Crescent Harbor crabbing

I've been crabbing Crescent Harbor (on Whidbey Island) and doing pretty well.  The picture was taken opening day when we limited on nice sized crab with several ~ 7 1/2 inches.  Weather on the opening was plenty wet, but the crabs didn't care.

Just a pic of me out in front of the old Seaplane base with the "Dolly Parton" building in the background    

For those of you who plan on crabbing this area and launching at one of the two old seaplane ramps, they are now charging a $5 launch fee if you do not have a DOD sticker on your vehicle.  I'm ex Air Force and a retired DOD civilian, but that doesn't cut it here.  There is a free place to launch at an old Ice House just across Crescent Harbor from the old Seaplane ramps.

Man those crab are sweet!

Gary

Nice yak (i've got one just like it)
What kind of crab traps are you using? Are they light?  I've been using crab rings, which are a pain to use on a yak,  you gotta watch your huevos if the little buggers get out and into your boat

I was crabbing with my Cousin who also has a yellow Prowler 15 .  They are just great for everything I use a yak for.  The traps are not Danielsons, but are just about the same size and weight.  I used crab rings in the past and finally decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to traps.  I would not transport two traps in rough water fully opened like the ones in the picture though.  It does change your CG enough to be a problem with rougher conditions and winds.  By the time you add the bait, rope, float & a little weight, they weigh about 15 lbs. each according to my scale.  You do need to bungee them down on deck or use some sort of safety clip to avoid losing your investment if it washes off in rough weather etc.  That float won't float the trap....  Even our prowler 15's are loaded pretty full with two traps, crab bait and a bucket to hold your catch in.  You can always haul the traps collapsed and assemble/disassemble them at your crab spot.

Still gotta watch your huevos with a full trap on board.  I'm still learning how to manipulate the full traps on deck 

Islander, the Danielson and similar collapsing traps are great for the kayak.  If your prowler has scuppers in the livewell, make yourself a PVC 'H' that sticks down into the scuppers and upward as posts.  Drop the collapsed traps over the posts and they are secure while transporting.

Also a bsteves anchor line reel system can be adapted for crabbing.  It makes managing your lines easy.  See photo.

Also check out the Crabbing Basics video from Zee on the main NWKA page.

Thanks Demonick,

I do have a PVC H just like the one pictured and the front trap is mounted on it.  Due to the calm waters and short paddle, I decided to try transporting them open and loaded with bait etc.  I do like the line reel system, but may have to go to lower diameter leaded line to fit my 75' length.

I watched Zee's crabbing video awhile back also.  This site is such a wealth of information, and I've used it since it's first week of operation.  It's great having so many folks contribute to the knowledge base.  Next trip I may have to transport the traps folded, and we'll see how well that works.  I've bought the flat mesh bait bags for just that reason.

Going to escape the heat today and take the grandkids kayaking at Bowman Bay this afternoon.

Tight lines,
Gary