Northwest Fishing Reports

Once again we are fast approaching the Western Washington 2010 crab season and I for one can't wait for it to arrive. For those of us in the Area of 8-1 I haven't noticed any commercial or Tribal crab gear in the water (I’ve only recently checked yesterday but hope it’s been the case for all of June) which is great news. In years past, they have spent all of June crabbing the heck out of either 8-1 or 8-2 but usually not both, leaving which ever area they crab with few keepers. So it is my hope that they haven't been as active this June and crabbing will be great for all of us. I look forward to hearing all of your success stories this season and may we all enjoy both the experience and the taste of amazing Dungeness crab.

I was just up in Area 9 this past weekend and watched them unload alot I mean alot of Dungies to a wholesaler. I too am looking forward to the opener.This week Im putting all my ropes and pots together.

Hey Rac,

You seeing them in area 9 is great news for those of us north enders in the 8-1 area. I am hoping they left my area alone this time around so limits will come easy. I was down at the State Park here on Camano again today for some cardio and not a pot in sight.

Thanks for the update.

Dave

about a month ago they hit the east side of camano hard

saltyseadog wrote:about a month ago they hit the east side of camano hard

That's kinda odd. They usually fish it hard all of June leaving few behind for the rest of us. I wonder why they crabbed in May this year. Oh well, hopefully the crab that were just under legal in May that were hopefully not harvested, will be legal size in July.

I am stoked. Gunna b dropping pots out off of Priest Pt and heading north to fish the Bubble while they soak

Where I crab I cant leave the site of my pots because #@^&* people come by and take them or empty them.Last season the Island County Police came by and warned us of this.I drop my pots and usually within a half to an hour I'm lifting them.I dont find I need to leave them in their a long time to get my limits.Last year I noticed more Starfish invading the pots. Those suckers are heavy to pull up.As for the pot thieves I guess there aint much one can do except hang out by the pots.

I should be back from my deployment in the next month or so. I so have to learn how to do this, I can't wait.......

Got the boat, just needs the pots...LOL

ND

7mag really good scope Rac. That take care of em lol. Just put a hole in the boat though. I dont have a boat so I just use rings usually off docks. It takes longer for a decent catch but Its awesome to eat fresh crab while camping.

You better believe I'm gunna take 3 or 4 people out on the 3rd for limits we can eat on the 4th of July before fireworks!!! :bounce: :chef:

Yeah we are camping this coming week. My birthday is on the 29th, so Im wanting to get enough for a birthday bbq and crab feast mmmmm. Hopefully get enough for the 4th but thats stretching it I dont know if I could let it sit that long without eating it.

flinginpooh wrote: Hopefully get enough for the 4th but thats stretching it I dont know if I could let it sit that long without eating it.

Vac-pac and freeze it. It will last a long time that way my buddies and I usually get limits and vacpac/freeze all the ones we don't eat.... end up having crab dip and fresh meat all season

LOL I can save it in vac packs yes. I have a nice vac sealer. But I cant let seafood sit in my fridge or freezer. I catch a steelie or a salmon I eat it within 2 days. I get oysters and eat em that day. Clams within 2 days. Crab usually can stay around 2 days tops and its all ate. I am married with 5 kids and man we all love seafood. lol

flinginpooh wrote:LOL I can save it in vac packs yes. I have a nice vac sealer. But I cant let seafood sit in my fridge or freezer. I catch a steelie or a salmon I eat it within 2 days. I get oysters and eat em that day. Clams within 2 days. Crab usually can stay around 2 days tops and its all ate. I am married with 5 kids and man we all love seafood. lol

i hear ya there!:chef: :chef:

Thats one of the beauties of living in Wa state. You can get fresh seafood all year long. I only freeze Chums and Pinks. All the rest get eaten within 2 days.Those I use for crabbing.

We had a great day of crabbing just outside Port Susan. First pull after 1 hrs soak gave us 8 keepers (Good size too). We got another 3 and then called it a day and headed on home. Crab boil with shrimp, Polish and corn on the cob and beer to wash it all down with! Now that's the way to spend a Friday night!. For those of you that went out today, hope you had as much fun as we did.

Very fine looking display of crabbies.. So... after all the talk, what was the final word on your flounder bottom fishing time spent?

Well, As is the case for most newbies getting into something for the first time. We dropped the pots and took everyone's advice as far as bait went and sure enough, we didn't have enough weight to hit the bottom! What we had with us was either too light or too heavy. So, We have a solid plan I would say for next week. I'm leaving again next Sunday for La so I have to make sure that I get some crabbing in. The wife and I were pretty hyped up though about catching flounder or a doggie as you pro's call it. We even had light weight ugly sticks with us thinking that it would make things a little more dramatic with light gear.
Was not meant to be for us today.

Where in La? I take that as in Louisiana... and not Los Ang.

Louisiana indeed. I work on Fort Polk as a DoD contractor. I have yet to indulge in crawdads or mud bugs as they call em. That's on my list for sure. Kinda bummed that I have to leave Wa in the middle of crabbing season though. I hear they have lots of blue crab. Not sure what that's all about but my understanding is that they aren't very big but tasty?