Crabbing!

[Dave]

Just think ResQ, if commercial and tribal crabbing and salmon fishing was closed in Puget Sound and the mouth of it's rivers, there would be no need what so ever for "salmon recovery" and "save our salmon" efforts and crab in no time crab and salmon seasons would be much longer and limits would be much less restrictive. Like in Alaska.... What a concept!

[ResQ]

No kiddin! Its sad how much they are allowed to take and worse yet, throw away. About two years ago, I was at the Black River to go out duck hunting and as I launched the boat I noticed 3 piles, and I mean PILES of salmon. Whole salmon. I called it in and was told that it was dumped legally by native americans who strip their eggs and are allowed to dump their carcasses. There were litterally hundreds. Sickening.

[The Quadfather]

Curious if you guys feel like you see recreational pots out there this year in your local honey holes?
I just got back from dropping my pots for an overnight soak. Normally I'd be happy to say where..... although tonight I admit that I have never seen so many pots. It was almost a hazard to cruise the boat through, trying not to hit a line.

Hopefully they are there in the morning, and better yet with some keepers. f.f. is dead, and it seemed as though I was dropping them with only about 8' of my leaded line left.... I have to time it tomorrow on the pick up during a lower part of the tide.

[Bodofish]

I am thawing out Chelan Macks. for crabbing tomorrow. That prob.sounds like a sin to somebody.... but I wouldn't count them as great eating.

Great eating or not I don't think that using your catch as bait is allowed. I know two years ago using "harvested game" was outlawed for use as crab bait. I always used the nasty big clams (they are by far the best bait) but after a call to WDFG I was told anything you get with a sport license is not to be used for bait, with the exception of fish heads and spines after filleting.

[The Quadfather]

Yeah,, shoot, I bet you are right Matt. Man, even when you think you are pretty careful, there always is a pothole to step in.
When I was at a baitshop in Lake Lanier Georgia last week, you wouldn't believe the looks I got from the proprieter when I told him that we couldn't use live bait at all, basicly beyond garden worms. This was while standing in a a 700 sq. ft. space of various tanks of live minnows, bait fish for sale. many types. They just didn't get it.

[knotabassturd]

I am thawing out Chelan Macks. for crabbing tomorrow. That prob.sounds like a sin to somebody.... but I wouldn't count them as great eating.

Great eating or not I don't think that using your catch as bait is allowed. I know two years ago using "harvested game" was outlawed for use as crab bait. I always used the nasty big clams (they are by far the best bait) but after a call to WDFG I was told anything you get with a sport license is not to be used for bait, with the exception of fish heads and spines after filleting.

Hmm, so what you are saying is Quadfather can shred those things with a knife showing his lack of filleting skills and be just fine?:)

[G-Man]

I am thawing out Chelan Macks. for crabbing tomorrow. That prob.sounds like a sin to somebody.... but I wouldn't count them as great eating.

Great eating or not I don't think that using your catch as bait is allowed. I know two years ago using "harvested game" was outlawed for use as crab bait. I always used the nasty big clams (they are by far the best bait) but after a call to WDFG I was told anything you get with a sport license is not to be used for bait, with the exception of fish heads and spines after filleting.

It used to be that you couldn't use sportfish for bait, and I also remember the regs nixing the use of clams as bait as well. Those restrictions no longer show up in the regs, as long as it is dead, you can use most anything for bait.

[MarkFromSea]

I've got a question about crab possession in cooked/processed form. Regs state, for possession, one daily limit live and additional limits in processed form. I couldn't find a limit on processed form. Gotta keep the back shell while in the field for the processed crab. Does any one know to the contrary and can you point me to the reference, page?

Heading over to San Juan Island for a 3 day family outing, area south 7. If I understand the regs correctly, I should be able to bring 3 limits back for 3 days of crabbing as long as I cook/process the first 2 days' limits.

Thanks!

[Bodofish]

I am thawing out Chelan Macks. for crabbing tomorrow. That prob.sounds like a sin to somebody.... but I wouldn't count them as great eating.

Great eating or not I don't think that using your catch as bait is allowed. I know two years ago using "harvested game" was outlawed for use as crab bait. I always used the nasty big clams (they are by far the best bait) but after a call to WDFG I was told anything you get with a sport license is not to be used for bait, with the exception of fish heads and spines after filleting.

It used to be that you couldn't use sportfish for bait, and I also remember the regs nixing the use of clams as bait as well. Those restrictions no longer show up in the regs, as long as it is dead, you can use most anything for bait.

To tell the truth I didn't look at the regs past dates and days of operation......
Clams are by far the best bait going but it hurts my back too much to dig the buggers up and log the bucket up the beach. I just stay with turkey legs. The local store keeps a good selection of year old turkey legs from some supplier and you just can't beat the price! I can bait up all the pots for under $4.00 and that is good for 24hr in the water. I just pick them once a day.

[Bodofish]

I am thawing out Chelan Macks. for crabbing tomorrow. That prob.sounds like a sin to somebody.... but I wouldn't count them as great eating.

