak when pulling their traps up?  Seems like a trap full of fat, angry crabs might be a bit of a challenge to bring up off the bottom in a narrow kayak.

I just dangle my feet over the sides while pulling.  When the pot gets to the top, I pull it up in front of me and dump the crabs into the footwells for sorting.

Scotty has a roller arm to help you out ... http://www.scottypaddlesports.com/pages/accessories.html  I would think you wouldn't have to lean over when pulling, but I've never tried one.

-Allen

I just dangle my feet over the sides while pulling.  When the pot gets to the top, I pull it up in front of me and dump the crabs into the footwells for sorting.

Scotty has a roller arm to help you out ... http://www.scottypaddlesports.com/pages/accessories.html  I would think you wouldn't have to lean over when pulling, but I've never tried one.

-Allen

Boy, this just keeps getting better and better.  First the crab rings I'm looking for and now just the kind of davit I was thinking about.  Now, I just need a kayak. 

Jim