Crabbing is a Pacific Northwestern pastime as old as the crustaceans themselves. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or a greenhorn looking for a unique way to feed your family, crabbing along the Oregon Coast (or any coast for that matter) is a great way to spend the weekend. In this article, we’ll dive into the basic techniques of crabbing, the types of crab we target here in Oregon (and most of the PNW), and the gear you’ll need to get started.
Species of Crab in the Pacific Northwest
For the sake of simplicity we’re going to cover the two main types of crab that are caught and sought after in the great state of Oregon; the Dungeness and the red rock. These two types of crab differ in taste, texture, color, and temperament. I know you might be thinking, “temperament? What is he talking about?”
Red Rock Crab
In my experience red rock crabs are significantly more aggressive than their Dungeness counterparts and their pinch is much stronger. Anytime I pull a pot and find a crab missing a limb, I can almost guarantee that there will be a red rock clutching the severed limb in its own claw, waving it around as if it were some sort of trophy. (I suppose it kind of is). They’re also more likely to pinch you so be careful when pulling these little dudes from your pot or trap.
Red rock crabs have a much denser shell than Dungeness crabs. These scarlet-shelled monsters have more lenient restrictions than Dungeness as well. Always check your current regulations before you begin hunting or angling of any sorts. The meat of a red rock crab is sweet and delicate, similar to Dungeness, but not quite the same.
Dungeness Crab
When you go crabbing in the Pacific Northwest, Dungeness is the main species of crab that folks are gonna be targeting and looking to keep. They are more regulated in Oregon (and other states as far as I know) and considered to be a delicacy. While I mentioned earlier that red rock crabs are more aggressive than Dungeness, that doesn’t mean that Dungeness crabs won’t pinch you, because they will.
Their shells are quite a bit softer than that of a red rock and their body shape and color varies from their counterparts as well. Dungeness crabs are purplish in color along the back with tawny legs.
Again, it’s critical that you always check your local regulations regarding bag limits as well as sex and size restrictions. As this article is being written, you are only permitted to keep a certain number of male Dungeness crabs of a particular size.
Crabbing Gear Essentials
One of the things that I’ve always found appealing about crabbing is that it can be as simple as you’d like it to be. It’s a sportsman’s activity that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to get into. With a few simple pieces of gear and some decent outdoor clothing, you can start catching crab today!
Types of Crab Traps
There are three main types of crab traps that you’ll encounter in most sporting goods stores/ marine suppliers. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Crab Rings – These are generally the most cost effective and common type of trap you’ll come across as a non-commercial crab fisherman. It’s comprised of two metal rings that are connected by netting with chainlink and a bait bag on the bottom ring and retrieval ropes attached to the top ring.
The idea is it sits flat on the ocean floor, and the crustaceans come in to eat the bait. As you pull your retrieval ropes the top hoop lifts up and traps your catch inside.
- Pros – Cheap, easy to find, and simple to operate.
- Cons – Due to the nature of this trap, it must be retrieved more often than other types otherwise you risk the crabs escaping. They’re also not as durable as other types of traps
Box Crab Traps – Box traps are great for crabbing for a number of reasons. These traps can be cost-effective as well (under $50). They’re usually a foldable rectangular or square shape that has doors on two sides with a steel bait box in the center. The trap sits on the ocean floor, crabs walk into the trap and begin to feast, but due to how the door is designed they can’t escape.
- Pros – Inexpensive, reasonably easy to find, durable, and simple to store. They also don’t have to be retrieved as often as crab rings and offer a larger bounty every time you pull them.
- Cons – Can be heavy to retrieve.
Crab Pots – Crab pots are the most durable type of crab trap available. They’re a large circular trap with doors on two sides like the box trap. The height of a crab pot is generally going to be higher than that of the box traps and since they don’t fold up, they’re much more durable. Commercial crab fishermen use crab pots up to 60″ in diameter! These traps are designed to catch as many crabs as possible each time they’re dropped.
Pros – Durable, simple to use, and high yielding. These traps don’t have to be retrieved often at all. Their round shape also helps prevent them from getting hung up on any obstructions.
Cons – Heavy and expensive when compared to the other type of traps we’ve discussed so far.
Crab Snares – Crab snares are simply a fun way to pass the time while waiting to pull your other traps. A crab snare is a small box or cylinder with bait in it and nylon snares hanging off it. The box is filled with your bait of choice and is attached to a fishing line on a traditional fishing rod/ reel. You cast it in the water, let it settle on the bottom then retrieve it after a few minutes. Ideally, crabs will be feeding on your bait, and upon your retrieval, one of its claws will be caught in the snare.
Pros – Cheap, simple to use, and fun.
Cons – You won’t catch a ton of crabs if this is your only type of trap.
You’ll notice that I didn’t mention the ‘pyramid’ style traps in this article. The reason for that is that I think they suck. They’re cheaply made, inconsistent, and ineffective. Avoid these at all costs.
What type of Bait Should I use for Crabbing?
There are countless types of commercial baits, scents, and food products that you’ll hear about when you first start doing research on crabbing. Just like any other type of fishing, everyone has their preferences, but I will try to break down different baits that I’ve used and had good or bad luck with.
