Hawk

Where i used to go crabbing lustrums ago is Monterey, CA pier & Moss landing......................we put jacksmelt heads, etc in the center of a net covered ring.................caught a lot most times.....................................

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on a mountain west of Wolf Creek...

southside_10

We went out into the ocean last Saturday out of Newport and threw out six pots and then went bottom fishing.

Here is a pic of one of our pots after a 3 hour soak. We took home over two limits of barnacle encrusted, hard shell crabs and limits of rockfish. It was a great day in the ocean.

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GraphiteZen

I am definitely thinking about getting a crap pot for my boat. I have a perfect little spot for it on the back. Do you need a license? If so whats the cost and regulations like?

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When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.

Hawk

Are yuu sure that's not a Porta-Potti ...BRO...................



j/k

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on a mountain west of Wolf Creek...

GraphiteZen

That is funny because I was just laughing at another person on a different site that made the same mistake.. hahah. Um yes, craB pot. I would never strap a porta-potty onto my boat.. I'm the person that uses my own TP as a shield against everything I touch when inside one...

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When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.

Scott

Zen,

You need a license and its $6.50.

GraphiteZen

I will be dropping it around the jetty, and I don't really know much about proper etiquette (I had to Merriam Webster that word wow I'm ashamed ). Obviously I stay out of the buoyed lanes and away from other pots, but where else would it be wrong to drop at? Any laws regarding this?

I know to stay away form the Coast Guard. One day I was trying to get a salmon and forgot a pen, I figured the Coast Guard station would have one, so I put up on the beach there climbed up the rocks and over their railing and boy as soon as I got within 20 feet of their door all the sudden there they were!! They asked me what I wanted and I said a pen so could mark my tag and he just kinda looked at me for a few seconds and started patting his pockets "Well... let me see here.." haha They were cool though they gave me a tour and some literature (this was when I was thinking about joining). Nice guys.

If you use fish bait the sea lions are really that bad? I have heard of them busting open pots to get at the bait. What bait would be best?

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When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.

Osprey

I've been told that also...I've never had sealions bother my pots, but I ussually use chicken or mink for bait. You can buy mink at the gas station on the dock at the marina in Newport.

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Ron
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Fishin's My Thing!But racing comes in a close second!!!

osmosis

you can also buy shad at the marina in newport.

fish does catch/attract more crab than the mink and chicken. They are scavengers but they key in on "local" or "normal" food sources more than chicken and mink it seems.
I like to use squawfish, shad, and squid - but anything you have should work.

Squaw/pikeminnow aren't salt water fish, but I prefer to use them as bait over tossing them into the bushes- and they work fine.

Confidence in what you are doing is key.

also you don't always want to drop away from other pots, sometimes theres a reason everyone is fishing one area. other times it helps to explore a little and find your own "hot spot". Just be curteous.

if you notice a crew sets gear in a straight line, stay out of their line but feel free to join in the area.

being polite on the water goes a long ways.

in newport by the CG station is a great place to sibiki for herring, not so great for crab most of the time. Drop your pots elsewhere and jig for some bait while you soak them! fish right next to the can that is near the CG station.

sea lions can be a pain, but in all of my experience crabbing they spend more time eating the females and undersize's that you toss back overboard as they slowly drift back to the bottom. It's truly relatively rare that your pot gets messed with - normally only rings get robbed.

my advice is:
take your time, be careful, watch your feet!, stay out of shipping/travel lanes, create a smooth working routine and stick to it! also double and triple check under your transom and under every seat for those damn 2" crab that like to hide - they become a nasty ticket if the cop decides to check your boat.

oh yeah.. using scent oils helps some days. I've used anchovy and herring from procure with good success, but I'm not gonna tell you what my favorite scent is - you'll need to experiment yourself.

Raincatcher

"sibiki for herring"? What the heck is that? Is that a real fishing term? Or did you make it up? I have soooo much to learn and not so much time to learn it all. haha
Barb

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Safety First! Fish Second!