Crab Snaring: Best Way to Catch Crab 

Hilarious!

Thank you. I'll work on putting one together. I appreciate the recommendation.

Thanks Sarah.

Thanks brother definitely need to get out there when you're healed up!

Thanks brother, the hardest part is waiting for a keeper.

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback.

Awesome! I hope you both get your limits! Let me know how you do. Best of luck!

@@SoundFishing2020 Will Do

I really appreciate that. Thank you. I remember when I was stationed in Kentucky watching lots of saltwater videos, so I can relate. I hope to run into you one day on the beach. Thank you again!

Yeah none in Chicago either 😢

You can do it! The first time is the hardest, but the reward is worth it.

It was definitely tougher for sure but it makes for great razor clam tides! I hope to see you out there one of these trips. Cheers!!!

@@SoundFishing2020 definitely. I am there mid February again. Keep up the great work with your videos. Nothing better than living the PNW life. Cheers.

Absolutely! Looking forward to it. Thanks again and best wishes!

Thank you. The crabhawks work pretty good. As far as the snares, I made them myself. I've been working to perfect them, and I think they're pretty dialed in. Lots of trial and error to get them where they are today.

Absolutely.

You are 100% correct.

These are snares I made... I've finally got them dialed in pretty good. I've used the same ones over the past 3 trips with no issues.

@@SoundFishing2020do you sell these snares

I do sell them locally. The airfly snares on Amazon also work well. I put a link to them in the description.

Westport Fishing Pier is excellent. I've also caught crab off the North Jetty in Ocean Shores. Tokeland is also fairly productive. Best of luck out there!

Thanks Tom, I look forward to it! Many thanks! Aloha Mike@@SoundFishing2020

@user-de3hx9rf5y also, the N Jetty on the Columbia is good too if you want to make the drive.

I highly recommend 8000 series reels especially since you'll likely hook several big crab at one time. I use the Diawa BG, and it is supberb. Whatever you do, dont skimp out on the reel. I've heard really good things about the crab snare special rods. WP is great and open year round. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions and I'll get back to you.

I may even move up to a 10000 series. Ever think about marketing your crab snares?

Yes only local due to shipping cost. If individual is willing to pay shipping also then I would be willing to sell. $15 plus shipping.

Thank you

High tides are always better because the crabs come into the bays from the ocean. Low tides are not as good as some crabs are pushed out to sea, and there is a lot of fresh water in the bay. After really heavy rain storms with flooding, crabbing can be really poor to nonexistent. The saltier the water the better.

The best time to crab is 1 hour before to 1 hour after after high or low tide (high tides being better). This period is known as slack tide, and the current almost comes to a stop. This enables crabs to move around easier and helps them find food (hopefully your bait).

The reel is an 8000 series to handle the weight of multiple crabs. The rod is 10-12 feet in length and able to cast 4-8 oz (lure weight). I also use 50lb braid as it helps in case it rubs against rocks, barnacles, etc. My snares are more durable I hand make each to ensure the loops are made correctly. Meaning the loops will stay open after casting and only close once I lift the rod. I also use sturdier wire in the cage. I've been using the same snares for the last 4 trips. The crabs aren't able to bend them. Hope this helps and be sure to let me know if you have any other questions.

I'm unfamiliar with the Ocean Shores side. All of the crabbing I do is in Westport or Tokeland. You could try throwing snares off the North jetty. Sorry, I'm not much of a help. Best of luck, though.

I've used that and also 100lb monofilament. I've noticed no difference except for price. The blue was less expensive.

I use 65lb braid.

Steve & Maria, I strongly recommend a good reel in the 8000 series range. I use the Diawa BG 8000 saltwater reel and love it! After several years it still performs like new. For a rod, I recommend the Okuma Crab Snare Special Rod or an Okuma Longitude. I use the Longitude in the 11' and 12' model. I like the 11' because it's a little easier to manage, but the 12' does cast about 10% further for what that's worth. Finally, I recommended braided line 65lbs in a high vis color is great because it helps you see where your snare is and helps keep others from casting over you since they can see it too. That and the strong line ensures I get my snares back. Hope this helps and you both catch a lot of crab!

Hi, I placed the items I use in the video description. Hope you're able to get out and get some crab.

This was in February. I've had really good luck in April too. Should pick up and improve in the coming weeks.

Sometimes the crab get really aggressive and won't let go. It's a pretty fun and exciting surprise especially when fishing with a line and hook! I bet that was pretty fun to reel in.

Yea, I thought I caut a dog fish, and I got really surprised wen it was a crab

A strange and surprising catch for sure.

These are the ones I make myself. I did put the name of another snare in the description of this video. Those snares work really well, and I used them for years before making them myself.

Thank you.

I have an Amazon link in the description for the snares.

Another good method... thanks for sharing 👍

@@SoundFishing2020 That's the "legal" method.

Again, that is a way, and yes, WDFW recommends that way. However, there are other ways to determine softshell crabs... color, barnacle and algae growth, and weight, to name a few. You can also use the method I used, which Oregon State University and other sites refer to as the Pinch test: Holding the crab in one hand, pinch the large section of one of the walking legs. If the shell gives, the crab is still in its soft-shell form and will not be good eating. I've used this method my entire life and been checked by WDFW officers with no issues. There are many ways to do the same thing. Thanks again for sharing.