Now, if y’all ever find yourselves up there in Astoria, Oregon, and you feel like tryin’ somethin’ fun, you oughta go crabbing. It’s somethin’ real special, and you don’t need to be a fancy fisherman to do it. All ya need is a little patience, some good bait, and maybe a crab trap or two, and you’re all set. Trust me, it’s worth it. The water’s clean, and there’s plenty of them Dungeness crabs just waitin’ for you.
First things first, you need to know where to go. I ain’t talkin’ about fancy places where you need a fancy boat to get to. Nah, I’m talkin’ about the public piers and docks, just like the ones we see in the little towns. The best spot to start is around the Columbia River Estuary. That’s where the river meets the big ol’ Pacific Ocean, right near Astoria. It’s a big area, so you got plenty of room to work with, and it’s perfect for crabbing. You can find a good spot to set up your trap without much fuss.
And if you don’t feel like hauling a big ol’ trap, well, there’s charters that’ll take you out on the water. I hear folks go out with them Astoria Fishing Charters, and they got everything ready for ya—crab pots, bait, the works. They’ll show ya where to go and how to pull them crabs in. If you don’t know what you’re doin’, that’s fine too. These folks make it easy. Some folks say it’s the best way to catch crabs without breakin’ a sweat.
Now, let’s talk about when you should go crabbing. The best time is right around fall, from September all the way through December. That’s when them crabs are in the right mood to bite. So if you head up there in the fall, you’re in for a real treat. You can catch yourself a whole mess of crabs and have a feast at the end of the day.
Another thing to think about is the kind of crabs you’re lookin’ for. Dungeness crabs are the most common ones folks catch up there, and let me tell ya, they’re good eatin’. You can catch ’em in the traps, or you can go diggin’ along the shore if you’re feelin’ adventurous. They taste sweet and tender, and they’re perfect for a big ol’ crab boil, just like the ones we have back home when we get together for a family gathering.
If you want to get fancy, you can try some of the crab shacks around Astoria. I hear Hanthorn Crab Company and Northwest Wild Products got some of the freshest crabs you’ll find. You can buy ’em right off the dock or get ’em cooked up for ya if you don’t feel like doin’ the work yourself. I reckon you won’t be disappointed, that’s for sure.
Now, some of y’all might be wonderin’ how much it costs to go crabbing. Well, it depends. If you’re just usin’ a simple trap and doin’ it yourself, it’s pretty cheap. You can get the supplies for a decent price at local shops in Astoria. If you want to go out on a charter, it’ll cost ya a bit more, but like I said, it’s worth it if you don’t wanna hassle with the traps yourself. Either way, crabbing in Astoria’s somethin’ everyone should try at least once.
And don’t forget, there’s other places in Oregon where folks go crabbing too. Coos Bay is another big spot, and it’s one of the biggest estuaries on the Oregon coast. You got the South Slough area down there, and it’s good crabbing territory. Florence is another place folks go for crabbing, with the Siuslaw River and some public docks you can use to set your traps. Lots of places to choose from, so you don’t have to stick just to Astoria.
But, let’s be honest, Astoria’s got somethin’ special. It’s a peaceful place to be, and the crabbing’s top-notch. Plus, you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery while you wait for them crabs to bite. Ain’t no hurry. Just sit back, relax, and let the ocean do its work. It’s a nice way to spend a day.
So, if you’re ever up there, give crabbing a try. It’s a fun way to spend your time, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best seafood around. Can’t go wrong with that, can ya?
Tags：[crabbing, Astoria Oregon, Dungeness crabs, crabbing charters, Columbia River Estuary, Oregon crabbing, fishing in Astoria, seafood, Oregon coast crabbing, crab fishing]
