Now, let me tell ya, crabbing in Brookings, Oregon, is somethin’ special. Ya wouldn’t think much of it at first, but lemme tell ya, it’s a real treat if ya know where to go. The town itself is a small place, kinda quiet, but the crabbing spots around here? Well, they’re mighty fine, I reckon. Folks come from all over to drop their traps in the water and catch them tasty crabs. If ya ain’t ever tried it, you’re missin’ out.
Best Time for Crabbing
Now, the best time to go crabbing is usually around September. That’s when the crabs done finished molting, and their shells are all hard and full of good meat. They ain’t soft no more, so you get more crab to eat. After September, ya might still get a few, but the season tends to slow down once the rains start comin’ in October. So, don’t wait too long if ya want the best catch!
Where to Go Crabbing in Brookings
If ya’re headin’ to Brookings, there’s a couple spots where the crabs like to hang out. One of the best places is the Chetco River. This river’s got good crabbing conditions, especially around the mouth where the water’s a little deeper. Ya can go down to the docks or even wade in a bit if ya got the right gear. If ya’re the adventurous type, there’s always the option to head out on a little boat. The Chetco River’s known for having a good number of crabs, especially around the estuary area.
Another spot is the Port of Brookings. They got public piers and docks where ya can drop your traps. There’s always folks out there crabbing, and it’s easy to find a spot if ya ain’t too picky. Just remember to bring your license, ’cause ya can’t crab without one, and the rules are strict ‘round these parts. License cost ain’t much, and ya can get one at local shops or right through the ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife).
Licenses and Regulations
Now, don’t forget, if ya’re over 12, ya gotta have a shellfish license. They ain’t too hard to get, but ya better make sure ya got one before ya start throwin’ your traps in the water. The license is easy to find in most sporting goods stores or hardware stores in town. And, make sure ya know the rules before ya head out – like what size crabs ya can keep, and how many ya can catch. Ain’t no use catchin’ crabs if ya gotta throw ‘em all back ‘cause they’re too small, right?
Other Crabbing Spots Nearby
If ya want a bit of variety, there’s a couple other places not too far from Brookings where ya can crab too. Coos Bay, for one, is a big spot for crabbing. It’s a little farther up the coast, but it’s worth the drive if ya wanna see something new. Newport’s also a popular place to go crabbing, especially down by the piers. But, I’ll tell ya, Brookings has got a quiet charm that makes it a real nice place to set up for a day of crabbing without the crowds.
Tips for Crabbing
- Make sure you got the right gear – a good crab trap and a line for pulling ‘em in.
- Don’t forget the bait! Chicken works real well for crabs, but if ya can get some fish, that’s even better.
- Check the tides – crabs are easier to catch when the tide’s coming in or going out.
- Bring a cooler to keep the crabs fresh once ya catch ‘em.
Ya know, crabbing can be a bit of work, but it’s all worth it when ya get them crabs on the table. And let me tell ya, nothing tastes better than a fresh Dungeness crab from the Oregon coast. So, if ya find yourself near Brookings, make sure ya set aside a day or two to try crabbing. You might just catch a mess of them critters, and then ya can head home to cook up somethin’ mighty fine. So, what are ya waitin’ for? Grab your trap and head out to the coast for some good ol’ fashioned crabbing!
Tags：[Brookings crabbing, Oregon crabbing, Chetco River crabbing, Dungeness crab, Oregon Coast crabbing, shellfish license, crabbing tips, crabbing season, Port of Brookings]
