Winter Crab Season? Any Idea if and When?

[Dave]

Has anyone heard if and when crabbing is going to reopen for a winter season? Curious to know how long it takes for Fish and Wildlife to review the summer catch record cards we all turned in or reported on line? I realize crabbing may still be open in some areas. I crab 8-1 and 8-2 so I guess my question stems from these two areas being closed at the moment. I’m ready to eat some winter Dungeness which in my opinion taste better than when harvested any other time of year. Anyway, good luck on the water. Thanks for the response.

[shawn]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crabre ... ndex.shtmlI hope this helps .

[A9]

Usually 8-1 and 8-2 don't open back up. But yea ccheck the regs and see...

[gpc]

I go crabbing a lot but only in 2 areas usually. I crab the most in area 11 and do not know of any winter season. Then I crab a lot in area 2 (westport mostly) and they are opened all year round. But I crabbed there last February and it was horrible. Between 4 pots and 3 days we only walked away with 1 crab. But the crab was HUGE at least 8.5". But on most pulls the pots were completly empty. We wernt the only ones to have a bad time crabbing either. Also the fishing was terrible as well. So I guess westport might just be a bad place all around when it comes to crabbing/fishing in February.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

I go crabbing a lot but only in 2 areas usually. I crab the most in area 11 and do not know of any winter season. Then I crab a lot in area 2 (westport mostly) and they are opened all year round. But I crabbed there last February and it was horrible. Between 4 pots and 3 days we only walked away with 1 crab. But the crab was HUGE at least 8.5". But on most pulls the pots were completly empty. We wernt the only ones to have a bad time crabbing either. Also the fishing was terrible as well. So I guess westport might just be a bad place all around when it comes to crabbing/fishing in February.

Westport is a great year-round fishing spot--ya just have to know what type of species to target and when/where. For February, its mostly surf perch and jigging for herring in the basin.

[Easy Limits]

Area 13 is open.

[Dave]

I just checked the WDFW regs and there it was; they advise that by Oct 28th they will have the count done. Areas re-opening for a "winter" season will be announced the first week of November. I use the WDFW site often for updates, news, ECT but I had not seen the info I saw there today. I also acknowledge that areas 8-1 and 8-2 usually don't re-open for a winter fishery but one can hope. I have tried crabbing in other open areas during the 8-1 & 8-2 off season but have had no luck. If you don't know where to put your pots, it makes things a bit more difficult. As some of you know, I was at Westport 2 weeks ago. There were folks crabbing off the public float (20) but the crab were undersize. I think the marina there is likely over fished making it difficult to find a limit of crab. That is just my guess and I am sure many have gone there and limited. It was just slow when I was there according to several who were pulling pots. Anyway, thanks to all. Dave.

[Dave]

Seems like area 9 is open in the winter though closed at the moment. Anyone willing to share a good spot to soak pots in area 9 once it re-opens would be appreciated. This is where I have tried crabbing when the area close to home is closed but as I mentioned above, I have had no luck. Would love to know where to put some pots in nine. Thanks.

[Kenster]

http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/relea ... d=oct2607a

Looks like alot of Puget sound will open on Nov. 1st!!

how do you get the winter catch cards?

[A9]

Wooohoooo can't wait to drop some pots!!!!

[Dave]

Winter and summer catch cards for crab come with the shellfish license. Jeff, if you are willing, I would love to know where I can drop a pot or two in area 9, in the event that 8-1 and 8-2 stay closed. I want to crab in 9 but I haven't a clue where to put pots. I tried area 9 last year but no luck as we spent the day guessing where to put the pots. Without knowing where to put them it's kinda a waste of time. Area 9 is a ways from my home but I am willing to make the drive to catch some winter Dungeness if I know where to fish for them. Thanks.....

[Dave]

Kenster, Thanks for the WDFW update. Last week I read a news article on the WDFW site that said they would have the summer crab catch count done by 10-28 and they would announce openings the first week of November so I have been waiting to hear what areas would be re-opened. Great news for me in area 8-1. Ill be out there every one of those days to crab unless the weather is too dangerous to go out. It will be nice to enjoy some winter Dungeness at Thanks Giving. Ye Haaaaaa! Thanks again. Dave

[fisherhall]

The WDFW just posted on their website what areas will be open.

[A9]

Dave, How is Area 9 a ways from your home if your on Island county?

Shoot me a private message and I'll try and help you out with some spots to drop some pots...