You know, when you talk about crabbing in Hood Canal, you’re talkin’ ’bout somethin’ real special. Every year, folks start gettin’ ready for the crabbing season, and let me tell ya, it’s a big deal ’round here. The best time to catch them crabs is usually from late spring all the way into early summer, and then, when the fall comes, there’s a second chance at it. But don’t get too excited too soon, cause the rules, they change a bit from year to year.
Now, don’t you go thinkin’ that crabbing’s just a summer thing—no sir! Around these parts, we can go crabbing year-round, though it ain’t always the same everywhere. There’s different seasons and regulations depending on the spot. You see, they close up some areas for a bit during September and October, but that’s just so the crabs can get a little break and keep their numbers up. We don’t want to go takin’ too many, or the crabs will disappear for good, and that’d be a real shame, wouldn’t it?
If you’re out here in the Hood Canal area, you got to pay attention to where you’re fishin’. There’s this part down south of Ayock Point, in Marine Area 12, that stays closed for the winter. It’s part of the plan to protect the crabs, so even though it’s a real good spot, you gotta wait ‘til the season opens up again. They do it for conservation, so we can have crabs to catch year after year. They also got some rules in other parts of the Puget Sound, but Hood Canal’s got its own set of regulations to make sure the crabs don’t get overfished.
When the season does open up, around July 1st, that’s when folks get real serious. You can go crabbing with pots, and some places even let you use traps, but you best be ready to follow the rules. There’s limits to how many crabs you can keep, and you gotta make sure you only take the big ones. Ain’t no use in taking the little ones, cause they won’t be big enough to lay eggs yet. That’s how we keep the crabs comin’ back, year after year.
Now, let me tell ya, crabbing in Hood Canal can bring in a real good haul. I’ve seen folks come back with buckets full of big, fat crabs, and they sure do make for a fine meal. You get yourself some crab legs, a little butter, and maybe a squeeze of lemon—now that’s a treat, I tell ya!
But it’s not just the crabbing that’s fun, it’s the whole experience. Whether you’re out there in a boat, or just sitting on the dock with your lines in the water, there’s somethin’ about it that makes the whole day feel right. It’s peaceful out there, the water’s calm, and you can hear the birds singin’. It’s like the world slows down for a bit, and you forget about the hustle and bustle of life. You’re just focused on catchin’ them crabs and enjoyin’ the beauty around ya.
So if you’re thinking about gettin’ into crabbing in Hood Canal, you best start gettin’ ready. Make sure you got all the right gear, and don’t forget to check the regulations, cause they can change from year to year. You don’t wanna get caught breakin’ any rules, cause that’ll put a damper on your crabbing fun. But once you got it all figured out, you’ll have a good time, and maybe even bring home a nice mess of crabs for dinner. Now, that’s what I call a good day!
- Best time to crab: Late spring to early summer, and then late summer to early fall.
- When to avoid: Some areas close in September and October for conservation.
- Closed areas: Marine Area 12 south of Ayock Point remains closed in winter.
- Opening season: Crabbing season starts July 1st in many areas.
- Crabbing gear: Pots and traps are commonly used, with limits on the number of crabs you can keep.
Just remember, crabbing ain’t just about catchin’ crabs, it’s about enjoyin’ the whole experience. And when you come home with a full bucket, you can’t help but feel proud. Whether you’re crabbing for the first time, or you’ve been at it for years, there’s always somethin’ new to learn. So get out there, and happy crabbing!
Tags：[Hood Canal Crabbing, Puget Sound Crabbing, Hood Canal Season, Crabbing Tips, Crabbing in Washington, Crab Fishing Season]
