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Topic: Crabfest 2013 Report and pics (Pic Heavy and report on first page)  (Read 12974 times)

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vwool

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Despite the weather the kayakers arrived and Crabfest 2013 was definitely an event/weekend not to miss. Bodega or should I say Blow-dega, was howling all weekend and the conditions were not like last year, but everyone was sure ready for a good time.

On Saturday Dan from The Headwaters kayak shop put on a safety class for those interested in learning how to rescue on the water. He gave an on land class followed by on the water clinic. It was great seeing people out there interested in making themselves better paddlers. The wind picked up mid-day and many kayakers came off the water and returned to their campsites to rest up for the next day. I wasn’t able to attend but I here the Ukulele Jam session was the spot to be Saturday evening.

Sunday morning arrived and when I arrived to the Jetty Day use area at six there were already a line of about 10 cars waiting for the gate to open. Once the gate opened the cars entered and kayakers began to set up their Traps. The event started at 7:30 and kayakers were given information on how to stay safe on the water. Many chose not to go out and just hang out with all the others who were there for the event. In total there were near 99 registered kayakers competing for the biggest Dungeness crab. At one point 80 kayaks were counted on the water.

Throughout the morning crab were brought in to be measured and it seemed the crab kept getting bigger and bigger. Many of the crab that were caught were donated to the potluck that started at 12:15. One of my favorite items from the potluck was GB2’s White Sea Bass Chowder. After the potluck it was time to crown the victors of the event.

Each participant received a raffle ticket for entering the event, which gave him or her a chance to win many different items donated by all the sponsors. There was also a raffle for the new GoPro Hero 3 Silver with the proceeds being split between the Mooch LPA and the Diabetic Youth Foundation. A total of $800 was raised, from the GoPro raffle.

As for the winners of the event here are the details:

Biggest Dungeness Crab-

1st - Chuck E.  with a Dungeness measuring in at 7.21”
Prizes included a Thule Hullivator, Promar Heavy Duty Crab Trap, a.Bacahar Dungeness artwork, and Outdoor Pro gift certificate.

2Nd – Kim Garo with a Dungeness measuring in at 6.93”
Prizes included Stohlquist Fisherman PFD, Promar collapsible Trap, and Outdoor Pro gift certificate.

3rd – Sonny Nguyen with a Dungeness measuring in at 6.74”
Prizes included Bending Branches Angler Classic paddle, Promar Ambush Net and Outdoor Pro gift certificate

Biggest Red Rock went to Ken Sund with a giant measuring in at 6.58”
Prizes included Promar Ambush Net


Eddyline Kayaks donated Caribbean 12 for the Grand Prize Raffle and the winner of the kayak was Joseph Velho.


Crabfest was such a great success and it was all in part to the sponsors and all those that came to hang out, eat and crab.


Thanks to Dan at The Headwaters Kayak Shop, once again your sponsorship of Crabfest was greatly appreciated in making this event successful.

A big thank you to the Sponsors: Eddyline Kayaks, Promar/Ahi USA, The Headwaters kayak Shop, Seattle Sports, Thule, GoPro, Stohlquist, Grundens, A. Bachar, Bending Branches,Headwaters Adventure Company, and the Outdoor Pro Shop in Cotati.

And as always, thank you to all of NCKA for making this an awesome event! Can’t wait to see everyone at Crabfest 2014.


 
« Last Edit: January 30, 2013, 12:37:38 PM by vwool »
Eddyline Caribbean 12
OK Malibu Two XL
Hobie Revo

Host of Crabfest 2012-2022


Meekerman11

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Hey Victor and Co.
Great day at Doran. Thanks for all of the organization which made for good time, even if I did get skunked.
Thanks Scott


AbMan

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Thanks Victor and Dan.  Great event again!  That 45# kayak winner was a happy man!

Plus thanks Chuck even thought he claims to only be the idea guy....he facilitated lots of Promar donations.

Here are a few pics:

Beautiful day at Doran
Tow in progress behind GB2's awesome chowder.
Batt at the raffle.
Group pic forming.

Summary: I had fun!


