Alright, let’s talk about catchin’ crabs, you know, the kind you eat, not the ones that pinch your toes, though them too, I guess. Down in Newport, they got plenty of them crawly critters, so if you’re hankerin’ for some crab, that’s the place to be.
Now, I ain’t no fancy fisherman, but I know a thing or two about gettin’ me some dinner from the sea. Folks say Newport’s got some good spots, real good. Like that South Beach place, and that Yaquina Bay, lots of folks go there. You wanna know where the crabs are bitin’, you go ask them fellas at the fishin’ shops, or that ODFW place, they know their stuff.
Best time to go crabbin’? Well, early in the mornin’s good, ‘fore the sun gets too high. Them crabs, they don’t like the sun beatin’ down on ’em, so they go hide somewheres. If you’re usin’ them traps, time ain’t as important, but you still wanna go when the tide’s comin’ in. That’s when them crabs are movin’ around, lookin’ for somethin’ to eat.
But you know what they say, any time’s a good time to go crabbin’. Heck, even a bad day crabbin’ is better than a good day workin’. You get to be outside, breathin’ in that salty air, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll catch yourself a big ol’ crab. And if you don’t, well, you still had a nice day out, ain’t that right?
Now, they got this one crab they call Dungeness, big fella, lots of meat on him. That’s the one they sell in the markets, the one that brings in the money for Newport and all them folks along the coast. They say it’s the most important crab around here, and I believe it. I’ve seen them things, they’re somethin’ else.
- First thing’s first, you gotta have the right gear. You need a crab pot, some bait, and a rope to pull it all up. You can buy all that stuff at the fishin’ stores, they’ll set you right.
- Second, you gotta find a good spot. Like I said, South Beach and Yaquina Bay are popular, but there are other places too. Just ask around, folks are usually happy to share their secrets, especially if you promise ’em a bite of your crab later.
- Third, you gotta be patient. Crabbin’ ain’t like goin’ to the store and buyin’ a crab. You gotta wait for them crabs to come to you. Sometimes it takes a while, sometimes it don’t. That’s just the way it is.
- Fourth, you gotta know the rules. There are limits on how many crabs you can keep, and what size they gotta be. You don’t wanna get caught with undersized crabs, that’ll get you in trouble. So, make sure you know the regulations before you go.
Oh, and they talk about Bodega Bay up north in California too. Said it’s another good spot for crabbin’. Lots of different kinds of crabs there too. But Newport’s good enough for me. Closer to home and I know the folks here.
So, there you have it, a little somethin’ about crabbin’ in Newport. It ain’t rocket science, but it ain’t easy neither. You gotta be willin’ to put in a little effort, but if you do, you’ll be rewarded with some mighty fine eatin’. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gettin’ hungry just thinkin’ about it. Maybe I’ll go grab myself a crab sandwich.
And one last thing, if you ain’t sure about somethin’, just ask. Don’t be shy. Most folks are happy to help out a newcomer, specially if they see you’re tryin’ to learn. And remember, have fun! That’s what it’s all about.
If you’re lookin’ to book a fishin’ trip, you can do that online now too. Easy peasy. Just search for Newport fishin’ charters and you’ll find plenty of options. They got reviews and all that fancy stuff, so you can pick the one that suits you best. But me? I like to keep it simple. Just me, my pot, and the sea.
Tags：[Crabbing, Newport, Oregon Coast, Dungeness Crab, Fishing, Seafood, Yaquina Bay, South Beach, Outdoor Activities, Travel Tips]
