Best Oregon Crabbing to Find the Best Crab

By Hector Fieshmann

Crabbing in Oregon is a family or friend oriented experience that builds memories that last a lifetime. If you have a boat, then you are far ahead of the game and will be able to drop your pots anywhere you like. If you don't have a boat, then you will need to find docks and overhanging trees, or hire a local tour guide. Hiring a local is helpful in many ways, such as helping to find the best spots, but can also be very expensive.

Crabbing in Oregon bays was good in July this year as some of the larger males started to develop harder shells and show up in catches. The softer shells do not have as much meat and are often thrown back. There were good catches all along the coast, yet Nehalem Bay continued to report record numbers with many crabbers catching their limits within just a few hours. The best months for bay crabbing in Oregon are August through November. The catches for bay crabbing tend to decline after the November rains come in and the salinity levels drop.

There are six Areas for Shellfish in Nehalem Bay. Area 1 requires a boat for access. This area is a large mud flat containing mostly softshell clams nd walking can be difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 2 requires a boat for access. As with Area 1, this area contains softshell clams, and walking an be difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 3 again as with Areas 1 and 2, you will find softshell clams though the sand is a little firmer and walking isn't as difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 4 can be reached by either boat or bank/walk-in. Bank/walk-in access is obtained from Nehalem Bay State Park boat ramp area and by walking south. A mix of softshell and purple varnish clams will be found in this area. Here a shovel or clam gun would be best. Area 5 will require a boat for access. This area has a mixture of sand and gravel. Here a shovel or garden fork (heavy tined) would work best for digging. Although softshell clams primarily dominate this area a few butter clams can also be found. Area 6 will require a boat for crabbing. Pots may be set anywhere within this area, using caution to avoid direct placement in navigation channels.

There are five boat launches in Nehalem Bay. The first launch (1) is County Boat Ramp- approximately 1mile north of Wheeler & 1mile south of Nehalem, off Hwy 101 at mile post 46, turn west on Tideland Rd. (not shown on map). The second launch (2) is Wheeler Marina- turn west at city center in Wheeler, next to train depot. (not shown on map). The third launch (3) is Nehalem Bay State Park boat ramp- 1mile north of Nehalem off Hwy 101, take Necarney Rd to state park and follow signs to boat ramp. The fourth launch (4) is Brighton Marina- approximately 3 miles south of Wheeler off Hwy 101, near mile post 47. The fifth (5) launch is Jetty Fishery- approximately 3.7 miles south of Wheeler off Hwy 101, near mile post 47.

Be sure to get a shellfish license for Oregon crabbing and pay attention to the following restrictions. The daily limit is 12 Dungeness crab, male 5 and " or larger. The daily limit is 24 for red rock crab of any sex. While all bays, estuaries, beaches, tide pools, piers and jetties open all year, the Pacific Ocean is closed for Dungeness crab October 16 - November 30. You can use crab rings, pots, or baited lines to catch Oregon crab.

Size is measured in a straight line across the back with a caliper measurement just in front of, but not including the points. Undersize female must be released immediately without harm! You can come back up to 2 times a day to catch a second limit. Note that harsh penalties are applied if crabs are mutilated so that their sex or size or species can not be determined, especially when crossing state waters.

In addition to your Oregon crabbing adventure, you may be interested in digging for clams and muscles. Beach and inlet areas along the coast offer plentiful harvest opportunities and require only shovel and a bucket. Basically, when the tide goes out, the clams or muscles lay just below the surface of the sand. Depending on the type of clam, you may need to dig quickly as they will dive deep within the sand to avoid capture.

Clamming is a good alternative to Oregon crabbing while camping along the oregon coast. Nehalem Bay State Park is a perfect example of a park with excellent accomodations for camping and a plethora of clamming and crabbing opportunities. Catch by day, dine at night by campfire.


  About the Author:

Hector Fieshmann is an avid Oregon Fishing angler for over thirty years experience. Get this free weekly Oregon Fishing Report, courtesy of Wheeler on the Bay.


Dania
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