Pilar,
Well, this trip was pretty uneventful. We did get 400 shrimp in those 2 hours. That's 5 limits of 80 shrimp each. We ended up having to dump almost another limit from our last two pots. At that rate, we could have gotten at least 10 peoples limits worth in the 4 hour season.
I think more people from Oregon ought to try this. The important thing is to have as many people with you as you can. You are allowed a maximum of 4 pots per boat, (one per person, up to 4) but can have as many shrimpers as you can accomodate.
We get a 4 day season that lasts only 4 hours each day. Two consecutive Saturdays and Wednesdays. The third Saturday in May is always the opener. The Wednesday following that is usually the best day of the season, which was the day Stew came. Far fewer people make it on Wednesdays.
Every year, there will be a low, low tide during one of those days and folks also dig clams and oysters. We have a few respectable bottom fishing spots to pick up lings and some flounder. In fact, Devon caught 3 flounder and I caught 1 but they were small so we released them.
We no longer get to crab on shrimp days, as too many people crabbing all at once on those 4 days can sure wipe out a population. Since the Canal is also fished and shellfished with tribes, we have to be careful.
With shrimping, it's a hurry up and wait game. Hurry at 9 AM to drop your pots and then wait 40-45 minutes to start pulling. That is basically what the first picture was... waiting for the first pull.
Nothing like seeing a pot come up with more than a limit though!
More and more people are shrimping in Puget Sound, and we will be doing some exploring next year to find some productive South Sound water.
The advantage is that you aren't restricted to such a severe season as far as day and time. None of the 9AM to 1 PM stuff. And you should theoretically be able to crab and fish at the same time.
Trouble is...out there, we have to compete with commercials, and it's just like the Columbia... They get a much longer season and allotment, yet shrimpers tend to spend a lot of money.
Our set up with puller, pots, buoys, line and weights, etc will run $1000 new. You can do it for less, but this is a long term investment so we bought new top of the line gear.
Add the cost of bait and fuel, and it makes you wonder what WDFW is thinking!
A guy like you Pilar could take one look at a puller and make one himself.
And weren't you at Bangor when you were in the Navy? You didn't try it back then? One of the hotspots is Dabob Bay.
Giz, I offered to take you tomorrow and you turned me down.... stop whining! You can see how hard a job it is and how rough the water is.
[ 05-23-2003, 10:34 AM: Message edited by: AuntyM ]
AuntyM
It's official! Stew is a Salty Dog!
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