HMB Dungenes Crabbing

Going this Friday is not advised, especially if you're new to HMB - have you seen the forecast?  We have gone twice since the crab season opened and the paddle back into the harbor was a pain for my friends that were paddling because they were going against the current and strong wind. 

I noticed in the sticky's that self rescue and having a radio are key! though i have experience as an ocean swimmer, I have watched some youtube videos on how to self rescue and feel a lot safer knowing the proper technique if this does happen.

I have one of the green cheap danelson brand hoop nets.. with the crappy conditions, i've tracked down some promar 102 traps at a bait shop in pacifica and will use the weekend to stock up instead of going out to crab. Thanks for all the advice guys. looking forward to future posts.

Going this Friday is not advised, especially if you're new to HMB - have you seen you seen the forecast?  We have gone twice since the crab season opened and the paddle back into the harbor was a pain for my friends that were paddling because they were going against the current and strong wind.

I'm not going out this weekend after seeing the conditions. I'll use the resources on here to spot a calm weekend for my first trip out. thanks for the advice.

I noticed in the sticky's that self rescue and having a radio are key! though i have experience as an ocean swimmer, I have watched some youtube videos on how to self rescue and feel a lot safer knowing the proper technique if this does happen.

I have one of the green cheap danelson brand hoop nets.. with the crappy conditions, i've tracked down some promar 102 traps at a bait shop in pacifica and will use the weekend to stock up instead of going out to crab. Thanks for all the advice guys. looking forward to future posts.

Those green Danielson hoops work just fine if you add a little weight. They even work fine on calm days without weight, just keep an eye on them so they don't walk away and get lost. Promars are nice, too, but not required.

I see you mentioned using pool noodles for a buoy? Can I ask why?

I personally would opt for a real buoy.

OP:

The rings shouldn't walk far, you'll be sitting right on top of them working from one to the next to the next pulling every 10-15 minutes.  If they do move too far you can ziptie diving weights or even just put a big rock into the center of the ring with the bait bag.

If they do move too far you can ziptie diving weights or even just put a big rock into the center of the ring with the bait bag.

I'd distribute the weights on the rim, otherwise the rim will bounce up and down with the buoy in the swell, shaking crab off.

-Allen

If they do move too far you can ziptie diving weights or even just put a big rock into the center of the ring with the bait bag.

I'd distribute the weights on the rim, otherwise the rim will bounce up and down with the buoy in the swell, shaking crab off.

-Allen

Holy shit man.  How tight are you keeping your lines on a ring?  Give it some slack and that shouldn't happen.

If they do move too far you can ziptie diving weights or even just put a big rock into the center of the ring with the bait bag.

I'd distribute the weights on the rim, otherwise the rim will bounce up and down with the buoy in the swell, shaking crab off.

-Allen

Holy shit man.  How tight are you keeping your lines on a ring?  Give it some slack and that shouldn't happen.

A typical crab pot buoy provides 7 pounds of lift.  The swell can easily lift the rim.

-Allen

Sorry for the Novice question, I'll search more into the topics you guys have brought up before heading out on the open ocean. I guess in the meantime I will go to my local lakes ( Lake Chabot,San Pablo Reservoir) and get used to the characteristics of my yak before heading into more dicey waters.

^^^ this is a good idea. 

Would also suggest going a little farther and hitting Del Valle or Shadow Cliffs to get on some non- 'no-body-contact-with-water' lakes to practice self-rescue. Maybe off the Alameda rock wall on a mellow day too.