Waldport crabbing?

[Walleyed]

Wife got myself and her friends a house with a dock in Waldport in a couple weeks so it looks like I’ll be taking them on a crabbing trip or two. Problem is I’ve never even been to Waldport but to just drive through. Can anyone tell me where to put the boat in and dose the bay have good Chanel markers? Anything else would be helpful. Thanks

[ron m]

Originally Posted by Walleyed

Wife got myself and her friends a house with a dock in Waldport in a couple weeks so it looks like I’ll be taking them on a crabbing trip or two. Problem is I’ve never even been to Waldport but to just drive through. Can anyone tell me where to put the boat in and dose the bay have good Chanel markers? Anything else would be helpful. Thanks

There are probably other ramps upriver, but the one I used is on the south side of the bay about 4 blocks east of 101. It's on the road that goes north from hwy 34 by the grocery store. One lane ramp, dock can be tough on the boat and there isn't much dock space. No freshwater to washdown the boat or trailer. Not much in the way of channel markers, my first couple of times going upriver to try fishing I found sandbars, switched to the kicker and was ok. I mostly crabbed west of the bridge, though I've had folks tell me they crabbed across the bay from the ramp and upriver and got crabs. It's not my favorite place to take my boat, I rarely go there. But my boat isn't particularly well suited to rivers either.

If you have the chance, be a good idea to look at the bay/river at low tide so you have some idea of there the sandbars are.

good luck
ron m

[retiredgal]

Originally Posted by ron m

There are probably other ramps upriver, but the one I used is on the south side of the bay about 4 blocks east of 101. It's on the road that goes north from hwy 34 by the grocery store. One lane ramp, dock can be tough on the boat and there isn't much dock space. No freshwater to washdown the boat or trailer. Not much in the way of channel markers, my first couple of times going upriver to try fishing I found sandbars, switched to the kicker and was ok. I mostly crabbed west of the bridge, though I've had folks tell me they crabbed across the bay from the ramp and upriver and got crabs. It's not my favorite place to take my boat, I rarely go there. But my boat isn't particularly well suited to rivers either.

If you have the chance, be a good idea to look at the bay/river at low tide so you have some idea of there the sandbars are.

Good advice!

Basically the channel tends to run on the north side of the bay and curves south near the jaws by the Bayshore Homes. Plan on about 14-20' depth at hightide? Can get pretty conjested somedays for sure? The dock can be rough with wind, tide, current for docking when crowded?

If you have a prop boat it is not advisable to try and run up river from the bay due to shifting sand and whatever. Sucking sand is not good for your engine/pump?:frown:

Have fun!:smile:

Lots to see and good food nearby.



good luck
ron m

[Walleyed]

Thanks for the advice. That is what I really needed to know.
Have a big old 21' glassply because well we just happen to me big people
but also have a 17' alumaweld and it sounds like the way to go.
Not a hazard with 4 big people,
just not a lot of room when dealing with the pots.
What the hay no matter what I do they will have a good time.
Really that’s what its all about.
Thanks for the help.
Much appreciated.
Dale

[RDRocket]

I had some great luck crabbing from my kayak this year in Waldport.
You won't be able to, but I put in behind the Info Center on 101 just at the foot of the bridge.
What I'm trying to say is, put in at any of the ramps but motor the channel to as close to the mouth of the bay as it goes into the ocean. On the slack and incoming time you should be able to drop your pots in 25' to 35' in the channel side closest to 101. Need to have a depth finder to find the spots and watch the low tide. Very shallow in the front bay.
I got the largest crabs I've seen in 2 years. Got 2 limits each for three days crabbing.
I have no idea what the back bay is like, but big crabs rule in the front bay.
RD

[Walleyed]

Well it was windy and nasty and we had a real good time.
19 nice crab for 3 hours work.
Thanks for all the help.

[Empty Pockets]

Nice job on the 'ing.

How did you get them to stay still for the photo?

[BridgeCatcher]

Little late for my post, but it can be good future reference for anyone one, of if you go again. My folks and I have been crabbing in Waldport one a year for quite a few years. This September we went out in a boat for three hours and got 48 crabs.

Along the sandbars seem to be the best spot for us. We do most of our crapping west of the 101 bridge that crosses over the bay as well. A lot of people say they do well east of the bridge around the phone poles that are in the water, but we have never really had any luck there.