Crabbing on the Columbia River

[oldcamper]

Does anybody know about crabbing on the columbia river? According to the regs its open year round, is that because it takes a year to catch anything? or is it worth the trip? Is there crab near the portland/vancouver area?

[gotshot]

I have heard you can get crabs around portland pretty easy.

[shoot-em-dead]

I never heard of them that far up but there are plenty down near the mouth of the columbia. If you've never been down there then you better learn a little about where the sand bars are . Water isn't deep in lots of places and ocean tides do effect the river. Good luck

[oldcamper]

Thanks I will have to  maybe catch a charter a time or two to learn the area.

[elkontherun]

I make several trips down there every year and its well worth the trip.  I always go in the fall like november.  We always put in at the launch in Hamend Or.  and go down river.  Not real big crab but always lots of keeper size.  We can usually limit the boat with 3 or 4 guys in just a few hours.

[buckhorn2]

Crabs are a lot bigger at the mouth than at portland.lol

[cohoho]

Astoria- Drop the pots on the way for fall Salmon and pick up at half way and limit out with Salmon and Crab..

[bullcanyon]

Be careful on a big tide. Pots will drift away. You might want to add some weight to your pot. I know guys that have lost pots.

[Scottystyle]

We used to catch dungeness with our sturgeon gear as far up as Cathlamet