G-Whiz

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Well... now I know what I missed out on last year! Thanks Victor, Dan and all the sponsor for a very fun event! Congrats Chucke and all the winners, well deserved victory!

Although the weather made for challenging conditions (especially for me); had a great time seeing old and meeting new friends! Thanks Daleshark, Snapperhead and all the other for spotting me on my beach landings; 3.5 out of 5 attempts ain't to bad. Leg cramps were so bad, had to pull off the side of the road on the way home....

Only managed to weigh in 1 crab over 6"; but I think thats pretty good for only 13' of water. Although the darn little crab was worth over $100 considering I lost 2 pots to who knows what...

Saturday nigth Ukefest was a smash! you guys can rock; I'll post up some of the tunes and pics I managed to record/take later after I get my beauty rest!

Thanks again for a great time; hopefully see you all at the next event!
« Last Edit: January 27, 2013, 06:12:57 PM by G-Whiz »
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Bunny

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Thanks to Victor, Dan & all the people that helped you guys make the 2nd annual crab fest a blast and sucess.  It was great seeing everyone again.  So thankful that everyone was safe.  Very nice that you guys did the raffle for two worthy causes.  Looking forward to next year.
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kars125

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Had a great time! Thanks Dan and Victor and everyone who made this possible. I caught my first rock crabs and can't wait to try again!


Yosemite Rob

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Way to stick it out in those conditions, nice work!
formerly Da roblo, Diroblo, white devil, etc..


snapperhead

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Great event! Thanks Dan, Victor, and all the sponsors!!! Also thank to all the people who helped out, but weren't noticed by the masses.  It was great seeing everybody. Thanks Frank and Bunny for taking my yaks up, even though I didn't go out. Thanks Glen for all the help with the trailer and generator. Blo-dega didn't disappoint, it blew!!!!
« Last Edit: January 28, 2013, 06:01:14 AM by snapperhead »
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the wind REALLY picked up around 5pm Sunday, so even though I had me camp spot for the night,  we left anyways,  it was rough!!
Made it to Napa and staying at my son's house, then home tomorrow, I'll post pics then.  So rough the past 2 days, I'm beat!  Had a GREAT time with everyone. 
Thanks Victor, Dan and all the sponsors, even if I didn't win anything, it was fun watching those who did.  i had one legal crab to turn in so it wasn't a bust.   My FIRST time on the ocean!!  If that's all ya got I'm ready to do it again.  Listening to the rescue channel was wild!!

I'll post up pics when I get home tomorrow.  Thanks Glen for the great decal to put on the kayak. 

Ukes ROCK!!!!

Apple cobbler too..    Hope y'all liked the baby back ribs.   See you next year!
« Last Edit: January 28, 2013, 08:40:06 PM by skipro3 »


Paddleboy84

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I'm beat after a great weekend of hanging out and paddling at Doran. I had so much fun watching all the new faces try crabbing for the first time. It was an amazing group today. I'm so happy everyone played it safe in the challenging conditions. Props to those who helped out and towed people when needed. I will post photos when I get some time, but for now here is a quick upload from todays festivities on the Headwaters Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.527861510567845.111482.157958320891501&type=3
Headwaters Kayak Shop Lodi CA, ran by paddlers for paddlers
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http://headwatersfishing.blogspot.com/


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Well... now I know what I missed out on last year! Thanks Victor, Dan and all the sponsor for a very fun event! Congrats Chucke and all the winners, well deserved victory!

Although the weather made for challenging conditions (especially for me); had a great time seeing old and meeting new friends! Thanks Daleshark, Snapperhead and all the other for spotting me on my beach landings; 3.5 out of 5 attempts ain't to bad. Leg cramps were so bad, had to pull off the side of the road on the way home....

Only managed to weigh in 1 crab over 6"; but I think thats pretty good for only 13' of water. Although the darn little crab was worth over $100 considering I lost 2 pots to who knows what...

Saturday nigth Ukefest was a smash! you guys can rock; I'll post up some of the tunes and pics I managed to record/take later after I get my beauty rest!

Thanks again for a great time; hopefully see you all at the next event!

