Well, I’ll tell ya, this Camano Island, it’s somethin’ else when it comes to crabbin’. Folks say it’s famous for them Dungeness crabs, and let me tell you, they ain’t lyin’. Big ol’ things, they are. Makes your mouth water just thinkin’ about ’em.
Now, if you’re thinkin’ ’bout tryin’ your hand at catchin’ some, you gotta know a thing or two. First off, you need a crabbing license, unless you’re just a little tyke. Fifteen and older, you gotta have one, no ifs, ands, or buts. Don’t go thinkin’ you can sneak around, ’cause the game warden, he’s got eyes like a hawk.
- They say you can crab all year round on the coast, but there’s rules, you know? Like them pot things, they gotta take a break sometimes, so the little crabs don’t get squished. September, October, November, somethin’ like that.
- But don’t you fret, you can still use them snare things and them foldable traps. Or them ring nets, the ones that lay flat on the bottom. Those work just fine.
Best time to go? Well, early mornin’, that’s when the gettin’s good. Them crabs, they don’t like the sun much, so they scurry off when it gets bright. If you’re usin’ traps, well, time ain’t so important, but you gotta pay attention to the tide. Incoming tide, that’s the ticket. That’s when them crabs are movin’ and lookin’ for grub.
Now, where to go? That’s the million-dollar question, ain’t it? There’s a bunch of places, so many I can’t keep ’em all straight. Heard tell of Howarth Park, that’s a good one. And Marina Beach Park, too. Then there’s that South Whidbey Harbor over in Langley, and Double Bluff Beach. Fort Ebey State Park, they say that’s good too.
But let me tell you, it ain’t always easy. Sometimes you go out there and you don’t catch nothin’ but seaweed and a few grumpy starfish. Other times, you pull up a pot and it’s crawlin’ with them big fellas. That’s the fun of it, I guess. Never know what you’re gonna get.
And you gotta be careful, you know? Them crabs, they got pinchers, and they ain’t afraid to use ’em. I seen a fella get his finger caught once, and let me tell you, he was hollerin’ louder than a stuck pig. So you gotta watch yourself.
But when you finally get a pot full of them Dungeness crabs, and you bring ’em home and cook ’em up, oh boy, it’s worth it. Nothin’ better than fresh crab, dipped in a little butter. Makes your belly happy and your heart sing.
So if you’re ever on Camano Island and you’re lookin’ for somethin’ to do, give crabbin’ a try. It’s a good way to spend a day, and who knows, you might just catch yourself a feast. Just remember what I told ya, and you’ll be alright.
Tags：[Camano Island, Dungeness Crab, Crabbing, Washington, Crabbing License, Crabbing Season, Howarth Park, Marina Beach Park, South Whidbey Harbor, Double Bluff Beach, Fort Ebey State Park, Crabbing Tips]
