Well, let me tell ya, if ya ever find yourself down in Santa Cruz, and you like fishin’, especially crabbin’, then you’re in for a real treat, I swear! They got them crabs all over the place, and not just any crabs—no, these here are the best ones you could ever catch. I ain’t no fancy expert, but I know a good fishin’ spot when I see one, and Santa Cruz is one of ‘em.
Now, I know most folks might think of beachin’ it or walkin’ around town, but lemme tell ya, crabbin’ is where it’s at! They got somethin’ called Dungeness crabs—big ol’ fellas too, with shells all hard and a taste that’ll make ya slap your knee. They’re around most of the year, so if you go at the right time, you can be pullin’ ‘em out of the water one after another.
Where to go? Well, that’s the million-dollar question. Now, there’s a bunch of folks runnin’ charters, and I ain’t just talkin’ any kind of boat. I’m talkin’ ’bout them fancy boats that take ya right out where the crabs are hidin’. And believe me, it’s a real deal. You can get a spot on a Santa Cruz fishing charter, and they’ll show ya the ropes, help ya bait your traps, and even tell ya stories about all the big ones they caught. Now don’t go thinkin’ it’s all smooth sailin’ though. The ocean’s got a way of humblin’ you, but that’s what makes it fun!
Let me tell ya a little story. One time, my friend JT, he runs a charter called Go Fish, took me out on this boat called Miss Beth. I’m tellin’ ya, we didn’t even get out there for more than an hour, and already we had some crabs in the trap. Oh, it was a real good time. I thought I was gonna fall overboard with excitement! JT knows where to go, that’s for sure. He had us pullin’ up crabs left and right.
What’s the best time for crabbin’? Well, don’t go askin’ anyone ‘cause I ain’t no expert on calendars and all that, but here’s what I know: crabs are real busy durin’ their season, which usually starts in November and goes through the spring. You gotta catch ’em when they’re out and about, crawlin’ on the bottom of the ocean. In Santa Cruz, them crabs like to hide in the rocks, so it’s best to go with a charter that knows where to drop them traps. You can get ’em fresh, and there’s nothin’ like fresh crab, I tell ya!
How do you catch them crabs? Well, it’s a bit of work, but I reckon it’s worth it. First, you need one of them traps—big ol’ wire things with food inside to tempt the crabs. You drop it in the water, and then you wait. Now, I ain’t the patient type, but you gotta be! You let it sit there a while, then pull it up and check what ya got. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a bunch of them crabs sittin’ in there, ready to be grabbed! Sometimes, ya gotta be quick, ‘cause them crabs’ll scamper outta there faster than you can blink!
Now, when you’re out there, you got to keep a good eye on them traps. Ain’t no sense in gettin’ lazy. Pull ‘em up regularly, check your bait, and make sure you’re stayin’ on top of it. Some folks, they like to throw a little sanddab in there—crabs seem to like that. And the beauty of it all is, you get to take ‘em home, cook ‘em up, and enjoy a nice meal. Ain’t nothin’ better than some fresh crab after a hard day of fishin’.
Where to book a trip? If you’re lookin’ to get out on a charter, well, there’s plenty of places to book. A lot of folks go online nowadays. You can find all kinds of deals, and some even got that free cancellation thing, in case the weather’s no good. And don’t go worryin’ about tickets or anything fancy, you can book it all right from your phone or computer. You might even find a good price if you keep your eyes peeled.
Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or just someone lookin’ for a new adventure, Santa Cruz crabbin’ is somethin’ you don’t want to miss. It’s a real treat, I promise ya. So, pack up your gear, book that charter, and head on out. Them crabs aren’t gonna catch themselves, after all!
Tags：[Santa Cruz, crab fishing, Dungeness crabs, Santa Cruz fishing charter, fishing trip, crab traps, crab season, Go Fish charters, Miss Beth, fishing adventures]
