Shameless crabbing request

[Stein]

Get a bait bin, they are metal mesh and the crabs can see and poke into it to keep interested but they can't get the bait quickly.  There are bags too, but the metal boxes last forever.  I think John's sells them for $5.95, best price around.  There are other things down there like shrimp, sand fleas, etc, so it won't last forever but you can get a couple days worth if you want to crab that long.

The ones we have are secured by a bungee to the top of the pot, it keeps the bait up a bit higher for better scent circulation and in my mind it will hold more crab and keep the doorways more open for others to join the party, but we did fine with the crab on the bottom too.

https://johnssportinggoods.com/product/crabbing-shrimping/crab-shrimp-gear/trap-accessories/smi-crab-trap-bait-box-19285/

[Mech]

So how do you use clams for bait?
We have tons of clams here.
Do you just fracture and bag them?
Are there any special tricks?
Is it legal to harvest and use local clams for bait?
Thanks.
Mech.

[WSU]

Break the shell and put them in a bait cage. Big clams like horse clams are great.

[throwingsticks]

So how do you use clams for bait?
We have tons of clams here.
Do you just fracture and bag them?
Are there any special tricks?
Is it legal to harvest and use local clams for bait?
Thanks.
Mech.

Yes that is a legal use of clams and fun facts, the Department of Health shellfish closures are not legally binding so you can dig clams during the health closure for bait.

[Mech]

Sweet.
I am a frugal guy so this helps a lot.
Thanks.

Live crab at the PA fish buyer cost $68 for 4 large ones 2 years ago.
I paid that once.

Angry Perch,
I have a boat as well.
I also have a bunch of kayaks.
Kayaks are so much easier to deal with on short trips.
The cheap ones at Walmart work just fine for short runs.

I am totally interested to hear your tales on this adventure.
Maybe we could swap notes?

If I might recommend,
Look for clam water.
Lots of that here.
Look at what others are doing.
Binoculars help.
Go cheap.
Lots of good used gear up here.

And have fun.
Mech.

[Angry Perch]

So how do you use clams for bait?
We have tons of clams here.
Do you just fracture and bag them?
Are there any special tricks?
Is it legal to harvest and use local clams for bait?
Thanks.
Mech.

Yes that is a legal use of clams and fun facts, the Department of Health shellfish closures are not legally binding so you can dig clams during the health closure for bait.

Does that apply to pollution closures as well as biotoxin closures?

[Stein]

DOH closures are safety related only, not legally binding.

WDFW closures are legally binding, you can't harvest shellfish on beaches closed by WDFW.  Their website shows what beaches are open and closed.

[Jpmiller]

My buddy bought a place in sequim with a dock, we chucked a pot off the end of it and ended up with a couple legal keepers in it. That's the extent of my crabbing knowledge but I've never pulled up an empty pot so.... 

[hard hunter]

If you can get them I recommend shad for bait.  I usually use shad or tuna carcasses and then put some chicken in to try and keep the seals/sea lions away.

[throwingsticks]

So how do you use clams for bait?
We have tons of clams here.
Do you just fracture and bag them?
Are there any special tricks?
Is it legal to harvest and use local clams for bait?
Thanks.
Mech.

Yes that is a legal use of clams and fun facts, the Department of Health shellfish closures are not legally binding so you can dig clams during the health closure for bait.

Does that apply to pollution closures as well as biotoxin closures?

What Stein said, some pollution closures are WDFW legally mandated closures some are not, it would depend on the area. I think there are some sewage outfalls that might permeant legal closures.
good luck, got limits for seven cards yesterday...

[Angry Perch]

So we finally got the boat out for the maiden voyage; Our first time in saltwater. Got out right at the afternoon high tide. We cruised around a bit and got ready to drop the first pot. Everything I do in my other boat is routine, from launching and retrieving, to running downriggers. Well, it's the exact opposite here. All new equipment, new boat, new everything. The crab pots came with the boat, fully set up. I grab the first pot, pull out the line and float and set them on top, bait it, close it, and toss it in... Of course I didn't notice that he had a little Velcro strap around the rope to keep it neat. So, we watch pot #1 sink into the abyss as I scramble for the boat hook. That was good for a laugh. We set the other three and moved on. Got out to where folks were/ had been shrimping, and dropped three pots. Cruised around, saw some porpoise, checked out some kelp beds, and drank some champagne. We only had a couple hours, so pulled the shrimp pots and got a whopping 6! First crap pot, nada. Second one a couple small females. third one, 3 fat dungeness, 6 3/4, 7 1/2, 7 1/2, and three nice rock crabs. Packed it up and headed in for a nice dinner. For the first trip, I'll chalk it up as a success!

Thanks for all the advice.

[rainshadow1]

AP, I can tell you where to catch shrimp, out on Dallas Bank, but it's a bit big open water, and deep... not sure if you're looking for that...

3 nice keepers in a couple hours is just fine! (Move the other pots over there!) Enjoy!

[Angry Perch]

AP, I can tell you where to catch shrimp, out on Dallas Bank, but it's a bit big open water, and deep... not sure if you're looking for that...

3 nice keepers in a couple hours is just fine! (Move the other pots over there!) Enjoy!

Hey, I'll take any info i can get!I wasn't too far away. Off the SW tip of Protection island. I know my bait was way too thick.

[Stein]

In MA6, spot shrimp season is closed so you would have to get the smaller mesh pots and chase the other varieties.  It's a bit easier as you can only shrimp 200', so pulling them by hand isn't as big of a hurdle.  Make sure you weight the pot and I really like running extra anchors.  Find areas with a slope in 150-175 and have at it, you will find them eventually.

They are smaller than spots, but you can keep 10 pounds a day.

[Angry Perch]

Ya, not sure I'm ready to dump cash on more pots, will be better prepared and informed next spring.