The numbers of crab seen on the opener dropped dramatically inside the bay by the next day. Things didn't get better on Monday or Tuesday. There's still Dungeness being caught but not that many. Even the reds are tough to get. Part of that could be the ripping currents for most of the day, but the fact that half the crab in the bay were caught on Saturday probably is a factor. Crabbing from a boat has been tough, but snaring from shore has been brutal. A few are being caught after the opener, but not many. Most of the ones coming in are caught around the turn of the tide. Boaters are doing better out in the ocean when they can get there. The late fall swell on Sunday through today has made getting out there safely a bit questionable. The boats that made it got some in the Outer Bay and did consistently well up near the Russian River.
Mike Martin sent a report over: "Hey Willy, late report but we did pretty well just off Duncan's Landing in about 75-90 ft of water. Saturday we had 40 for 4 people. We spread them out from 60 to 150ft and there were zero for the pots over 100ft. Once we found them it went fast. Sunday morning went back and dropped 6 promar pots/rings/hoops what ever they are called and got 30 legal crab in one pull after about 35 minute soak. Culled the biggest ones and only kept two nice limits and called it a day as the wind was coming up. Most people up there were doing good. It was a little lumpy going around the head but once past the college it was beautiful. " Those are officially hoops, even if they're conical. Nice work on the quick critters. It's good that you're getting your crab and removing your gear from the water quickly, thus reducing the chances for a whale interaction. I'm sure that's your motivation for success.
Sweet report Mike. Looks like the weather is better this weekend.
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