I see you're at the Pacifica pier in Nor Cal. I'm fairly new to the whole crab fishing scene. I have some questions. 1. Why do people at Pacifica Pier use snares over pots (mostly)? 2. Do seal lions take baits from snare cages too (as they do with pot cage) in which case, you will zip tie the cage door? 3. Using a snare and line, how heavy should the cage be?
In CA, both males and females can be taken as long as they are over 5 3/4" although some consider it bad ettiquite. Check out Department of fish and wildlife for complete regulations. 10 max per person per day and Season starts Nov 2nd. Happy Crabbing
Can't wait to get back out on the water. We have current restriction in Northern California during whale migrations. No dropping pots yet. Your video was super helpful alternative until we get back out off the coast.
I made something similar because crabs kept eating my bait (salmon scrap & fresh bait) So I put fishing line with slip knots to my weight. Figured might as well since we werent catching any hali that day. It works. I like crab snaring much better than using the large crab cages that can be stolen after you leave them somewhere or have someone come along and empty your trap before you get back to it. Thanks.
I just found out about crab snaring this morning. How do you decide what size box to use and what do you use for bait? Is there a restriction on snare box size? This looks like fun! One more question....what kind of rods do you use (length, action, power, etc)? Thanks for the informative video!
You can pretty much use any size you like. The one he shows in the vid is a pretty good size. You can also go for the square ones which hold a bit more bait, and work just as well. Restrictions on your crab snare is going to depend on what state you're in. As for bait, I've tried various types of fish, squid, chicken hearts and gizzards, chicken meat, and chicken livers, and they all work just as well. The main determinate seems to be when and where you are crabbing at.
Thanks again, Alex. Is there a best time of the year for crabs? And, what lenght and power of rod do you like? I'm visiting LA in July. Is there a good pier that you can suggest for this in LA area? I appreciate your replies.
Alan Case Np Alan :) I found a 10' rod works best for casting farther while still being fairly easy to handle. Unfortunately I live in NorCal so I have no idea where good crabbing spots are at in Socal ;(
+Alan Case I use weed whacker cord with metal crimps. The cage is coated fencing available at home depot. You can also just buy the for about $7 on ebay.
In Washington you can not take the female crabs, its illegal. I noticed a few of yours were female. Is the law different in California on female dungenss?
Wow! What are the odds! I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the clips at Pacifica Pier. I'm from Daly City and I've only recently picked up fishing/crabbing as a hobby, but I was wondering if you happened to know where I could buy chicken necks locally? After doing some internet research, chicken necks seemed to be the best bait according to the general consensus. I've tried Safeway and Pacific Supermarket but no luck. Thanks!
I frequent fishing piers up here in the northwest specifically Seattle/Tacoma and the Washington coast. with a little over 5 years experience crab fishing, I found that the best bait to use is squid. Also, mackerel and turkey necks if you can't get a hold of squid.
Nice haul of dungies! :D I don't go to Pacifica Pier much b/c it's usually super windy with huge waves. I usually wind up at Fort Mason or HMB more myself.
***** For pier crabbing, I find Fort Mason to yield much more crabs in general. However you can keep dungies in HMB as opposed to Fort Mason which is part of SF Bay.
Nigga day billions of crabs ..I ain't throwing none back and gonna catch all I cans I'll catch a thousand of Dem if I cans and won't throw none Dem back
I know this is an old video but guys let the females go , how do you think you will have a sustainable fishery if you take the breeders , those females will breed more crabs , taking them is just irresponsible, if you want to keep crabing into the future something to think about .
+Shahrilhady Shahfee There inexpensive around five dollars and up. But you can also google how to make your own. You may even have the material laying around at home.
Just like you tie yo shoes ..just cross de line push one inn under pull both da inns hard ..do dat about 10 times over ..dat duh best knot and it easy to ties it to yo pole
Did you really just admit to keeping and cooking the females? And you cook them whole and clean them first that is so gross and hard to clean them after they're cooked
You guys probably don't really know how lucky you are to be able to catch crab....fresh free crab. We who are landlocked have to spend $60 to eat a lb of frozen crab legs.
Jim Craig What is the reasoning behind it being illegal? It seems pretty sporting for the crab? Is your fish and game department just trying to make it harder for us without boats? Just curious. Thanks for any help.
