Well, if you ever find yourself down around Oregon, you might wanna think about doin’ some crabbing out there in Netarts Bay. Now, I ain’t no expert, but I’ve seen enough folks head out there with their nets and buckets, and let me tell ya, they ain’t comin’ back empty-handed, that’s for sure! This here bay’s got all the right stuff for crabbing, though there’s a couple things you gotta know before you go out there and make a mess of it.
Now, first thing ya gotta understand is that Netarts Bay ain’t just one place. It’s a big ol’ area, and there’s a few spots you can get to. You can either take yourself a little boat or just walk in from the bank. It don’t matter much, but you gotta know that some of the ground is rocky, so you’ll want somethin’ heavy duty like a garden fork to help you out. Trust me, it works better than trying to grab those crabs with your bare hands!
Once you’re out there, you’re gonna need the right equipment. Most folks use crabbing rings, and that’s what I recommend too. You can get these baited rings to help draw in the crabs, and they work real good, especially when the water’s deep like it is in parts of the bay. Now, don’t go thinkin’ this is a walk in the park. If you ain’t careful, you might end up with your hands full of sand instead of crabs! You gotta be patient, and don’t rush it.
What’s Best for Crabbing?
- Most people find crabbing rings work best because of the crowding and how shallow the water is.
- When you’re crabbing in the bay, you’ll mostly be in water that’s less than 15 feet deep, though some spots can go down to 25 feet.
- The time of year matters too. Fall, around September, is usually the best time to crab. That’s when the crabs are all filled out and ready to be caught!
So, when do you head out there? Well, it’s best in the fall when the crabs are at their fattest. In the summertime, you might get smaller crabs, and they don’t fill up as good. But don’t you worry, Netarts Bay will always have something for ya. Just make sure to go when the crabs are more “filled out,” if you get my drift.
Now, I’ve seen folks try crabbing in the shallow estuaries or ones with fresh water mixin’ in. Some say these spots work well when it’s late summer or early winter. But I always say, go when the water’s right and you ain’t trippin’ over rocks and mud. Ain’t no fun catchin’ crabs when you’re too busy watching your feet, right?
Oh, and don’t forget to bring your ice and a bucket, ’cause you’re gonna need ‘em once you start catchin’ crabs. If you got a dozen or more, you might need to cook ’em up right away, and trust me, crabs are best when they’re nice and fresh! Some folks even cook ’em right out there on the beach—just gotta be safe and have the right equipment. Don’t go tryin’ no fancy cookin’ without knowin’ what you’re doin’!
Before I forget, you might wanna plan your trip in advance, especially if you’re headin’ to Oregon during peak crabbing season. It gets crowded around there, and you don’t wanna show up with no spot to fish, especially if you’re new to the area. You can check out some online resources or talk to locals to see what’s up. There’s always someone around who’s ready to share their crabbing tips!
So, if you’re itchin’ for a crabbing adventure, just make sure you’re prepped. Get your rings, bring your ice, know the best time to go, and be ready for some good ol’ fashion crabbing fun down at Netarts Bay!
Tags:[crabbing, Netarts Bay, Oregon crabbing, fall crabbing, crabbing rings, crabbing season, Oregon coast, fishing tips, crab fishing, crabbing advice]