Salmon & Crab: Offshore Double
A year ago in this column I shared tips on doubling-up on salmon and crabs while fishing inside bays. This time, let’s take a look at offshore opportunities, where the fishing can be good, but the crabbing, second to none.
One of the best-kept secrets in the recreational crabbing world is the rich, offshore water harboring crabs. The sandy environment located just off the main beach and beyond the breakers creates an ideal crab habitat and receives little pressure from sportsmen. When seasons and weather conditions allow access to these sites, crabbing action can be top-notch.
Contrary to what many believe, heading as far as possible offshore is not necessarily the best crabbing option, so before going out to salmon fish, drop the crab pots. Sticking close to shore, in 20 to 75 feet of water where sand accumulates and crabs thrive, will yield high success. Oftentimes you need only travel a couple hundred yards over the bar or outside the mouth of a bay to access prime crabbing grounds.
To save time and prevent drifting while setting pots, bait them prior to leaving the dock. Secure baits in each pot, coil the rope and buoys atop the pots, then, once you reach the crabbing zone, quickly drop the pots. Pots are usually dropped in a straight line parallel to shore which will allow currents to carry scent from your bait along the sandy habitat crabs thrive in. Secure the bait from the top of the pot, so if sand does drift into the trap, it won’t cover the bait.
By staying close to shore, typically within 500 yards, rocky outcroppings and deep seas can be avoided. Rock structures claim numerous pots as they get permanently lodged between them. In addition, strong currents and deep runs can be avoided by working closer to shore. Pots tossed too far out are susceptible to being carried away by harsh currents and even large, seagoing vessels. When crabbing offshore, avoid dropping your pots in shipping lanes.
Hitting sandy and/or muddy bottoms will produce the highest crab catch. If you don’t have hi-tech’ sonar to read such features, purchasing a navigational marine map is the way to go. These maps, created by NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Association), can usually be found at marine shops and government offices, and they show in good detail the substrates present along the coastline.
Though seasonal openings and closures dictate when crabbing beyond bays can be practiced, if you’re prepared the success can be astounding. Not only will these waters yield more crabs than in bays, but on average, larger ones.