Well now, if you’re lookin’ to try your hand at crabbing, you’ve come to the right place! Waldport, Oregon, that little ol’ town by Alsea Bay, is just the spot for it. Folks around here sure know a thing or two about crabbin’, and let me tell ya, it ain’t hard to get yourself a mess of those sweet Dungeness crabs! You don’t gotta be a pro, just have a little patience, and maybe a boat. But I’ll get into all that in a bit, don’t you worry.
Where to Crab in Waldport?
Now, if you’re here in Waldport, you can’t go wrong with Alsea Bay. This bay’s got crabs crawlin’ all over the place, and I mean it! The water’s just right for them little critters, and the docks down by the Port of Alsea are the perfect place to set up your traps. There’s plenty of public docks, so you don’t need to go off huntin’ for a special spot. If you don’t have a boat, no big deal! The folks at Dock of the Bay can rent ya one, along with all the crabbing gear you’ll need. They’ll even tell ya what you need to do to get the most crabs. They’re nice folks down there, always willin’ to help out.
The Best Time to Go Crabbing
Now, you might be wonderin’ when’s the best time to go out and catch crabs. Well, let me tell ya, fall’s a real good time to get out there. Around September, them crabs start to fill out, gettin’ nice and meaty. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a hard-shelled crab, you’ll find that they got about 20%-30% meat by weight. That’s a good haul! But if you get a soft-shelled one, well, don’t be too disappointed—there ain’t as much meat in them, usually just about 12%. But heck, a crab’s a crab, and they’re all tasty if you ask me!
Do You Need a License?
Now, before you go out there catchin’ crabs left and right, you gotta know that you do need a crabbing license. Yup, that’s right! You gotta make sure you got your ducks in a row. You can get yourself a recreational license through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) online, or you can pick one up at a local shop. It ain’t too much trouble, but you don’t wanna get caught without one! If you’re lookin’ to do it for commercial purposes, well, you’ll need a special commercial license, too. You can get that through the same folks, the ODFW. Simple enough!
What You’ll Need for Crabbing
When it comes to gear, you don’t need a whole lot to get started. First thing you’ll need is a crab pot or two. Now, don’t you be thinkin’ you need a big ol’ boat with fancy gear, ’cause that ain’t the case at all. You can easily rent everything from the Dock of the Bay, and they’ll set you up with the pots, the bait, and the ropes. If you’re real fancy, you might want a crab snare, but that’s just for the experienced ones. It’s best to start off simple. Oh, and don’t forget a good pair of gloves. Them crabs can get a bit feisty, especially when you’re tryin’ to pull ‘em out of the water!
What to Expect When You’re Out There
When you’re out there crabbing, it’s a lot like fishin’. You gotta have patience, but boy is it worth it! You just drop your pot into the water, wait a spell, and then haul it up to see what you got. Sometimes you might catch a few in one go, and other times it takes a while. But don’t let that discourage you. There’s plenty of crabs out there, and the more you try, the better you’ll get at it. Plus, there’s somethin’ about bein’ out there on the water, the fresh air, the quiet, and just enjoyin’ nature. It’s peaceful, and you get to bring home a good meal to boot!
Other Places to Crab Around Waldport
While Alsea Bay is the main spot in Waldport, there are other places around here that are good for crabbing, too. Take Coos Bay, for example. It’s one of the biggest estuaries on the Oregon coast, and it’s got some mighty fine crabbing spots. The South Slough area is real popular. If you’re closer to Florence, you can try the Siuslaw River. That place has got plenty of crabs, and you’ll find public docks to drop your traps.
How to Cook Your Catch
Well, now that you got your crabs, what do you do with ‘em? First thing you gotta do is cook ‘em right! Some folks like to boil ‘em, others prefer steaming. It’s up to you, but I like a good ol’ fashioned crab boil myself. Just throw ’em in a big pot with some water, salt, and maybe a few seasonings—garlic, bay leaves, and such—and let ‘em cook for about 15-20 minutes. Once they turn that bright red color, you know they’re ready! Serve ‘em up with some melted butter, and you’ve got yourself a fine meal.
Final Thoughts
Crabbing in Waldport is a great way to spend the day. Whether you’re new to it or a seasoned crabber, there’s always somethin’ to enjoy. The folks here are friendly, the crabs are plenty, and the scenery’s enough to make you want to come back again and again. So go ahead, grab a boat, get yourself a license, and give crabbing a try. You might just find it’s the best part of your trip to Waldport!
Tags：[Waldport crabbing, Alsea Bay crabbing, Oregon crabbing, Dungeness crab, crabbing license, crabbing gear, crab pots, crab fishing, Dock of the Bay Waldport, best time to crab]
