Well now, if you ever find yourself up there near Cannon Beach, Oregon, and you ain’t never tried crabbing, you better get yourself to it! They got them big ol’ crabs that you can catch right there on the coast. Ain’t nothin’ like that fresh crab meat. Let me tell ya, it’s a real treat. Now, you don’t just walk out there and start catchin’ crabs; no, no, you gotta know the best spots and when to go.
The best time for crabbing around Cannon Beach is from September to December. I reckon that’s when the crabs are plump and ready for the pickin’. I’ve been down to Siletz Bay, not too far from Cannon Beach, and I’ve had me some good luck with them crabs there. They use these fancy things called crab hawks, but really, it’s just a castable trap you throw in the water. Works like a charm, though. You can even find them little traps on the internet if you’re lookin’ to get one yourself.
Now, if you’re lookin’ for the best spots near Cannon Beach, let me tell you a few places to try. You can head over to Brighton Marina, that place is known for good crabbing. They got the ocean right there, and if you’re lucky, you’ll pull up a big ol’ Dungeness crab. Just be sure you got a license, ’cause that’s a must. You can’t be out there catchin’ crabs without one. Folks 12 and up need a shellfish license, and you can get one at any ODFW office or a lotta the local stores that sell fishing gear.
Here’s a few good crabbing spots:
- Surf Smuggler Cove – A hidden gem if you want some peace and quiet while you fish.
- Nehalem Bay State Park – Perfect for a family trip and some crabbing fun.
- Brighton Marina – A tried-and-true place for crabbing, right there by the water.
But now, don’t go just anytime. You gotta watch the seasons, ‘cause the ocean’s closed for Dungeness crabbing from August 15th to November. After that, the crabs come back out, and that’s when you’ll want to get your traps in the water. The regulations are there for a reason, so be sure to follow ’em. They got the rules for a reason, to make sure we ain’t taking too many crabs outta the water. You don’t wanna mess with that.
Crabbing ain’t too complicated, but it sure helps if you know a thing or two about it. Once you got your trap, all you need to do is toss it in the water and wait. It ain’t no rush either. Let the trap sit for a while, and then pull it up slow. Sometimes you’ll catch one, sometimes you won’t. But when you do, it’s worth it. That crab meat is some of the best you’ll ever taste, I promise you that.
If you’re headin’ out to places like Coos Bay or Florence, they got good crabbing too. Coos Bay’s got one of the biggest estuaries along the coast, and the South Slough area? Well, that’s a real hotspot. Florence, over by the Siuslaw River, is another great place for crabbing. There’s lots of docks and spots where you can drop your traps and wait. It don’t matter where you go, just make sure you follow the rules.
Crabbing Gear You Might Need:
- Castable Crab Traps – A must-have if you want to catch those Dungeness crabs.
- Bucket or Crate – You need somewhere to put them crabs once you catch ’em.
- Shellfish License – You can’t go without it, so make sure you get one.
So, I reckon if you’re ever in the area and you feel like spendin’ a day on the water, crabbing’s a mighty fine way to do it. Just be sure you got your license, know the rules, and bring the right gear. Then, you’ll be all set for a good ol’ time pullin’ up crabs and enjoyin’ the Oregon coast. Ain’t nothin’ better than a day of crabbing, I tell ya!
Tags：[Cannon Beach Crabbing, Oregon Coast Crabbing, Best Crabbing Spots, Dungeness Crab, Brighton Marina, Crabbing Tips, Oregon Shellfish License, Siletz Bay Crabbing]
