Ilwaco / Chinook Crabbing

[Jim]

Can anybody give me any tips (as in location) on crabbing in this area?? I have fished a lot... but want to puts some pots out over the next couple of weeks...Washington side would be preferred. Thanks in advance!

Jim

[Phish_on]

Just upstream from the Ilwaco entrance in about 20 feet of water.

[Killertraylor]

That's not a bad spot - I cought crabs above the bridge this year while sturgeon fishing so they are all throughout the estuary. Other good spots when the weather is nice is just the other side of the A Jetty (the jetty on your right when you come out of Ilwaco). There is usually a moderate ocean swell over there, but that is a real good place to get them. You should be able to find 25-30 foot water over there fairly easy. We pulled 6 pots in this area November 3 last year - the day before elk hunting started and got 76 big crabs - only one female in the whole mess. Those elk are probably still wondering how all those crab shells got up in the mountains....

[Grits]

I second Killertraylor spot but would like to throw out words of caution. I have lost two pots this year. No way either drifted or had to short of a rope. Only leave a pot out that you don't mind losing.

[Tacklebuster]

K&G hit it on the head. As soon as you pass the jetty, hook a right above the green can. When you reach the yellow can, mill behind around there and you should have no problem in finding a place to drop your pots. The current is pretty extreme and the water can be pretty bumpy at times.

[Phish_on]

Oh yeah, when the tide is running hard it can drag your floats under. I don't go past Jetty A, you know ... but off that sandy beach there on the inside can be a good spot also. A lot more boat traffic though, as you can get into FISH there ... that's why I like to sneak in among the pilings, usually just crabbers will go there.

Yep, keep an eye or two on your pots. Don't hesitate to try and catch one of those dirtbags [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]