Mixed reviews from inside Tomales Bay. A few guys have done very, very well, and many others have only scratched up a few Dungeness. My guess is that it means that the right bait in the right place at the right time, while always important, is even more so now. The guys that are catching are dropping nets very close to the guys that aren't, yet somehow their hoops have more crab. Squid and rockfish heads seem to be good, but the right spot is even more key. The bite has also been better around the turn of the tide, unsurprisingly, as the ripping tides we have the rest of the day aren't good for much but losing gear. But, those currents are REALLY good at gear theft.  Even if you weight your hoop enough to stay put in the current, the buoys can sink under, and even better, the dunes in the channel can drift over your hoop and bury it. Stick to the slower water, where ever and whenever that might be. Speed kills. Outside of Tomales Bay proper, the outer bay has mostly been slow but a guy yesterday caught 60 crab in less than two hours. So there's crab, but you probably won't catch them. Ten Mile has been similar with a better minimum catch but not a consistent good result. It's mostly just okay. But often okay is good enough. Actually, that's the definition, isn't it?

   Also, a report from nearby: "Hi Willy:

Monday I was at the west side of Bodeqa Bay Harbor entrance snare crabbing. There were about 15 lines in the water and for the 1.5 hours I was there only 1 small (and kept) rock crab was pulled in.

At noon on Tuesday, I checked out he south side (Doran Beach Park) of the harbor entrance. About 20 shore based rigs were in the water. A fellow said he had 1 keeper and didn't see any others caught. Most were pulling in tons of sea weed. And the bank was littered with piles of seaweed.

Near that spot, there were several kayakers crabbing not far off the beach. They were having success.

While crabbing on the west side, I met a very nice fellow named Darin who said he fishes lots for stripers and snare crabs at Lawson's. I wish I had gotten his email/text. But he left before I thought of getting it. He said he was a contractor and living in Sebastopol. By chance do you know of him? . If so, I would sure like to connect with him.

Best,

Ron." I don't have his contact info, Ron, but if he emails me at lawsonslanding@gmail.com I will forward it to you. Your report reminds me of the title of a Cheech and Chong movie: Things Are Tough All Over. But, unlike in the movie, there are some Dungeness out there if you are lucky, smart and determined. And lucky.