Snaring Crab

[Theron]

I'd never tried snaring crabs before and was a bit skeptical. My wife and I spent 3 hour on a popular salmon beach here on Whidbey Island. We snared 3 in about 3 hours All males but unfortunately they were all too small. I only took enough bait to fill the snares once and we ran out so had to call it a day. At least I know the technique works.

 

[nwbobber]

I used to do that long ago from the jetties down on the Oregon coast. We had quite a bit of action, although most crabs had to go back. It was quite enjoyable. I wonder how it would be from the jetty or the riprap by the Kingston ferry?

 

[DimeBrite]

I just grab bigger Dungeness in shallow water and measure. Sometimes they get feisty and crab gloves are helpful.

 

[headduck]

Folks over here use all manner of modified rakes and pitchforks...

 

[SilverFly]

It's amazing how many that get hung in my flyline when fishing for surf perch. Oddly most are females. Would be interesting to know why not more males in the surf?

 

[SteelHeadDave]

It's amazing how many that get hung in my flyline when fishing for surf perch. Oddly most are females. Would be interesting to know why not more males in the surf?

When I used to fish for surf perch a lot (gear) I’d get quite a few riding my bait all the way in. So much so that I tried intentionally targeting crab with a birds nest of mono tied to my bait. Almost all the crabs I caught were female. I’ve wondered the same about the male vs female ratio in the surf.

 

[troutpocket]

I'd never tried snaring crabs before and was a bit skeptical. My wife and I spent 3 hour on a popular salmon beach here on Whidbey Island. We snared 3 in about 3 hours All males but unfortunately they were all too small. I only took enough bait to fill the snares once and we ran out so had to call it a day. At least I know the technique works.

Was that a red rock crab? If so, the minimum size is 5” across the shell and you can take either sex. They are more work to process but very tasty.

Washington Crab Rules

Find Washington crab rules, seasons, and limits for recreational harvesters. Learn more to crab safely and stay compliant on eRegulations.

www.eregulations.com

 

[Pink Nighty]

Was that a red rock crab? If so, the minimum size is 5” across the shell and you can take either sex. They are more work to process but very tasty.

Washington Crab Rules

Find Washington crab rules, seasons, and limits for recreational harvesters. Learn more to crab safely and stay compliant on eRegulations.

www.eregulations.com

That is indeed a rock crab, carapace shape and black tipped claw are the giveaways.

 

[Theron]

Was that a red rock crab? If so, the minimum size is 5” across the shell and you can take either sex. They are more work to process but very tasty.

Washington Crab Rules

Find Washington crab rules, seasons, and limits for recreational harvesters. Learn more to crab safely and stay compliant on eRegulations.

www.eregulations.com

It was smaller than I wanted to deal with.