Great eating or not I don't think that using your catch as bait is allowed. I know two years ago using "harvested game" was outlawed for use as crab bait. I always used the nasty big clams (they are by far the best bait) but after a call to WDFG I was told anything you get with a sport license is not to be used for bait, with the exception of fish heads and spines after filleting.

Hmm, so what you are saying is Quadfather can shred those things with a knife showing his lack of filleting skills and be just fine?:)

Some meaty back bones...... I can roll with that but I'm easy to impress. I kind of like Maks smoked. They take a while to firm them up but they's fine eat'in out of the smoker. In the oven or on the Q.... not so much.

[racfish]

Wow!!! I get salmon carcasses ie... heads and backbones for free at the market. I use those in the pots. I dont think its illegal to use. Years ago we would catch a flounder ,slice it up and tie it down in the cage.

[Bodofish]

Wow!!! I get salmon carcasses ie... heads and backbones for free at the market. I use those in the pots. I dont think its illegal to use. Years ago we would catch a flounder ,slice it up and tie it down in the cage.

I don't either. I think what they were trying to stop was people going out and catching fish and digging clams just to use for bait. .......But it seems as though they don't have that restriction in the regs any more.

[BentRod]

Wow!!! I get salmon carcasses ie... heads and backbones for free at the market. I use those in the pots. I dont think its illegal to use. Years ago we would catch a flounder ,slice it up and tie it down in the cage.

I don't either. I think what they were trying to stop was people going out and catching fish and digging clams just to use for bait. .......But it seems as though they don't have that restriction in the regs any more.

If you read this pamphlet (I received on in the mail last week), they list clams as good bait (see last portion)....and it was published in 2010.
Sports crabbing WA pamphlet

[racfish]

Chicken and turkey have always been my go to crab bait. I like trying different things just to play around. After pulling pots last week ,my back needs rest. My lower back is killing me. I need a new crab puller. Maybe I'll get married for crab season...Hehehe....

[Bodofish]

Chicken and turkey have always been my go to crab bait. I like trying different things just to play around. [h]After pulling pots last week ,my back needs rest. My lower back is killing me.[/h] I need a new crab puller. Maybe I'll get married for crab season...Hehehe....

Oh boy am I with you on that one!! I try to bring one of the kids along and if I don't have any help I just pull the pots once a day. I know I'm very luck to have the beach place and I probably wouldn't toss the pots if I couldn't put them in and come back to the house...... Or I'd have to have a really big boat with a pot hauler and an anchor windlass. Those pesky anchors are heavy too!

[Bodofish]

Wow!!! I get salmon carcasses ie... heads and backbones for free at the market. I use those in the pots. I dont think its illegal to use. Years ago we would catch a flounder ,slice it up and tie it down in the cage.

I don't either. I think what they were trying to stop was people going out and catching fish and digging clams just to use for bait. .......But it seems as though they don't have that restriction in the regs any more.

If you read this pamphlet (I received on in the mail last week), they list clams as good bait (see last portion)....and it was published in 2010.
Sports crabbing WA pamphlet

2009 they mad a big deal out of harvesting any sort of sport catch for bait. They specificly said clams as a big no no. So that being said, I will freely admit, again, that I didn't read the entire crabbing section before putting the pots in. I was more concerned with days and times than what I was going to use for bait as I had no intention of digging clams for the bait. I'm much too crippled to do anymore than go to the store and buy turkey legs. I'll save myself for the crabbing it's self.

[BentRod]

2009 they mad a big deal out of harvesting any sort of sport catch for bait. They specificly said clams as a big no no. So that being said, I will freely admit, again, that I didn't read the entire crabbing section before putting the pots in. I was more concerned with days and times than what I was going to use for bait as I had no intention of digging clams for the bait. I'm much too crippled to do anymore than go to the store and buy turkey legs. I'll save myself for the crabbing it's self.

Wasn't trying to bust your chops Bodo. I too remember when they banned the use of clams. I actually thought you were still not supposed to use them. Therefore I found it odd that they were listed as good bait in a 2010 pamphlet. I'm afraid to ask what the official word is, so I won't.

[G-Man]

Crabbed area 10, just outside Shilshole, around the 1:00pm exchange. Lots of crab out there, one pot I hauled held a mix of 20! Had to sort through a bunch of females and undersized males, but was able to get my limit and high grade my keepers. Used freshwater ling and lake trout carcasses, the crabs loved them, and no softshell this time out.

[A9]

Crabbings been good for us this year, easy to find limits in Area 9 for us... Our boat has pulled close to 70 keepers this season, getting 10-15 crab per pot per pull, about 50% are keepers. Been tossing a bunch back around the 6 and a 1/4 mark.....

[Bodofish]

Crabbings been good for us this year, easy to find limits in Area 9 for us... Our boat has pulled close to 70 keepers this season, getting 10-15 crab per pot per pull, about 50% are keepers. Been tossing a bunch back around the 6 and a 1/4 mark.....

That's been the story so far! Gotta like a good year!