Ah, let me tell ya, if you ever find yourself near Waldport, Oregon, and you got a hankering for some crabbing, you’re in for a real treat. Now, you might be thinkin’ to yourself, “What’s so special about crabbing in Waldport?” Well, sit back and let me spin ya a tale.
Waldport sits pretty on the coast, right there on Alsea Bay. If you’ve never been out that way, you’re missin’ out. It’s one of them places where the water’s calm, the air’s fresh, and the crabs? Oh, they’re big and plenty. The best time for crabbing, if you’re askin’, is from September to December. That’s when the Dungeness crabs are fat and ready for catchin’. So don’t be a fool and wait too long—get out there while the gettin’ is good!
Now, if you’re new to crabbing, don’t you worry none. There’s plenty of folks around Waldport who’ll help ya out. You can rent yourself a boat with a motor, grab all the crabbing supplies you need, and even get lessons on how to cook those crabs once you catch ‘em. Ain’t that somethin’?
Where to Go for Crabbing in Waldport:
- Alsea Bay: This here bay is where the action happens. It’s right next to the Port of Alsea, and the crabs love to hang out there. If you want to try your luck, this is the place to be.
- McKinley’s Oregon Coast RV Park and Marina: Now, if you like crabbing and fishin’, this is a good spot. You’ll be right on the bay, and you won’t have to go far to catch yourself some crabs. It’s perfect for folks who like to camp and fish all at once.
- Siletz Bay: If you’re lookin’ for a quiet spot with less hustle and bustle, Siletz Bay might be more your speed. You can use a castable crab trap here, which is a neat little thing. You just toss it out and wait for those crabs to get curious.
Now, just remember, you gotta have a license to catch crabs in Oregon. If you’re over 12 years old, you’ll need a shellfish license. You can pick one up at most sporting goods stores or some local shops. Don’t go thinkin’ you can get away with it, ‘cause you can’t. They got rules, and you gotta follow ‘em if you wanna catch ‘em legally.
What You Need for Crabbing in Waldport:
- A boat or a good dock to set your traps from.
- Crab traps, of course. They come in all shapes and sizes, but the castable ones work real nice if you don’t wanna lug around a big ol’ trap.
- A bucket to put your crabs in once you catch ‘em.
- Some bait. You can use chicken or fish, but the crabs sure do love it when you toss in some smelly stuff.
- A license. Don’t forget it! You’ll be in big trouble if you try crabbing without one.
Tips for Crabbing:
- Try crabbing early in the morning or late in the evening when the water’s calm and the crabs are out feedin’.
- Be patient. Sometimes it takes a while for them crabs to bite, but when they do, you’ll know it!
- Make sure you measure your crabs before you bring ‘em in. They gotta be at least 5 ¾ inches wide. If they ain’t, throw ‘em back and let ‘em grow up a bit more.
- Be respectful of the environment. Don’t leave your traps out too long, and always clean up after yourself.
Once you’ve caught yourself a nice batch of crabs, the fun ain’t over yet. You’ve gotta cook ‘em up! Now, I ain’t no chef, but I’ll tell ya what, you boil them crabs for about 10 to 15 minutes, add a little butter, and you got yourself a meal that’ll make your mouth water. If you’re fancy, you can steam ‘em too, but either way, they taste just as good.
So, what are ya waitin’ for? If you ever find yourself in Waldport, grab your gear, get a license, and go out there to catch some of the best crabs the Oregon coast has to offer. It’s a good time, I promise ya that.
Tags:[Waldport crabbing, Alsea Bay crabbing, Oregon Dungeness crab, crabbing tips, crabbing license Oregon, best crabbing spots Oregon, crabbing equipment, Oregon coast crabbing]