Crab Fishing?

[ejp]

Does anyone know where I can get info on crab fishing?
I wanted to drive out to the peninsula and give it a go.
I tried it last month in oregon and had a blast.

Any spots or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
I heard there might even be some close spots to Seattle to give it a try.
Thank you,

[Dave]

I thought I would reply to your post because crab fishing in Puget Sound needs to be talked about. For the last 10 years crabbing in the sound has been amazing. Last year the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife decided to allow the tribal fishermen to crab a month before the season opens to the public. The result? The worst crabbing I have ever experienced in 30 years. Basically the tribes fish for crab in Puget Sound waters, take nearly every male keeper off the sea floor, then the season opens for us sport crabbers who just want to enjoy a few crab with our families. Because the crab are taken before the season opens to the public, trying to get a limit of male keepers takes several hours compared to years past where it took about 1 hour to get several limits which is how it’s always been until last year. As for where you can go to get some crab in Washington? I would try the San Juan Island area which is off the Anacortes / Bellingham shorelines in northwest WA. I don’t believe the tribes fish that area. I am sure there are still good areas to crab, I am positive areas 8-1 and 8-1 are not good areas anymore. Good luck.

[The Quadfather]

I am dropping in the pots tonight (of course not to be picked up until Wed.) I go almost anywhere in the sound, but just because I live in Ballard, I go right out of Shilshoe (sp?) You know.......golden gardens. I can leave the pots down 30 minutes and do just fine. More like 6-7 crabs per pull up, and then of that I probably will have one keeper. But mix in some bottom fishing between pull ups and you will leave with 3 or 4. To me that is a good time. How much can you eat anyway.

[The Quadfather]

Actually, if you look at my avitar, that is what I do between pull ups.

[gpc]

Any pier will work fine. You are allowed to crab until September sometime and then it closes until july 4th. You are only allowed to crab from wed - sun. In my opinion dungeness are the best tasting, but there are only big females in the Puget sound at least around des moines, or the ones I have caught. I have caught one keeper male no little dungees and a whole bunch of HUGE females. But there are enough red rock and graceful for everyone. But the crabs in the sound dont taste half as good as the crab from westport. But to name a few piers for you, there is des miones redondoe and dash point

[ejp]

Thanks,
I got a camping reservation at fort flagler - anyone ever crabbed off the shore there?