It was great to meet you in person! THANKS for my vinyl letters - WOOT WOOT! I am sending you a PM now. You don't have a chicken shape, do ya?

I would love to hear and see the pics from the Uke Jam! please post!

-Cherie
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2012 Eddyline Caribbean 14


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Ditto, Bunny!

Victor, Dan, your families - thank you to all of you for such a great event! I know it must have been a lot of work. Securing such fabulous prizes made the event even that much better! Congrats to all the winners!

Thanks to Bunny and Frank for taking care of us at our first Crab Fest! Great people to the core!

Thanks to Bill for escorting me in and out of the ocean to set my one pot! I felt totally comfortable thanks to Bill and John in the tandem. They did a good job guiding me along.
While I was "sealed" (a sea lion ripped my bait bag, stole my bait, and alas, no crabs), I was proud to paddle for the first time on the ocean in my new **NCKA** sponsored wetsuit  :smt003
Thanks to Headwaters for letting me use the Eddyline...great kayak!

Thanks to Dan for putting on the safety/rescue class! I needed to do that and can't wait to practice again. I am determined to always have my vest on tight and build my strength so I can get in faster.

Despite the wind, I was grateful the rain was no where to be found! We played the ukes by a fire, had a blast. I met so many people and kept trying to put faces to NCKA names  :smt044

I made a carrot cake...it was the round one in the cake carrier which disappeared in about 30 seconds after Frank realized it had not yet been tasted! I guess I need to bring two next time!

Thanks Glen, I can't wait to put my screen name on my yak!

-Cherie
:smt117
A.K.A. "Pikachu" (according to Rockfish)
2012 Eddyline Caribbean 14


NoSoupForU

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Thanks guys!  Finally made it home and the madness is setting in once again.  I had a great time seeing some old friends and making some new ones.  Congrats to ChuckE and all the winners.  I'll try to get some picts and video up tomorrow, or I mean later today.


Great Bass 2

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WOW!!!!! that was FUN.Thanks to Dan and Victor, Headwaters, Eddyline and all the other sponsors. Crabfest was my favorite event last year and will probably be this year. A lot of crab, a lot of good food, a lot of good friends, a lot of wind and a lot of rescues is how I would sum up the day. A few more Islanders were inducted to the AI Hall of Shame for having to be towed in and it wasn't me even with my broken rudder.  :smt044 :smt044 :smt044

I hadn't crabbed Doran since the last crabfest and was so excited I had trouble sleeping. Got to Doran at 6:45 AM on Sunday with my neighbor Fish and Brew right behind me. Maybe we should carpool next time.  :smt005 Waited for the gates to open and rigged my gear. Launched at 7:45 AM and it was blowing offshore about 10-16 kt. My plan was to head out a mile or so because the pressure would be heavy on the inside. I did a test run into the wind when I got to the end of the jetty and could make 2-2.5 MPH upwind so headed out to sea. I made it about a half a mile when a large coast guard vessel came by an gave me a warning. I dropped in 24-27 FOW and headed in. When I got to the end of the jetty Sonny asked me to help tow a kayaker in so we sandwiched her in between two amas and brought her in. During the rescue, one of my rudder cables broke and I had to paddle to steer the boat. I decided to go bait heavy long soak because of the wind and I had to make the chowder. Next time I will bring the full sail package and intermediate soak like ChuckE. Sonny lent me his Adventure (THANKS!!!) and I pulled my traps at 11AM. I caught 23 legal dungies in 2 Promar ambush hoops and two Promar 102's, 8 were 6-7 inches. Unfortunately, 80% were female and the largest was only 6.38" so I was out of the running. It was my best day of crabbing since November. All of my pots were plugged. I was using chicken, squid, mackerel, cat food, salon heads and cut anchovies. I also used crab and shrimp fuel. I kept 5 dungies and 2 reds and released the rest. Life is good.  :smt006

Scott
« Last Edit: January 28, 2013, 05:55:26 AM by Great Bass 2 »
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Pat R.

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Looks like you guys had a good time wish I could have made it maybe next year. Scott nice pot of crab :smt007.

PatR