Well now, if you ever get the chance to head down to Brookings, Oregon, and you fancy a little bit of crabbing, you’re in for a real treat. Folks around here, we all know, crabbing ain’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life! You grab your traps, head down to the docks, and the next thing you know, you’re hauling in those big, juicy Dungeness crabs that make for a mighty fine dinner.
Now, let me tell ya, the best time for crabbing around Brookings is in the fall, around September. The crabs, see, they’ve finished molting by then, which means their shells have hardened up and they’ve packed on a lot more meat. That’s when you want to get out there and get your traps in the water. The season don’t last forever, though—usually it’ll start to rain heavy by the end of October, and that’s when you know it’s about time to pack up your gear for the year.
Now, if you’re wonderin’ where to go crabbing around here, well, let me tell you, the Chetco River is the spot. Brookings sits right on the coast, and that river’s got a nice estuary that crabs just love. The water’s calm, and the crabs are fattenin’ up, so you won’t be disappointed. Folks like to go out on those little boats, toss their traps in, and sit back to wait. Some folks, they even take a little stroll on the local piers around the harbor to drop a trap right off the edge. Can’t get much easier than that!
Don’t forget, though, if you’re 12 years old or older, you’re gonna need a shellfish license. You can grab one of those at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office, or even some of the local sporting goods stores will sell ’em to ya. Don’t go out there without one—ain’t worth the trouble. And make sure you know the rules, too. Oregon’s got a lot of regulations about how many crabs you can catch, what size they gotta be, and all that. You don’t want to get caught without knowin’ what’s what.
Once you got your traps in the water, just be patient. Sometimes, you might have to leave ’em for a few hours before you check ‘em, so bring along a good book or maybe a little lunch to pass the time. When you pull up those traps, you’ll want to make sure you’re lookin’ for the right size crabs. They need to be a certain width across their shells, and if they ain’t big enough, well, you gotta throw ‘em back. Ain’t no use in keepin’ the little ones.
Brookings, well, it’s not just about crabbing. The whole town’s got a real relaxed feel to it. People are friendly, the weather’s beautiful, and there’s plenty to do for folks of all ages. But crabbing, that’s the heart of it all. If you’re here, you might as well throw your traps in the water and see what you catch. Whether you’re a first-timer or an old hand at it, there’s always something special about pulling in a nice, big, meaty Dungeness crab from the ocean.
And if you’re lookin’ for some more adventure, well, you don’t gotta stop at just crabbing. The local fishing trips are popular too. There’s these half-day bottom fishing trips folks love to take. You’re out on the ocean for 5-6 hours, fishin’ along the Brookings coastline. It’s a good time, and you might just come back with a mess of fish to go with your crabs!
But no matter what, make sure to check the regulations before you head out. They change every year, and you don’t want any surprises when you get there. There’s always somethin’ to keep track of, like whether the season’s open or if there’s a closure, so be sure to get all the info you need.
To sum it all up, if you’re wantin’ to do some crabbing in Brookings, Oregon, the fall is your best bet. Get your license, drop your traps in the Chetco River or nearby piers, and take your time. The crabs are big and tasty, and the experience is somethin’ you won’t soon forget. So pack up, grab your gear, and head down to Brookings for a crabbing adventure you won’t regret!
Tags：[Brookings Oregon Crabbing, Crabbing in Oregon, Dungeness Crab, Chetco River Crabbing, Oregon Fishing, Crabbing Regulations, Best Crabbing Time, Fall Crabbing]
