Thanks for the update.  I didn’t get a chance to post and say that I do this all the time because by the time I get home, rinse off all my gear, and put it away, I’m usually too tired to cook crab.   The only difference is that I use a plug in fish tank bubbler so I don’t have to worry about batteries. 

I have a power outlet in the back of my truck, so I use it on the drive home as well.   I transport my catch in a cooler full of sea water with the bubbler chugging away.  Been doing this for many years.  It may be overkill, but it keeps the dungies super lively.   Your experience with how lively and aggressive they are when you finally get around to picking them up is the same as mine.   I got pinched so many times that I eventually bought and use a pair of crab tongs that I got from Amazon. 

https://www.amazon.com/King-Kooker-14400-Crab-Tongs/dp/B00B4BNAOC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3

Quote from: bbt95762 on October 11, 2023, 01:11:51 PM

Quote from: 123engineering on October 06, 2023, 08:04:16 PM

...
 Currently searching for a retirement location around 30 minutes from a kayak fishing spot from the Sonoma coast to the Southern Oregon coast.

Paul

you and me both!

Had considered Brookings area, but Sonoma/Mendo would be great too

Hi Bob

We should search together.  My search included Brookings too.
Consider making a road trip to check out Brookings, Crescent City, Eureka, and Fortuna over the Veteran's Day weekend.

Paul

Another point to consider: We have a thorough network of MPAs, which were controversial and removed some of the best fishing areas as no-take zones. So in theory these relatively non-migratory species are already protected from an extinction threat. So a closure of all areas is completely unnecessary. The MPAs should guarantee that we will always have stocks of fish and bag limits can be adjusted up and down but not eliminated.