Alright, let’s talk about crabbing in Newport, Oregon, you know, the kind where you get them tasty critters from the sea.
First off, you gotta know when to go. Them crabs, they ain’t always fat and juicy. Folks say the best time is from September to winter. Yeah, that’s when they’re full of meat, not all skinny and sad-lookin’. Don’t go in the summer, they say, the crabs ain’t got nothin’ in ’em then. Just a bunch of shell and water, like a bad joke.
Now, where to go? Well, Newport’s got plenty of spots, that’s for sure. Ya got the bay, ya got the piers, ya got boats you can rent. I ain’t got no boat, so I stick to the shore. Plenty of crabs there, if you know where to look. Heard tell there’s this place called Yaquina Bay, real popular. Lots of folks go there. And them piers, they’re good too. Just gotta find a spot where them crabs like to hang out.
- Yaquina Bay: Lots of folks like it there. Can get crowded though.
- Piers: Easy to get to, good for folks without a boat.
- Renting a boat: If you got the money and know-how, this is the way to go. More crabs out there in the deep water, they say.
Okay, so you got your time and your place. Now you need your gear. Ain’t nothin’ fancy, mind you. You need a crab pot or a ring, some bait, and a bucket to put ’em in. And a license, don’t forget that! Them fish and game folks, they don’t mess around. You get caught without a license, they’ll fine you good. And a measuring thingy, to make sure them crabs are big enough to keep. Gotta throw the little ones back, let ’em grow up.
For bait, I use chicken. Yeah, chicken. Them crabs love it. Some folks use fish heads or clams, but chicken works just fine for me. Just tie it good to the pot or ring, so them crabs can’t steal it and run off. Smart little buggers, they are.
Now, the important part: catchin’ them crabs. You throw your pot or ring into the water, wait a bit, then pull it up. Sometimes you get nothin’, sometimes you get a whole bunch. It’s like a lottery, you never know what you’re gonna get. But when you pull up a pot full of big, fat crabs, well, that’s a good feelin’, let me tell ya.
But you gotta be careful, them crabs got claws, and they pinch hard! Wear gloves if you can, and watch your fingers. I got pinched once, and it hurt like the dickens. Learned my lesson that day, I did.
Once you got your crabs, you gotta cook ’em. Boil ’em in a big pot of water, that’s the way to do it. Some folks add salt, some folks add spices. Me, I just use water. Ain’t nothin’ fancy, but it gets the job done. Cook ’em till they turn red, that’s how you know they’re done. Then you gotta clean ’em, get all that gunk out. It’s messy work, but it’s worth it.
And then, the best part: eatin’ ’em! Crack ’em open, get that sweet meat out. Dip it in butter, maybe some lemon juice. Nothin’ better than fresh crab, I tell ya. Makes all that work worthwhile. It ain’t easy, this crabbin’ business, but it’s honest work, and it puts food on the table.
Now, remember what I told you. Go at the right time, find a good spot, use the right gear, and be careful. And don’t forget your license! And for goodness sake, throw back them small crabs! They need to grow. And don’t go making a mess everywhere, clean up after yourself. We gotta keep these waters clean, so there’s crabs for everyone to catch.
So, there you have it. That’s all I know about crabbing in Newport, Oregon. It ain’t rocket science, but it ain’t easy neither. Just takes a little patience, a little luck, and a whole lot of elbow grease. Now go on, get out there and catch yourself some crabs!
Tags: [Newport Oregon, Crabbing, Oregon Coast, Seafood, Yaquina Bay, Crabbing Tips, Fishing, Pacific Northwest]
