Scooping up Delicious Dungeness Crabs

TIPS AND TRICKS TO PULL YOUR LIMIT IN THE STATE OF OREGON

Three hours before high tide. We’ve checked the boat. It still starts. That’s key. We load it up with rings, pots, and boxes. We’re going crabbing. On the Oregon Coast. Yes – you heard me. OREGON. Oregon Girl and crew are back around the world for a month visiting family and friends. In Oregon. It’s a little surreal. In the best way. Don’t worry Denmark, we’ll be back. But for now, we’re soaking up, tasting, seeing, and hugging all those things and people that we missed. It’s good.

(Originally posted July 2016, up-to-date as of September 2022)

Have you been crabbing? I have done this in Oregon for as long as I can remember. Maine may have their “lobstahs,” but here on the Pacific Northwest Coast, we hunt Dungeness Crab. Growing up in Eugene – a university town that sits mid-state off I-5 in western Oregon – we frequent the central Oregon coast between the little towns of Florence and Newport. And we’re more than lucky that my mom loves sharing her coast house. We spend most of our time in charming and quirky, but oh so cozy Yachats. (Around here, locals pronounce it YAW-hots. Not yeah-chats. It is an anglicized title originating from an indigenous Native American name and some claim it loosely translates to “dark water at the foot of the mountain.” You can more about the people that populated this place before colonization here.)

SEEK OUT YACHATS ON THE CENTRAL OREGON COAST

GOING CRABBING IN ALSEA BAY AT WALDPORT, OREGON

When in Yachats, we love taking my Dad’s boat out for crabbing. My mom drives it now. But today, she is happy to relinquish the wheel and help with the crabbing technique. We drive the eight miles north up Highway 101 to Waldport where the Alsea River runs to the sea. This is our crabbing place. Yours too? Many others favor the beautiful bay here and it can be quite busy on weekends and holidays when crab is in season.

Today, we are lucky. Independence Day festivities are complete and most holiday celebrants have packed up. The bulk of them returned east over the winding forested roads of the coast range back to homes up and down the Willamette Valley. (Pronounced Will-AM-ette. Another co-opted indigenous namesake.) This year, the 5th of July falls on a weekday and we only have to share the bay with five to six other boats.

FOLLOW OREGON STATE CRABBING REGULATIONS

Crabbing in Oregon is state regulated to keep populations stable and sustainable. Not an Oregon resident? You can still crab here. No problem. We’ll let you. We like you. Just buy a one-day visitor’s license for each crabber over 12 years of age. Are you a resident of this fine state? Your license is valid for the year. Bonus for you – it’s a shellfish license – so you’re good to go to collect all manner of mollusks including but not limited to; butter clams, razor clams, cockles, gaper, littleneck, and softshell clams. Purple varnish clams, mussels, and giant geoducks (pronounced gooey duck – I have no idea why. But it is. Just trust me.) If you can catch ’em – you can also take squid, octopus, sand crabs, and kelp worm. But eeuw. Who would do that? Seriously. Kelp worm? Hard pass.

REMEMBER TO GET A CRABBING LICENSE

Where to get this amazing access to all things shellfishy? At any Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office of course. Or online here before you head to the coast. Didn’t plan ahead? Licenses are easy to pick up at most hardware or sporting goods stores up and down the coast. In Waldport, we get all our essentials at Dock of the Bay Marina right at the Alsea Port. Oregonians – don’t forget to bring your license as proof of residency.

The friendly, helpful, knowledgable staff at Dock of the Bay can get you legal and set up with rings, bait, snacks, and tips. You can throw your traps in right off the nearby dock – but keep kids safe and remember life jackets are essential for kids under 12. Even older, if yours aren’t good swimmers. The water here is chilly and does have some current.

BRING ALONG BAIT AND STRONG BAIT BOXES

It’s a little windy today. But the sun is shining and the sky is an unfiltered bluebird blue. Breathe it in. I love that salty, kelpy, sea smell. We launch successfully after a little uncertainty as to who would cast the lines off and jump in the last second. My 15-year-old executed perfectly and we’re off without drama. As we cruise away from the dock, up the river to the bay, we set up bait boxes filled with a mixture of chicken pieces and frozen fish heads.

LOOK OUT FOR HARBOR SEALS AND SEA LIONS

Harbor seals and sea lions are prevalent here and we spy a huge grouping sunning and splashing on the sand bar before we head underneath the Alsea Bay Bridge. To keep the curious and potentially pesky seals from absconding with our bait, we strap down the bait boxes to the centers of each ring and pot. Many times the seals are able to MacGyver those things open and even steal the whole box straight off. The large brown mischievous eyes not quite as charming when this happens, as they watch us as keenly as we watch them before they turn and slip back below the surface. Our dog is supremely interested in them.

WHERE TO PUT IN YOUR POTS AND WHEN

All traps loaded, baited, and hopefully seal-proofed, we pick a corridor that runs along the beach towards the mouth of the river and start dropping down pots in a line. The depth finder on board helps keep us off the sand bar and determines where and when we plunk in those readied pots. We aim for about 15′-20′ of water with the length of our lines and where we think we’ll find the most critters. Crabbing is best in the two hours before slack tide after high tide is at its peak. The water stops moving and the crab can look for food without being pushed around by the tide.

