Well now, let me tell ya about crabbing in Siletz Bay. It ain’t no fancy business, but if you’re lookin’ for a good ol’ time, that place is the spot. It’s out there in Lincoln City, off the coast of Oregon. Ya got your Siletz Bay, and it’s got everything you need to catch them crabs. I’m talkin’ about the real good ones too, the kind you see in those fancy restaurants, but you’re gonna catch ‘em yourself!
First things first, you gotta know where to start. Most folks start right at the Hwy 101 bridge, you know, just east of where that road hits Hwy 229. There’s a channel that runs from the bridge out to the ocean. This here’s where the crabs hang out. Now, I ain’t saying they’re just sittin’ around waiting for ya to come by and scoop ’em up, but they sure do like that spot. You gotta drop your traps right in there, make sure they’re low enough where the crabs like to crawl around. Ya know, deep water’s best. No good putting your pots where the water’s too shallow, them crabs don’t like to come up that high.
Now, about the best time to go crabbing, well, it ain’t too tricky. You wanna go after low tide, but not right at it. I’d say a few hours after low tide is when them crabs start gettin’ more active. See, the currents slow down a bit, and that makes it easier to get your traps in the water without all that fuss. If ya go too soon, the crabs ain’t movin’ around much, and you might end up just sittin’ there waitin’ for nothin’. So, a few hours after low tide, that’s the sweet spot!
Where to set up your crabbing gear:
- Right by the Hwy 101 bridge, there’s a nice channel.
- Make sure to go for the deeper waters – that’s where the crabs are.
- Check the tides – the best time is a few hours after low tide.
Now, some folks go out in boats, others just stick to the shore. If you got a boat, that opens up more spots for ya, but it ain’t necessary if you’re just gonna sit by the edge and drop a line or two. You could even catch crabs just off the shore if you got the patience. If you’re the boatin’ type, though, don’t be surprised if you have to ride a good ways out to find them crabbing holes. Siletz Bay’s a big place, and the crabs like to spread out a bit. But once you get to the right spot, you’re golden.
And don’t forget, there’s all kinds of crabs in these waters. Sure, you got your big ol’ Dungeness crabs, but there’s also them little red rock crabs too. Some people say them rock crabs ain’t worth the time, but I tell ya, if you’re hungry enough, any crab will do. Just make sure you follow the rules—ain’t no point in gettin’ caught with too many or too small, or you might end up with a fine.
Other things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you know the limits for how many crabs you can keep.
- Size matters – don’t be takin’ the little ones, they gotta grow up.
- Don’t forget your gear – get the right traps and bait.
If ya don’t have your own gear, don’t worry. There’s plenty of places around that’ll rent you everything you need – from the traps to the boat, to the bait. Some even got them fancy instructions if you’re new to crabbing, so you won’t go messin’ things up. But really, it’s not that complicated. Ya just put your traps in, wait a while, and pull ‘em up. If you’ve done it right, you’ll find yourself with a good haul.
What else? Oh, the weather. It’s Oregon, so you know it can get a bit wet. Sometimes even downright rainy, but if you can handle the mist, it’s worth it. Just bundle up, bring yourself a good coat, and you’ll be fine. The crabs don’t mind a bit of rain, and neither should ya.
All in all, crabbing in Siletz Bay is one of them things you gotta try. Ain’t no fancy tourist trap, just good old-fashioned crabbing fun. The kind of thing where you can get a little dirty, enjoy the ocean breeze, and maybe even get yourself a nice crab dinner. So grab your gear, head on down, and give it a go! You might just end up with a boat full of crabs and a smile on your face.
Tags：[crabbing, Siletz Bay, Dungeness crab, Oregon crabbing, Lincoln City crabbing, crab fishing, Siletz Bay crabbing, recreational crabbing]
