Crabbing

[Meridian]

How much fresh water does it take to send the crabs back out to the ocean. Did this weeks rain amount affect the crabbing any? Any crabbing reports from Tillmook or Neatarts bay would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Pilar]

Meridian, the crabbing has been outstanding this fall. Usually when the rivers color the bay it is over. Once the bay goes chocolate fish the ocean (not open yet) or forget it.

With some fresh water but not discolored the crabbing will still be possible. You just need to move closer to the bay entrance. The upper bay spots won't fish anymore.

Lysters and crab harbor will probably still fish this weekend if T bay stays clear.

BTW, Netarts fishes well all the time with no run off problems. It is small and difficult to navigate but the crabbing is pretty good there.

[Lives_to_fish]

Any thoughs on crabbing out of Hammond this weekend? Have done well there in the past.
Also done well in the past at Netarts, but I have this urge to try Hammond.

[Pilar]

Lives_to_fish, please be careful! Are you fishing in the area around Clatsop spit? All the B-10 precautions apply here. Every year people get in trouble on the lower Columbia in late fall.

Check the weather.

Avoid the ebb tide at all times.

Make sure your boat is happy and have all the safety gear ready.

The crabbing should be good. From what I hear the lower river is getting very light angling pressure. So instead of many boats to ask for help there will only be a few.

Oh yeah, tell us a fish story when you get back. Happy hunting.

[Lives_to_fish]

Thanks Pilar, I am planning on working much inside of the area you are talking about. We typicaly work the area around the 21 can, near the beach where all the bank guys fish for silvers.

[Pilar]

Yep, that's Social Security beach. The bad scenario is fish past high slack, lose the motor and drift downstream to the huge breakers on Clatsop Spit. Happens every year.

Sounds like you are familiar with the area. Are they still getting silvers off the beach?

[Meridian]

Thanks with the help Pilar.

[Lives_to_fish]

I hear ya, I think I will take the back up motor and the big anchor though. As far as the silvers, I have no idea just have some kids who want to see some creatures scurry around the bottom of the boat. Does look like the rain gear will get some use though. Hope the kids can hold out long enough to get a decent catch.
I can taste it already!