Just like the rest of you, I owe my parents big-time, for many reasons. But when I bought them fishing licenses last Christmas, I gave them a pledge to take them out on my boat, and on that count I haven’t been a very good son. But this weekend I lived up to my promise, and we went crabbing out of Everett, Washington! I ran charters all summer and didn’t really get a chance to soak any crab pots for myself, let alone get my folks out on the boat. However, we are making up for it this winter with a great opportunity to go crabbing 7 days a week for the rest of the year!
Those 4 am summer alarm clocks are a distant memory. We were able to make a lazy launch at 8 am, after a coffee stop at Harbor Marine. By the way, their coffee is amazing, so stop on your way to the launch!
Puget Sound was a beautiful host for us this Sunday. Waters were like glass as we cruised along the edge of the Snohomish River delta. We headed north from the entrance of the river to soak 4 crab pots and 2 rings. We baited with salmon carcasses and cheap chicken legs. The tide was ripping out for the first few hours, but calmed down to the tide change.
We diligently worked the gear. Dad and I worked the pot puller, and Mom’s job was to measure any potential keeper crab. We found crabbing kind of slow until the tide slowed, then we picked up plenty of keepers! The three of us caught our limit of 15 Dungeness Crab and enjoyed a great family dinner the next evening! It was a great excuse to get the entire family together! What a great kick off to 3 months of winter crabbing in Puget Sound!
Get out there people, it’s well worth it when the weather forecast allows!
Check out WDFW Crabbing Regulations
Queets River Salmon Fishing Float
