Ideas on where to crab near PC....

Looks like I'm going to be at the coast this weekend, had really had hoped the conditions were going to be favorable to finally do some fishing in the big blue,looks like that's going to have to wait.

Looking to do some crabbing this weekend, anyone have any suggestions on where, thinking in the vicinity of PC...  Just looking for a bridge/dock, or a chill place to put my kayak in.  Also, any coastal rivers around there that would be worth a shot going after some fish?  Anyone know anything about Nestucca river?

Thanks!

Sean

You could try Netarts bay just north - I haven't set traps in there yet, but it is a regular spot. 

Ya, I think I'm going to give it a go!

Would like to hear how that goes for you.  Netarts can be motor boat crazy.

Go to Whalen Island that is just north of PC.  It is in the estuary behind Sand Lake.  VERY easy kayak launch and you can be crabbing within a few paddle strokes from launch.  If the tide isn't too high, you can paddle under the bridge and crab the upper hole.  Zero motor boat traffic, and heck you could even camp there, provided it isn't all full before you get there. 

Click on the Google Map link below and look at the two puddles on either side of the bridge. 

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=45.273641,-123.946531&spn=0.003783,0.013733&t=h&z=17

Folks regularly crab off this bridge and do quite well.  There is a camp ground the far west over the bridge, and day use with your yak launch right there near the bridge.  I have been planning to do a day trip to play around out there and see if I can find some flounder.  You can also paddle around the entire island when the tide is in. 




View of the bridge from the day use parking, and boat ramp.


Boat ramp/day use parking.  And view of the lower hole.


View of the upper hole. 


Upper hole with bank crabbers using crab snares.

You did not hear it from me, but,,,  

Nestucca bay has been very good to me in the past. You gotta be cognizant of the tides though as the water can get really skinny and makes for a VERY uphill paddle when it gets going good on the fall.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/maps/Nestucca.asp

My hats off to you INSAYN, a guy asks a question and you answer back with details to a honey hole complete with photo journal.   Stuff like that is the reason this is the only internet forum you will find me on.

My hats off to you INSAYN, a guy asks a question and you answer back with details to a honey hole complete with photo journal.   Stuff like that is the reason this is the only internet forum you will find me on.

For sure...

Thanks Insayin, definitely going to save that location and check it out next time.  I ended up leaving town around 4PM on Friday...  Called around all the state and county parks were full, ended up staying at this Good Sam campground right across from the Tillamook Factory, wasn't too bad and they had a pig roast and band party the second night.

Ended up trying out Netarts bay Saturday morning, it was a little powerboat crazy, boats everywhere – all crabbing.  Didn't have any problems with the power boaters, I just floated for a while at first while I was baiting up my crab ring.  The boaters just seemed to go every which way through the channel, on the sides of the channel, from one spot to another checking rings and traps.  At first I was worried about being in someone's area/turf or whatever, but from watching everyone it became apparent it wasn't territorial at all (unlike crossing the hog lines in OC).  A couple times I threw my ring fairly close to other floats, was a little nervous about being in the way.   A powerboater came over aimed towards me and was swearing, going this way and that, I asked if I was too close to their gear, "nah your fine if I could only steer the god damn boat", heh.  That's about as heated as it got  couple people mad at themselves, lots of curious boaters would come over ask me questions "Is it hard to pull it up?"  Umm no it's like 8 feet of water lol...

Started off using some freezer burnt smelt I had, it worked so-so.  Later another pb came over and asked if I wanted some chicken, they said it worked really well, I had been seeing a couple seals playing around stealing bait so I jumped at it.  Guess everyone viewed me as the underdog, I'd say 75% of the males  I pulled were soft, didn't bother checking the females. I got one good keeper on Saturday, then Sunday I went back for a couple more hours and got a couple more, perfect.  Was only looking for enough crab for Saturday night and Sunday night for me and my gf so I consider the trip a success.

I caught and released about 7 red rock crab  .  I was unaware there was not a size or sex restriction to them at the time, I was pretty sure a couple of the males I caught were legal  but didn't bother measuring them since I wasn't totally sure of the rules concerning them.  Next time!

Pics? If I can find my camera/charger.... 

About the state campgrounds in that area - usually full to the brim until September.  My experience has been that when Cape Lookout is full, the county campground at Barview has plenty of space, and nearly the same overall amenities (just tent sites and camper hookups, but clean toilets and showers).  Fish cleaning stations, right next to Barview jetty.

I'm not free to do anything with my yak until next week, but come Monday I think I may go car camping and crabbing/fishing for a couple of days.

My experience has been that when Cape Lookout is full, the county campground at Barview has plenty of space.

Called Barview, they said they were full... Lots of people went to the beach this weekend to escape the heat...

Oh ya, forgot to mention what I used to hold the "keepers".  Basically I'd pull up my ring, hold it on the edge of the cockpit and over the water (so the little ones would fall into the water, and not inside my cockpit).  Then when I got a keeper I put it in a burlap sack shook the crab down to the bottom, twisted it around and then wrapped a rope around the twist, just threw it down in my cockpit near my legs (haha).  Was taken a chance, as I have never crabbed before but they seemed to get pretty docile and just chill when they are all wrapped up in the burlap sack.

Crab get stupid and don't do much if you can put them on their back.  Especially in a bucket.  Just plop them upside down without water (or they will drown once they deplete the oxygen).  Just put your wet burlap on top of them to keep them cool and dripped on.

Red rocks are actually pretty tasty, but mean buggers!  They won't let you put them on their back, so you have to just put them in your sack and hope they don't getcha!   There is no size or sex restriction on them either, but you can only keep 24.  Most of their meat is in the pincher's. 

Never took a bucket with me, I don't think i really need one... Just trying to keep it simple as possible.  Once they are wound tight in the burlap they dont' move at all, upside down or ringside up, at least with the dungeness.

Never took a bucket with me, I don't think i really need one... Just trying to keep it simple as possible.  Once they are wound tight in the burlap they dont' move at all, upside down or ringside up, at least with the dungeness.

Your way works too.   

If I had a SOT, i'd take a bucket.  But I just don't have room for one in my kayak in the cockpit, and it'd be a pain turning aorund and grabbing it every time i needed it.

Ya know another option would be to hang a divers mesh catch bag off the other side of your yak while your dealing with your keepers, and then put it on the floor of your cockpit while you paddle between pulls.