Here's a couple of Thanksgiving reports. First up, Steve Brott:

   "Hello Willy,

Some crab were caught on the beach during Thanksgiving, namely a nice 6.5” beauty from my son Justin Brott who caught 6 keeper dungeness from shore for Thanksgiving dinner.

Lots of people fishing in the nice weather.

Walking thru the crowd I saw a gentleman holding this crab, maybe a spider crab? His name was D, from Sacramento. The crab was released.

Steve Brott"  Six keepers from the shore is a good number. I don't think most people did that well. Nice work, Justin! I think the crab is a kelp crab, officially, but we all call them spider crabs. I've heard they're good to eat but it seems the only meat would be in the claws. Kind of a waste of critter, so good on the release.

      Here's another crab report from Mike Parker: "Hello Mr. Vogler:

I've been reading your reports for a few years now. I just wanted to send you a message to say "thank you". Your reports are fun to read, very informative, and help my son and I as we try to navigate the greater Tomales Bay area. We have a small 16' boat and fish the area when the conditions allow. My son struggles with OCD and other issues but fishing/hunting keep him grounded. I've found the more time I get him outdoors the better he does. Fast forward a few years and we've done fairly well catching halibut in Tomales Bay and rockfish/ling cod out off Bird Rock and even caught a few salmon when we are able to fish them. This Thanksgiving, we tried Dungeness Crab after being given some hoops gifted to us from a cousin who passed away after a battle with a long illness. So, out in the boat that my Dad left me when he passed and with a few hoops from my cousin, we hit limits of large crabs outside the bay off Dillon Beach on Thanksgiving day. It was our first attempt. Anyway, I just felt you deserved a thank you for posting the information that you do. We aren't locals, amazing fisherman, or diehards. But getting out there has improved my sons health, improved our relationship, and provided us some pretty awesome meals. And you've played a part in that. So, thank you. I appreciate your work and appreciate you providing information when others might keep it to themselves. I wish you a happy 2026 and please keep posting. We appreciate you.

Mike "  Well, thank you back, Mike. I think your dad and cousin may have had a lot more to do with your crabbing success than I did, but hopefully I encouraged you to try it. It sounds like you did better than I did the previous week. You don't need to be a local, an amazing fisherman, or a diehard, but those guys are all good guys to talk to for information, so I try to get what I can share from them. It really is all about getting out into nature and spending time with people you love (or tolerate, I'm looking at you, Gage) , but if you can increase your odds with a little knowledge, why not increase your chance for dinner and a good story later? Good onya for getting the boy on the water. Less screens, more saltwater spray.