The recreational winter crab season is in full swing on the local saltwater and most of those chasing November Dungeness are reporting good, but not great, success rates. Of course, it would take some spectacular crabbing to rank as “great” compared to this past summer’s extraordinary harvest, so instead of six or eight legals per pot, we’re down to two or three, which is still pretty good crabbing. Weather becomes a problem during the winter, of course, but the crab are in great shape and there’s generally a lot more elbow room.
Most of the areas that were good through the summer still hold crab. One is the popular spot along the edge of the bar curving northwest from the lower end of Jetty Island. Bait with cheap chicken or turkey parts and set in 80 to 110 feet of water.
A state Department of Fish and Wildlife winter crab report card is required. It’s free to fishing license holders at any state license outlet.
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