Humboldt Dungies

I had clients from out of town for a kayak whale watching tour this Sunday in Trinidad. I took the opportunity to clean all the frozen carcasses out of my freezer and tie them up in hoop nets for crabbing. Every time we made a pass over the nets there was a keeper or two. These guys have never seen what they called a "wild crab" and these dungies put on a good show. I sent everyone home with a taste of Northcoast Dungeness and then rebaited a crab pot for an overnight soak.
Got to the launch around mid-morning today and the wind was already starting to howl. Pilot rock off in the distance was ringed in white foam meaning the swell was larger than forecasted. A parade of Grey whales greeted me beyond the 1/4 mile bouy. I fumbled with the camera getting it out and missed the best shots. My crab pot buoy was the only one out and everyone it seems has given up on crab for the year. I could tell after a few tugs I was on the crab and hauled it up on deck. It was jam packed with dungies all of good size, half fems half dudes. I selected the choicest for my ravenous daughter and freed the rest. A good but quick day on the water, seems like there are still quite a few crab to be had in Northcoast Waters.

Great report Hawk, thanks!  How deep were the crabs?  -Matt

Wow, I love the pictures!  Where exactly is that??  Thanks for the report!  I still haven't tasted any crab this year  Still hoping to make it out on the yack for some crab before the season is over.

Beautiful, beautiful and the view ain't bad neither . . .  Very nice catch, wild ones. I'm gpoing to So Mendo Coast in a couple days, this makes me want to try my trap, too! Thanks for the inspiration.

Nice job on the "wild" dungies... That's probably the best ocean report I heard all year so far.

Freddie

Great score on the crabs, Hawk.  Thanks for the Trinidad report.   

It looks like you outdid me Hawk. I have been getting 4-7 Dungies per soak down her in the Monterey Bay. I would have liked to do an over night soak when I was up there picking up the new boat. Oh well you can't have it all. Nice job. I am no inspired to give it another try this weekend. I know I got greedy with dropping pots last weekend trying to find a new hot spot. I have some great abalone guts from my friend and can't wait to put them on the spots that had been producing. Hope to see you this summer for some fishing-maybe Bear Harbor. 

Drooling!  Nice load Hawk.

WTG on the crabs. That is a serious trap you are using also.

scott

The best thing to do with crab if you can make it past the pickin is to put em into cakes that are truely finger lickin.

  - Aww man, you're killing me! That is cruel, so cruel . . . sniffle, sniffle 

Alright....  cut loose with the rest of the recipe (please) - if I get lucky this weekend, I'd like to try it. Thanks!

John

That's a COMPLETE REPORT! and the BEST WAY to finish it off!..pics of the FINSHED PRODUCT with rhymes to! I don't really crave any type of seafood, but when it's looking like THAT!  SERVE ME UP!   

great report with SWEET FOLLOW-THROUGH! 

Ocular ABUSE