| Catching Dungeness on the Oregon Coast is a | | | | measurement of the crab will also determine a |
| year-round sport in the estuaries, coastal | | | | keeper. As long as the male crab measures |
| rivers and tidal bays. In theDungeness Crab | | | | five and three forths inches across the back |
| on the Oregon Coast ocean, crab season is | | | | of the shell, not including the points, |
| closed from August 15th through November | | | | consider him dinner! Now, the adventure |
| 30th. The best weather to go in is mild to | | | | begins! Crabs are usually caught by using |
| sunny weather. Sustained rains bring fresh | | | | crab rings or crab pots. You can have up to |
| water. They are salt-water creatures and | | | | three of these devices per person. Lower the |
| heavy rains force them out to sea because of | | | | baited (use chicken, fish, turkey, etc) rings |
| the sudden lack of salt water. To stay on the | | | | or pots into the water, wait about 5 - 7 |
| right side of the law, you need to get | | | | minutes, pull them up and see what you have. |
| yourself a license if you are 14 and over. | | | | If you come up empty handed, move them to a |
| The licenses are not that expensive (call the | | | | different spot and try again. The ideal spots |
| local chamber of commerce for prices) and | | | | are ones with very little current. You can |
| they are available for three day or year | | | | leave the crab pots in the water for a bit |
| long. This is for both in-state and | | | | longer than the rings. The local bait shops |
| out-of-state residents. Legally, you can only | | | | in town will be able to hook you up with the |
| keep the males. The females must be let go. | | | | gear you need. Once caught, they need to be |
| You can determine a male from a female by | | | | cooked as soon as possible, preferably within |
| checking their underside. Males have thin | | | | the hour. The catch limit is 12 per day. Once |
| tail-like piece while the females have a | | | | you taste a juicy, Dungeness crab, you will |
| round, wide piece. It's pretty easy to tell | | | | think you have died and went to heaven! |
| them apart once you see them both. The | | | | |