Crabbing near Fort Stevens State Park

blankman · 07-10-2002, 06:29 PM

Me and the family are going to Fort Stevens State Park next week for some camping. I would love to rent a little boat and some crab rings for some quality time with my 8 year old and some friends. Anyone have advice for a best bet? I was thinking about Nehalem bay (since it's not too far). Will it be any good next week? How about the Columbia. Is it stupid to try and go out in a little rental dingy with all of the big boats around?

thanks for the input.

Fishplay · 07-10-2002, 07:37 PM

You can crab out of a small boat any where inside Baker Bay. There is also a state park at the mouth of the Columbia on the Washington side just west of Ilwaco. It is very nice and has it's own boat ramp. I've seen small boats returning with crab from the areas protected waters. However I know of no boat rentals in the area. You may want to call the marina at Chinook Wa.
Then again Nehalem bay would make a nice little day trip for you.
Good luck!!

Gobbaworms · 07-10-2002, 09:00 PM

Baker Bay.

And personally if I were in a small dinghy in the Columbia, I would want a lot of boats around!

bigshark · 07-10-2002, 09:32 PM

blankman
Check those tides next week. Looks like the a.m. water is outgoing. I would recommend incoming water in the afternoons. The wind could kick up so find the most sherlter place you can. I'd visit with the marina people and size up the situation before making a go or no go decision. Nothing like seeing the results of other boats out crabbing to give you an idea of what you want to do.

TundraIII · 07-11-2002, 06:23 AM

A little early for the Columbia crabbing. Dropped 5 pots 2 weeks ago, got zip. Not even a baby crab in the pot and I was using shad for bait. The best time to crab there is on the incoming tide to high slack. Once the tide turns out it's over, dont waste your time. Have never seen a rental place for small boats or pots on the Oregon side. Nehalem bay is your best bet, you're only 25 minutes away from Fort Stevens Park.

blankman · 07-11-2002, 07:36 AM

Thanks for the input. Does anyone have a recommendation of a good marina on the Nehalem bay? I have checked with a few numbers I found and they all say crabbing is good (but they may just be telling me this to rent me a boat).

RIPPLE · 07-11-2002, 08:29 AM

I crabbed in Nehalem bay last weekend and it was less than impressive inside the bay. There was alot of pressure on the big weekend so it may be improved now. At any rate you will still have a blast with your son. The two closest marinas that rent boats are Jetty Fishery and Brighton Marina. Probably a better and safer bet than a small boat on the Columbia. Have fun!
:grin: RIPPLE :grin:

marko · 07-11-2002, 08:35 AM

I spent last week at Nehalem. The crabbing was okay. We caught 14 keepers in 4 trips. Fish high or low slack-tides an hour or so each way. We determined it was time to quit when the nets only had small crabs. The Jetty Fishery and the Wheeler Marina are good places to rent nets and a boat. The best crabbing is right across from these two marinas and up by the state park boat ramp.
Remember the sunscreen and to put it on the tops of your ears.

Killertraylor · 07-11-2002, 08:39 AM

FYI, there are no small boat rentals in Chinook, Wa (I have moorage there) and I've never seen or heard of them in Ilwaco. It's also real early to get crab in Baker Bay - crabbing is best there in the fall, and even then most people crab in the main river. You're much better off to go to Nehalem, which is where it sounds like you're headed! Good luck!

[ 07-11-2002, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: Killertraylor ]