It's been awhile but at last the time was right to go crabbing again. Although the weather promised to be a cold summer day, it wasn't unbearably cold. The other folks crabbing on the dock were friendly and having fun. Other people were curious to see what critters were pulled up from the bay. It isn't allowed to keep Dungeness crabs for they breed in this area, and any Red or Rock Crabs need to have a shell width size of at least 4 inches. We have no interest in taking any with us anyway- just the joy of discovery, some temporary (and unwilling) pals, and then back to the water. Hopefully they can lead the good life of an A-1 scavenger.
Joined by our friends Michael and Z, it was bundle up, put some turkey or chicken meat into the pouch inside the net, and as you would a giant frisbee- fling the net into the water. Have the net tied to a long chord and be sure that all legs and feet are free of the flight of the chord. Wait 5-10 minutes and slowly pull up the net with hopeful anticipation. We had a lucky day today with catches of 1, 3, 4, 3, 3 crabs on our five throws. Plus the excitement of a big seal lion who would suddenly appear with a big whoosh and splash. He or she may have been interested in the bait or the catches of the fishermen. It seemed that the sea lion was also just curious and playful. Our last sighting he just floated beneath and watched. On our last pull of the 4 pieces of chicken that were in the net, we noted there was only 1+ left, with our inner pouch torn open.
Crabbing is a pretty easy thing to do, and fun. Plus it was an activity my Dad used to do when he was much younger so I always feel a little bit connected to my past and history.
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| pulling up #3 |
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| Dexter the brave, although a larger one got a good pinch out of him |
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| hamming yes but note that I really am concerned that he's going to latch onto my nostrils |
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| hey mister! throw me somethin'! |
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| Michael attempting to convince that crabs are good playmates for little children |
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| Z Crab King! |
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| Styling with a Dungeness |
And after all that hard work, time to pack up, return home and drift off to a sweet lazy nap.
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