Well now, if you’re thinkin’ of goin’ crabbing in Fort Bragg, you’re in for a real treat! Folks around here been doin’ it for years, and I can tell ya, there ain’t nothin’ like the fresh taste of those crabs right outta the water. Now, I ain’t no expert or nothin’, but I know enough to share a few tips with ya. Fort Bragg, down there in Mendocino, it’s got a real good reputation for crabbing, and that ain’t just talk. Let me tell ya why.
First off, you gotta know where to go. There’s a few spots around that are better than others, and I reckon if you hit the right place, you’ll come home with a bucket full. One popular spot is Glass Beach. Now, don’t let the name fool ya; you ain’t lookin’ for glass. It’s just a nice little beach with some good crabs around. The water here is calm and shallow, perfect for catchin’ those blue crabs that like to stay close to shore, especially in the late spring and early fall. That’s when they’re runnin’ best. A lotta folks say that’s the sweet spot for crabbing, and they ain’t wrong. The crabs are big, and you don’t have to go too deep to get ‘em.
Another good place is Navarro Beach Campground. It’s a bit quieter than Glass Beach, and if you like a bit of peace and quiet while you work on your crabbing, this is where you wanna be. I remember goin’ out there with my cousin once, and it was a fine day. The crabs were crawlin’ around like nobody’s business. You can bring your own gear or rent it from one of the nearby shops. Either way, you’re gonna want a good, sturdy pot and some bait. The crabs love that stinky stuff, y’know.
Now, if you ain’t got your own boat or if you don’t wanna mess with all that, you can always hop on one of them charters. There’s plenty of companies round here like Telstar Charters or Hooked On Mendo Charters. These folks will take ya out on the water, show ya the ropes, and help you catch all the crabs you can handle. They know the waters like the back of their hand, and they’ll put you in just the right spot to catch the big ones. If you’re a beginner, this might be the way to go. Ain’t no shame in lettin’ the pros show ya how it’s done!
Now, if you’re really serious ‘bout crabbing, you’ll want to make sure you’re crabbing at the right times of year. Late spring and early fall, I told ya, is when the crabs are plenty. But don’t be goin’ out in the middle of winter or summer when the waters are too cold or too warm. The crabs just ain’t around like they are when the weather’s just right. I’ve seen folks head out during the wrong time and come back empty-handed. Ain’t no fun in that, I’ll tell ya!
Don’t forget, when you’re crabbing, you gotta follow the rules too. The state’s got regulations on how many crabs you can keep and what size they gotta be. You don’t wanna get in trouble with the fish and game folks, so make sure you got your license and you’re followin’ the law. It’s all about keepin’ the crabs around for the next season. We all want our kids and grandkids to be able to enjoy this, right?
And listen, if you ain’t done crabbing before, it can be a bit tricky. You gotta know how to set your traps and how to pull ‘em up without losin’ all your bait. But don’t you worry none. You’ll get the hang of it soon enough. And when you finally pull up that trap and see those crabs, well, you’ll forget all about the trouble you went through to get ‘em. Just makes it all worth it, don’t it?
If you ask me, the best part of crabbing in Fort Bragg is just bein’ out there. The ocean breeze in your hair, the sound of the waves crashin’, and the chance to pull in a good haul? It don’t get much better than that. So, if you got a few days free and you wanna try somethin’ new, grab your gear, head on out to Fort Bragg, and see what all the fuss is about. You might just catch more than you bargained for!
Tags：[Fort Bragg crabbing, crabbing in Fort Bragg, Mendocino fishing, best crabbing spots, blue crabs, crabbing tips, fishing charters, Navarro Beach, Glass Beach, crabbing season]
