Alright, listen up, y’all. Let’s talk about crabbin’ in Newport, or whatever they call it, this “newport crabbing report” thing. I ain’t no fancy writer, but I know a thing or two about catchin’ crabs, so pay attention.
First off, when’s the best time to go? Well, them city folks say September to winter is good, somethin’ about the crabs gettin’ fatter then. Makes sense, I guess. But honestly, you can find crabs pretty much anytime, just gotta know where to look. Early mornin’ is best, before the sun gets too high. Them crabs, they don’t like the sun much. If you’re usin’ them trap thingamajigs, the time don’t matter so much, but high tide’s usually better, when the water’s movin’ in.
Now, where to go? They say you can crab anywhere on the Oregon coast, bays, beaches, piers, them jetty things. I ain’t been everywhere, but I know a few good spots. Ya just gotta look around and see where other folks are crabbin’, usually a good sign. Sometimes the best spots are the ones nobody tells ya about, ya know? Gotta do some explorin’ yourself.
- Bays: Lots of crabs in the bays, but you might need a boat. Ain’t got a boat? Well, find a pier or a jetty then.
- Beaches: Can catch crabs from the beach too, but ya gotta be patient. And watch out for the waves, they can be tricky.
- Piers and Jetties: Easy places to crab, especially if you don’t wanna get your feet wet. Just drop your line and wait.
What kind of gear ya need? Not much, really. A crab pot or a ring net, some bait, a bucket to put ’em in, and a license, I guess. Them city folks are always wantin’ their licenses and permits. You can rent gear in town if you don’t have your own. And don’t forget gloves, them crabs can pinch ya somethin’ fierce!
Now, about them rules. They say you can’t use certain lines, somethin’ about markin’s. I don’t know all the details, but you best check with the fish and game people before you go. Don’t wanna get in trouble with the law, even if they do make up silly rules sometimes. They like to close things down sometimes too, they just did, closed all the crabbin’, ocean and bays, but then they opened it back up again quick, probably changed their minds or somethin’, who knows.
Catchin’ crabs ain’t rocket science, y’all. Just throw your line in the water, wait a bit, and pull it up. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a crab or two. If not, try a different spot, or different bait. I like to use chicken, but some folks use fish or squid. Heck, I’ve even used hot dogs before, and they worked just fine.
Remember, the bigger crabs are the ones you wanna keep. The little ones, throw ’em back so they can grow up. And don’t keep more than you need. Be respectful of the ocean, and it’ll be good to you. This crabbin’ thing, they talk about it bein’ all official, “Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission” and the “commercial Dungeness crab industry,” sounds fancy, but it just means folks makin’ money off crabs, far as I can tell. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that, but I like catchin’ my own.
So, there ya have it. My simple guide to crabbin’ in Newport. It ain’t perfect, but it’s honest. Now get out there and catch some crabs! And remember, even a bad day of crabbin’ is better than a good day at work, that’s what they say, and I reckon they’re right.
Oh, and one last thing, they always sayin’ somethin’ about how boat crabbin’ is better. Sure, maybe you get more crabs that way, but I like keepin’ my feet on the ground, or the pier, you know? Less chance of fallin’ in the water that way.
Tags: [Newport Crabbing, Oregon Coast, Crab Season, Crabbing Tips, Best Time to Crab, Crabbing Gear, Dungeness Crab, Recreational Crabbing, Oregon Crabbing Regulations, Crabbing Locations]
