HMB report: skunked

Yesterday I took some friends out of HMB for their first time crabbing.  Big ol' skunk for dungies.  I dropped pots at around 45 and 40 feet.  Our first string caught a bunch of decent sized red-rock crabs, but we didn't keep any of them.  Moved further southeast into shallower water and caught 2 short dungies, then we called it a day as the wind kicked up.  On the water by 9AM; Off the water by 1PM.

Learning lesson:  I gotta get back out and find new spots as my old spots aren't producing. 

Thanks for the HMB crabbing report Eelkram.  Give the Reds a try,  the meat is slightly sweeter than the Dungies.

Oh darn. Thanks for the report. Better luck next time.

Out this morning about 8 at HMB. Dropped four pots came home with three Dungies, two were jumbo and three big red crabs. Lots of rocks, shorts and female Dungies. Wind and swell were manageable. A few others out there, heard 3-4 from a few of them.

Thanks for the report(s).

Got a freezer full of bait but don't want to make the trip if it's not going to be productive, just need to hit one of these days with less swell and not to much recent rain.

Thanks for the report. Hope better luck next time.

Yesterday I took some friends out of HMB for their first time crabbing.  Big ol' skunk for dungies.  I dropped pots at around 45 and 40 feet.  Our first string caught a bunch of decent sized red-rock crabs, but we didn't keep any of them.  Moved further southeast into shallower water and caught 2 short dungies, then we called it a day as the wind kicked up.  On the water by 9AM; Off the water by 1PM.

Learning lesson:  I gotta get back out and find new spots as my old spots aren't producing. 

Shelter Cove warmups. 

  Wow,,

that sounds like a lot of work,,,

 strong work getting out there ,,

agree with Eric & yourself ,,

 ya should try another spot ,,, 

Back down south of the border again Don? 

Yesterday I took some friends out of HMB for their first time crabbing.  Big ol' skunk for dungies.  I dropped pots at around 45 and 40 feet.  Our first string caught a bunch of decent sized red-rock crabs, but we didn't keep any of them.  Moved further southeast into shallower water and caught 2 short dungies, then we called it a day as the wind kicked up.  On the water by 9AM; Off the water by 1PM.

Learning lesson:  I gotta get back out and find new spots as my old spots aren't producing. 

Hey Mark, 99 Ranch has Dungies for $6.99 / lb.  Get some. 

Back down south of the border again Don? 

    Everyday & Every way,,

 I'm there ,,

  It's all waiting ,,

 But much has needed attending on being back in,

       " The Land of the stressed ,,"

   Pero,

             Si,

           Heading back soon ,,,   

 Like to go now but,  " Spring Break ,, " heating up,  nice scenery & all,,

   Way too many amateurs &  f-ing chaos ,,,

  headed down just after, " The chill ,, " I hope

       so cool to tread out anytime into the Bay of La Paz ,

             See what's up ,,

   & chill some more ,,,


thread jack ,,

  Check,,,

  Powerful stuff Baja is ,,

   
  sorry Mark,,,

 carry on   

Eh Bruddahs,
After a very disappointing expedition in mid-November. I hooked up with my friend Ron who lives in El Granada and where I have my Hobie Oasis and all my crab gear stored. Have been keeping track of the wind and swells last week and headed out on Friday with really beautiful conditions. Dropped 5 traps (3 cages and 2 Hoops). Kept checking and moving he traps if there were no Dungees. Ended up with 2 large ones and 3 smaller ones in about 3 hours. I was looking for flat bottoms and my usual places were South of the green can and inside the inner boat lanes. My friend Ron wanted to leave the traps over night, so we figured it might be worth it. Drove down early Sat am and was out the water by around 7am to pick up the traps. Cages were loaded with rock crabs and only 3 Dungees. I was surprised how many people were out in smaller boats and kayaks crabbing. After this experience, I think I am calling it quits for crabbing at HMB. In the past, I used to get easy limits. Now it seems like it is just too much work for very little payoff.
I think I am going to  take Mel's advice and go to Ranch 99 and wait till the beginning of the season and go on the crab rockfish combos on the Sea Wolf out to the Farallons in November. Last November we limited out on great rockfish and really primo Dungees on 2 trips. One you eat the good stuff, big jumbo Dungees, it's hard to come home with a few crabs and too much work!!!!
Good luck you guys. I think HMB has been overfished for Dungees!!!
Aloha,
Michael
da Bruddah

Out this morning about 8 at HMB. Dropped four pots came home with three Dungies, two were jumbo and three big red crabs. Lots of rocks, shorts and female Dungies. Wind and swell were manageable. A few others out there, heard 3-4 from a few of them.

Nice catch with the dungies!