Well now, if you’re thinkin’ about goin’ crabbing in Nehalem Bay, Oregon, let me tell ya, it’s somethin’ mighty special. This place, it’s just beautiful with them big ol’ hills in the background and the sound of the waves crashin’ against the shore. But, honey, I gotta warn ya, it ain’t no easy walk down there. You gotta be ready to put in a little elbow grease if you wanna catch some crabs!
You see, Nehalem Bay, it’s got a whole mess of mudflats. And when I say mudflats, I mean REAL muddy. If you’re thinkin’ about walkin’ out to where them crabs are, best be wearin’ boots that go up to your knees, or better yet, just hop in a boat and row yourself out there. That’s what most folks do. The mud’s so soft, you can hardly get yer feet under ya, so a shovel or a clam gun might come in real handy if you wanna get down to business.
Now, crabbing ain’t just somethin’ you can do whenever you feel like it. Nah, there’s a right time for it. The crabs, they don’t just show up outta nowhere. You’ll wanna be hittin’ the water when the weather’s right. Now, folks around here, they always say the best months to go crabbing in Oregon are the ones that end with an “R” in ‘em. That’s what my neighbor’s brother says, anyway. Which means from September all the way through December, that’s when you’re gonna see the crabs comin’ in good and plenty. But, don’t get too excited too early—late July and early August are when things start heatin’ up.
When you’re out there, you ain’t gonna just be lookin’ for any old crab. No, ma’am. You want yourself a nice big, juicy Dungeness crab. Them’s the ones you’ll find mostly in these parts, and let me tell ya, they sure do taste good when you throw ’em on the grill or cook ’em up with a little bit of butter. Oh, mercy, it’s somethin’ to write home about!
So, what’s the best way to go about crabbing? Well, I reckon the first thing you need is a sturdy boat to get you out to where the crabs like to hide. It’s best to go out when the tide’s just right—too high or too low and you won’t catch nothin’. You also gotta make sure you got yourself a good crab trap. Folks use a lotta different kinds, but the pot traps work real good. You just drop ‘em down in the water, wait a spell, and then haul ‘em up. If you’re lucky, you’ll have yourself a nice haul of crabs just waitin’ to be plucked right outta the water.
Of course, you can always try your luck on the public docks or piers if you don’t want to bother with a boat. But trust me, if you really wanna get yourself some good crabs, you gotta head out into the bay itself. Now, if you don’t got your own boat, you can rent one from a few places around the bay. Just make sure you check with the locals and see what’s open before you go—sometimes the weather can change quick and you don’t wanna be caught out there in a storm!
Now, if you’re like me and you ain’t about to go out on a boat, there’s always the option of just enjoyin’ the view from the shore. Nehalem Bay’s got all sorts of sights to see, from the big ol’ trees to the seabirds flyin’ overhead. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for sittin’ back, relaxin’, and maybe even tossin’ a line in the water if you’re feelin’ lucky.
And don’t forget, there’s more than just crabs in these waters. You might catch yourself some clams, too. Clams, now they ain’t too hard to find, but you gotta dig for ‘em. I reckon a clam gun or a good ol’ shovel is your best bet for gettin’ them softshells outta the mud. It’s a bit of work, but them clams sure make for a tasty supper when you get ‘em home and cook ‘em right up with some garlic and butter. Mmm, just thinkin’ ’bout it makes my mouth water!
But if you’re headin’ to Nehalem Bay for crabbing, remember, it’s all about the timing. The crabs, they’re not gonna just sit there waitin’ for ya. You gotta go at the right time, use the right tools, and maybe even get a little lucky. But once you do, oh boy, there’s nothin’ like a fresh crab dinner outta Nehalem Bay!
Tags：[Nehalem Bay crabbing, Oregon crabbing, Dungeness crabs, best time for crabbing, crabbing tips, Oregon Bay crabbing, Nehalem Bay crabbing tips]