GOOD TO KNOW: *[Crabs] may be taken using crab rings, baited lines or pots (limited to 3 ring/lines/pots total per person)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

TIME TO START PULLING UP POTS AND HOPEFULLY CRABS

Once all the pots have been deposited, we circle back to the start of the line and start pulling. This is the fun part. Today we forgot the crab trap hook we normally use to snag the lines and have to rely on well-executed boat maneuvering with an old-fashioned reach and grab technique. Roll up your sleeves, it’s gonna get a little wet. The water is cool, not frigid – but no one is eager to take a swim.

The specific pulling technique depends on what style of trap you have, but unless you are using boxes where the crab walks in to get the bait and can’t get back out – you are going to have to pull quickly. Some speed is required to keep the collapsible sides from falling down and releasing potential keepers. It is THE WORST when you get the ring to the top and watch big guys swim out over the side.

YOU CAN ONLY KEEP MALE CRABS OF A CERTAIN SIZE

In Oregon, you are not allowed to keep any females. Throw them back. They got a job to do. Procreate my crustacean sister. Keep the population up. Once you know the difference – it is easy to spot the boys from the girls. Pull the pot. Bring it on board. Careful! Don’t tip or toss any overboard in the process. Time to check for keepers. Female? Back in the drink. Too small? Back in for you too.

How do you know? Take a measurer before you go. Attempt to keep any underage specimens, get caught by authorities, and be prepared to pay a hefty fine. Not worth it. Compared to the size limits in our neighboring states California and Washington, Oregon can legally take the smallest. But don’t take the babies – give ’em a little “grow-big-good-juju” and send them on their way. Gently. Please.

GOOD TO KNOW: * Correct size is measured as a straight line across the back (caliper measurements) in front of, but not including the points.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

FAMILY BONDING NORTHWEST STYLE

We have a good start today with two keepers in our first pull. Within two hours, when the tide reaches slack – we garner 18 keepers. There are even several huge ones – legal in California! It was a good day. No family records, but way better than being skunked. We’ve had plenty of those days too. And even though it is more fun to catch crabs (Dungeness crabs people – don’t be gross), any time spent out on the water with family is good for the soul. With three generations out here doing something together, it is prime family bonding.

TIME TO HEAD HOME AND COOK OUR CATCH

Seagulls screech overhead as we empty the remains of the bait boxes and toss them overboard. An easy dinner for them. Coming up, easy dinner for us. Back at home, we clean the boat and set the water on to boil. We only add salt to the water, preferring to let the crab’s natural flavor shine. It’s going to be hot in my big silver pot. When ready, we plunge in the crab one by one. Bring the water back to a boil and cook for 15 minutes.

HOW TO ENJOY YOUR FRESHLY CAUGHT OREGON DUNGENESS CRAB

The beautiful purple shells are now a brilliant reddish orange, the cooked crustaceans are set on ice to cool before cleaning. With a banner haul like we had today, it takes us two rounds to cook all 18 crabs. Maybe we need a bigger pot! Once cool, it is quite easy to clean a crab.

I use the male segment on the belly of the crab like a can tab and pluck off the entire back in one piece. Rinsing under water, remove all the inedible bits under the shell until you get to the white meat in the body cavity. With the legs still attached, you can find the center line and gently break it in half to serve. We like ours with melted butter, a little lemon (only me), fresh green salad, good crusty bread, and fresh steamed Oregon artichokes. A cold Willamette Valley Pinot Gris or golden craft wheat beer and you have a simple, casual, delicious, Oregon meal.

ENJOY THE SLOW PACE AND SOCIAL NATURE OF A CRAB FEAST

Have bowls ready for shells and artichoke leaves. And keep plenty of napkins nearby. Crab dinner is slow and determined and social. It takes time to eat. Especially when you procure more than your crowd can consume. Now it’s time for picking, chatting, and sipping. Crab meat keeps for days and can be used in a million different ways. Classic in our house is toasted open-faced crab sandwiches, crab quesadillas, or crab omelets. Yes, please. How do you enjoy your crab?

Crab techniques, baits, boxes, and recipes are all highly personal and oft contested. Have a different way? Please share in the comments below. Read here for up-to-date limits, regulations, and license information in the State of Oregon.

As of December 2019:

Daily limit for Dungeness crabs is 12 per person, minimum size of 5 3/4″

• 5-3/4″ minimum size for Dungeness crab
• Correct size is measured as a straight line across the back (caliper measurements) in front of, but not including the points.
• Ocean waters are closed for Dungeness crab Oct. 16 – Nov. 30.
• Bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers, and jetties are open all year, 24 hours a day.
• May be taken using crab rings, baited lines, or pots (limited to 3 ring/lines/pots total per person); by hand, dip net, or rake.
• Holding pots or devices, or live boxes are allowed only in bays and estuaries, and may not hold more than two daily limits.
• Unlawful to mutilate crabs prior to landing so that size, sex, or species may not be identified. Mutilated crabs may not be transported across state waters.
• Floating buoys used for crab pots or rings must be marked in a visible, legible and permanent manner. The information must include the owner’s first and last name or business name, and at least one of the following: a) permanent address, b) phone number, c) ODFW ID number, or d) a vessel ID number. This rule does not apply when crabbing from a beach, jetty, or pier.
• Source: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

And if you’re planning an Oregon Coast road trip? Don’t skip little Yachats. Recommendations for where to stay are below. Cheers from Oregon this time! Happy crabbing! Erin

NEED A PLACE TO STAY

In Yachats, check out the Overleaf Lodge, the Adobe, or Deane’s Oceanfront Lodge.

Or search for your own here:

Booking.com

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