There is AM fishing, and crab report.

[wak'm&stak'm]

This morning it is doable for the AM risers, as will Sat. morning if I was to guess.
The North forecasted is was exactly that the last few days. Which is a slightly offshore direction.
The swells come Sunday maybe another thing.

Yesterday we ran down with the fleet off Seal Rocks and caught our coho, then ran in next to the surf and ran home with little wind chop.

As for the crabbing....4 weeks ago you couldn't catch very many, (my guess is they go off the bite before the molt, to shrink away from the old shell), then they molt, and hide (because they are like play dough for a few days).

This year they are molting early....(darn)..a few weeks ago we were getting about 30 to 36 for 5 pots...but all were real soft. So we stated filling live boxes at the dock.

Yesterday we thru 4 pots...after a 4 hour soak...the first one was so packed you couldn't squeeze another crab in it, we kept our 24 and thru more than 6 back (all males).
So we picked the next one....same thing, so we upgraded, replacing 17 of the ones we had. Little to say we didn't pull the other 2 pots. BUT they are still soft.
I know some don't mind so so crabs but I would rather wait for them to harden up.

For those who have not done it...at this time of year and since the season will end offshore soon, there is an option.
Build a crab box.
You can ligally store 2 limits in a box...per tag holder..each has to have their own container.

I have built them out of 1x4s, but the easiest thing is to get the 55gallon plastic barrels from the hardware stores...Barelhead at South beach (15 dollars ea)...saw a door in the lid, add hinges and use a 2 or 3 inch hole saw and make it like swiss cheese. But don't over do it.
They hang easy at the dock, don't soak up water and get heavy as the wood ones.

Usually it takes a few weeks to harden them up...

I will post a pic of the box I need to make today...

[wak'm&stak'm]

oops! I should also add, that it is not important to feed them as you might think.
The largest part of a crabs diet is bugs. Years ago the Marine Science Center proved it by, keep some crabs in a tank and just let them grow, without additional fish.

I thow in an occasional snack, but to much will make them smell like rotten fish. and kill the whole lot of them.

[Spoonplugger]

Thanks for the report. That crab info is enlightening.

[5 Salt]

Good Stuff. Thanks Wak-m&Stak-m

[Boats]

Great report!!! Thanks!

[wak'm&stak'm]

Here is the latest , side entry model.
I am sure BOE can make a delux model.

I thought I would add another way to use tuna cord....it lasts forever as shoe strings.

[Rosco]

Thats an awesome idea. I dont get to crab as much as I'd like so I dont know the details of the regulations very well. The info is much appreciated.

[FishSniffer]

Hey wak'm&stak'm,

You been sneaking around in my backyard! That photo looks awfully familiar.

That's a great idea. Do you have any idea what those barrels are used for before they become crab holders? I've often wondered.

I'm going to talk to my friend who lives on a boat at the marina and see if he'll let me strap one of these to the back of his boat. Did you use a door know hole cutting saw for those holes?

Thanks

[wak'm&stak'm]

Hey nieghbor.... I believe they are used for herbicides and pesticides.........................just kidding. The last one i opened smelled like rum, and others had olive oil. I asked once and they are safe.

[WaterDog]

The last one i opened smelled like rum,

Any chance I can get a full one of those? :grin:

[Billfisher]

This may be a dumb question, but do you store them in the ocean? If so, do they drift much, or become buried often?

[wak'm&stak'm]

We just tie them to the dock...and let them hang.

[8knots]

I like the idea, but isn't marina water kinda funky for this?

[Fish_N_Russ]

wouldnt that be a nice snack for a seal to get into?