Crabbing in the San Juans

[Ripper]

 I launched out of Washington Park this weekend for the first time and had no idea where to drop my pots. I ended up putting them over on the South East side of Lopez Is and didn't catch a single crab. My pots wern't picked either because I had red tye wraps holding them closed. Unless someone else carrys red one and resealed it. They sat for 4 hours. I'd like to go back out there next weekend so if anyone can share someplace more productive, I would appreciate it. Salmon fished a little bit also, but no luck. I could use some pointers there also. We didn't hit it to hard, it was more of a joy ride in the new boat. It's really beautiful out there and we enjoyed the experience. We were out by Eagle Bluff or Point, whatever it's called off San Juan Is. Didn't see any fish caught, but a couple of guys said the caught a couple Pinks. We just caught a doggie and a few small sea bass.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Go hit Baker Lake ...Sockeye ...are thick but bring a shotgun 

[pjb3]

Hey Ripper, I'll take ya, I always go there and always get limits

[lokidog]

Got lots of crab this weekend, I'll send a PM.  Caught one short salmon.  The salmon seem to be more on the west side of Rosario along Blakely and between James and Decatur Islands.  Caught lots of dogfish.  My son wanted to try one he caught, so we bled it out and deep fried it for dinner, along with a bunch of shrimp from earlier in the year.  The doggie was actually pretty good, light and flaky, nice and mild.  Weathergirl even liked it, and she's the picky fish eater of the family.

There are a lot of areas that have been hit REALLY hard this year by commercial and tribal crabbers.  Have heard of several areas that are just  not producing well that usually do. 

[singleshot12]

crab are usually always on the move pausing at times in areas with a food source natural or not.

Dog fish are Englands choice for fish and chips.  since they pee through their skin i would fillet immediately and soak in milk before frying tho.

[Ripper]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the info. Even you Bowhunter. I'll give you a call Pete. Did you sell your boat?