- Chicken – I’ve found chicken legs to be the most effective crab bait. I like them because they’re cheap, they last a long time in my trap, aren’t very messy, and they’re easy to find. I even like to dump some crab attractant/ scent on my bait bag when it has chicken legs in it for some added help. Chicken legs are such a common crab bait here on the Oregon Coast, that I’ve been asked multiple times when buying them if “they’re for crabbing or for cooking?” You don’t have to stick to just legs. Try any parts you can! Keep in mind that something like chicken gizzards may work best in a tight knit bait bag rather than a more open bait box.
- Canned Fish – Tuna, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, or any other cheap oily fish work wonders as bait. Remember that these baits may be more smelly/ messy than others, but they’re certainly effective. Try to avoid buying quality canned tuna as bait, go to your local dollar store and pick up whatever cheap canned fish they have. Bait doesn’t need to be costly. Asking a local butcher for unwanted fish parts like heads is a great way to save money as well.
- Crab Scent/ Attractant – Liquid crab scents work great on their own, but I generally use them in addition to whatever bait I’m already using. Simply pour some of this smelly liquid on your bait bag or box before you toss your trap in the water and you’re good to go. Avoid getting this stuff on your clothing at all costs. I’m not joking when I say I had a hoodie that had a spot that smelled like fish on it for at least a dozen wash cycles.
When it comes to crab bait, it’s truly a method of trial and error. Don’t overcomplicate it. Crabs like smelly fish and meats. Try a variety of different chicken, fish, and other cheap meats in your trap and see what they like.
One final thing I’d like to say regarding bait is to avoid things like “crab pellets”. It’s basically dog food that costs $10 a pound, doesn’t last long, and truthfully doesn’t work that well.
Additional Gear
Here are some things that I may or may not have mentioned earlier:
- Shellfish license/ tags (check your local requirements)
- Copy of regulations
- A quality rain jacket and hat
- Rain boots (XtraTuf or Bogs are great)
- Cooler and/ or bucket
- Towel
- Neoprene gloves
- Extra rope (for your traps)
- Crab measurement gauge
- Chairs
- Snacks/ water
- Knife/multitool
- Anything else to keep your warm/ dry (hand warmers are great).
Where Can I Go Crabbing?
It’s going to be up to you to check the legality of an area that you’re interested in crabbing. Anywhere that has signs that blatantly prohibit the activity are going to be ones to avoid. Checking in with locals at a bait or marine shop is a good place to get started.
We’re not talking about commercial crab fishing here, so don’t think you need to buy a boat and sail the open ocean. Marinas and harbors are great places to go crabbing. If you don’t have a boat, you can just set up shop on a dock tie off your traps and get to work. You can cover a lot more ground in a boat, but you can certainly have a successful yield just fishing from a pier.
The best time of day to crab is during ‘slack tide‘. This is a time period in which the tide isn’t rising or falling. Meaning that the water you’re working won’t have much of a current and the crabs on the ocean floor are more active. With that being said, I have done fairly decent during all times of day.
Just be careful if the current is ripping. The last thing you want is a pot full of crabs to get stuck under a dock during a strong current and be unable to retrieve it.
How do I Keep Crabs Alive Until I'm Ready to Cook Them?
For those of you who don’t know, crabs have to be kept alive until they’re ready to cook. While there is a small window where they’re still safe to eat if they die, they begin decomposition much quicker than other wildlife. So you might be asking “how do I keep them alive after catching them?”
When I first started crabbing this was a question I had and I couldn’t find a definitive answer to. However, after some research I found a few times and the best method I’ve found is as follows:
- Get a cooler, fill it with ice.
- Take a towel and dampen it (preferably with sea water, but freshwater will do.
- Place the towel over the ice
- Lay the crabs on the towel
- Don’t close the cooler lid completely otherwise the crabs will suffocate. I like to use a pen or a pencil and lay it horizontally between the lid and the cooler itself so it’s propped open just enough to allow oxygen in.
A Simple Way to Cook and Serve Crab
Well, you’ve caught your share of crab and now you’re asking how should I cook them? I like to keep it simple with crab rolls. This method works with Dungeness or red rock, and is easy-peasy. The hardest part is cleaning/ shelling them out. First, you’ll need a few things:
- Whole, live Dungeness or red rock crabs
- Crab crackers
- 2-3 lemons
- 1 Stick of butter
- Sourdough bread or outdoor rolls
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Salt
- Mayo (optional)
- Pepper
- Potato chips of your choice
- Pickles of your Choice
- Bring a large pot of water (enough to cover your the crabs) to boil.
- Place live crabs in pot.
- Season water and crabs with a GENEROUS amount of Old Bay
- Allow boiling until the shells of the crabs have turned to a bright orangish/ red (like in the title photo). This can take 10-20 minutes depending on the size of your catch.
- Once the crabs are done, clean them.
- Toast buns or bread with mayo or butter
- Melt stick of butter
- Place crab meat in toasted buns/ bread
- Drench with butter and lemon
- season to taste
- Enjoy with chips and pickles.
Closing Thoughts
Crabbing is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors and also consume fresh food that you’ve harvested yourself. Anytime I have a meal that I harvested a component of myself, I always enjoy it a bit more. There’s something incredibly satisfying about knowing the work that went into it. It’s also one of the few activities that can be enjoyed year-round (at least here in Oregon).
Get yourself a trap or two, a shellfish license, and get to crabbing! Be sure to bring someone you care about along for the ride. As an outdoor enthusiast, it’s your job to hand the torch to those close to you and continue the traditions we enjoy as outdoorsmen/women.