Well now, if you ever find yourself wanderin’ around Cannon Beach, Oregon, and thinkin’ about doin’ a bit of crabbing, I reckon you’re in for a real treat. It ain’t just about throwin’ a line in the water and hopin’ for the best. Nope, crabbing here is a whole lot more fun than that. You get to be out in the fresh air, enjoyin’ the ocean breeze, and if you’re lucky, catch yourself a mess of them tasty Dungeness crabs.
Now, first things first, before you even think about headin’ out to try your luck, you gotta get yourself a shellfish license. They ain’t just handin’ them out for free, you know. Anybody 12 years or older needs one, and you can grab one at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) office, or just pop by one of them local hardware stores. It ain’t hard to get, just takes a little bit of effort. And trust me, it’s worth it, ‘cause without that license, you ain’t gonna be doin’ no crabbing!
When it comes to the best time to go crabbing, well, let me tell ya, the months from September to December are what you’re wantin’. That’s when them crabs are fattest and tastiest. You can crab all year ‘round, sure, but between them months, the crabs are at their best. If you get yourself out there during them times, you’re gonna have a much better chance of catchin’ a good haul. Not to mention, it’s nice and cool out by the coast, so you won’t be sweatin’ buckets like in the middle of summer.
Now, there’s a bunch of ways to go about crabbing, but the easiest for folks who ain’t real familiar with it is usin’ one of them castable crab traps. It’s simple enough, just throw it in the water and wait. You don’t have to be sittin’ there all day with your pole, just let it do the work for ya. And don’t worry, you can get yourself one of them traps online or in local shops. I reckon it’s a good investment if you’re plannin’ on doin’ more than just one day of crabbing.
One place I gotta mention is Siletz Bay. It’s a nice spot for crabbing, with lots of room for you to get set up and give it a go. I’ve had good luck there myself, and I hear other folks say the same. You’ll wanna go early in the morning, though, when the tide’s just right. Crabs tend to be more active then, so your chances of a good catch go up.
And you know, even if you don’t catch a single crab, it’s still a good time. You get to sit by the water, watch the waves roll in, and just enjoy the whole experience. Crabbing isn’t all about what you bring home, it’s about that peaceful time you spend out there with nature. But, of course, it’s always a little sweeter when you do manage to catch something, right?
Now, I know some folks like to go to Tillamook Bay for crabbing, too. It’s another popular spot along the Oregon coast. I’ve heard it’s real good, but I reckon it’s all up to personal taste. You might find a better spot right near Cannon Beach itself. There’s plenty of places to go if you’re willin’ to explore.
So, here’s a little rundown if you wanna make the most of your crabbing trip:
- Get your license first – you don’t want no trouble with the law.
- Best time to go – September to December. That’s when you’ll have the best luck.
- Use a castable crab trap – it makes things easy, especially if you’re not a pro at crabbing.
- Pick the right spot – Siletz Bay’s good, but Tillamook Bay’s another choice. Or maybe just around Cannon Beach!
- Patience is key – sometimes it takes a while, but the crabs will come.
And finally, don’t forget to bring something to cook them crabs in! Once you catch ’em, you gotta eat ’em, right? A nice crab boil with some butter, corn, and potatoes is always a hit. Or maybe just a good old-fashioned crab sandwich. Ain’t nothin’ better than enjoyin’ your catch right there by the beach.
So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just tryin’ it out for the first time, crabbing at Cannon Beach is a fun way to spend your day. All you need is a little patience, a trap, and maybe a little luck, and you’ll be bringin’ home some fresh crabs in no time. Enjoy the ocean, and good luck out there!
Tags：[Cannon Beach crabbing, Oregon crabbing, Dungeness crab, crabbing traps, Oregon fishing, Siletz Bay crabbing, Tillamook Bay crabbing, best crabbing spots Oregon]
