Columbia River crabbing

TyBoo · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:19 pm Post subject: Columbia River crabbing

Here are a few pictures of the last few day's adventures.

The crabbing has been so good (the wind, not so much!) that the new pot puller is down to costing only me $5.29 per crab and dropping.

This is a 150# Yellowtail Tuna brought up from southern CA. It is at my son-in-law's shop at the Hammond marina (Sturgeon Paul's).

And here are eight packages of steaks from it for me to smoke. It is incredibly good smoked.

Blueback · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:37 pm Post subject: Re: Columbia River crabbing

TyBoo · Last edited by TyBoo on Mon Nov 30, 2015 1:39 am; edited 1 time in total

I give away most of the crab. It is not difficult to do! Some of it I freeze after cleaning. I wrap it in freezer paper and vacuum pack it. The paper is just to keep the crab legs and sharp body shell pieces from puncturing the plastic bag. It keeps real good for up to a month in the freezer before it starts to dry out. Never a problem - I can always get rid of it in a short while.

The pot is one size smaller than the commercial ocean pots. There are two side entry gates.

The success is due to the crab being plentiful in the salty river mouth. Today's bait was fresh tuna carcass pieces. Usually I use turkey or chicken - whichever is cheapest.

TyBoo · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:51 pm Post subject:

And here are three videos that show what I mean by the wind being not so good.

Here we are at anchor today waiting for the crab to crawl into the pots (Youtube).

Here is today, looking for the crab pot floats (Youtube).

This is Thursday on the way back to the dock after deciding it was a little rough for crabbing (Youtube).

TyBoo · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:08 am Post subject:

And here is a picture of the dog who has had quite enough of the bouncing boat, thank you.

hardee · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:09 am Post subject:

Thanks for the fun video. Hard to judge the wave height on the anchor one, maybe 1-2.5 feet. Got some rock and roll going for sure. It looks like that CBRAT burgee is trying to escape.

Glad you are getting some boat time in.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

TyBoo · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:04 am Post subject:

Yeah, I need to fashion something up to hold the bottom of the burgee down the staff where it belongs.

The downside of getting the boat time in was the trip to the Astoria fuel dock this afternoon. The TyBoo took on 91 gallons of premium priced non-ethonol fuel. Oof. But on the way back to the home port it occurred to me that I did not have to go to work next week and the boat has a full tank of gas and that felt real good.

Blueback · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:43 am Post subject: Re: Columbia River crabbing

Chester · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:22 am Post subject:

Mmmm, crab. Mr. Green

TyBoo · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 8:48 pm Post subject:

Another good day. Three limits. The wind was still out there stacking up the water so we kept the first 36 legals with no hygrading.

Saw Tom and Rene out there on Primative. They had half their family aboard. So nice to see them after so long. They are delightful folks. Tom called me a while later and said they got their limits, too.

Here are a couple of sun blurred pictures. You can see how great the day was!

Here is the aftermath of my little mishap getting the rip cord for the inflatable life vest hung up in a crab pot as I tossed it over.

B~C · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:20 pm Post subject:

yer having to much fun.........you deserve it

Rain · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:18 pm Post subject: Any left?

Did you leave any crabs?

Nice photos!