Crabbing on Big River, Sunday 1/13 by Matt

  Well,  It was a fun day, but no crabby love.  Launched off the beach at 9:30 onto glassy water.   Little Hobie was all exited, as it was her first day crabbing with her new homemade pvc and pontoon crabbing rig.   The rig works great.   Very ergonomic and convenient.  I know; the rig looks a little crooked, but it’s just nicely flexible. 

I dropped four rings and then Herb (not ncka but a great guy) showed up with his Hobie Revo, and another buddy, Brett showed up in his canoe and Ace and family all showed up, so we were quite a fun team.   Ace caught one keeper, but that was it.  Ace had some interesting tips about crab bait; squid, chicken, cat food, fish carcasses, anchovies, etc..  He said on different days in the same spot that the crabs may go for different baits, and sometimes certain baits seen to attract more males or females at different times.   So the simple trick it to just try all kinds of different baits. 

As we were crabbing, we were surrounded by six seals, who messed with our crab rings, but not too much.   Herb and I saw one catch and devour a fish, maybe 16 inches long.   Hmm.  Is that why there are no Coho spawning upriver?   Darn “fur-bags”!   Are they eating the crabs too?  But they are so darn cute. 

At about 11 am suddenly a whole convoy of big trucks and trailers came racing in and quickly unloaded four big jet skis and a huge Zodiac, and started racing up and down the river at full throttle and then out onto the very rough waves in the bay, with lights flashing and radios going.   At first Ace and I just rolled our eyes, thinking they were some maniacal tourists, unaware that jet skis are illegal here and there’s a 5 m.p.h. speed limit.   But then we realized it was a rescue training session for the local fire departments, so it was fun to watch and talk with the fine fire department folks. 

About the pictures:   The shots of the kayak and crab-rig loaded on the truck are from a different morning; January 1st when I first tested the rig.  The pictures are a little misleading, as the camera perspective makes it look like the rig sticks out from the sides dangerously, but actually they don’t stick out any further than the side mirrors, so it's fine for the one mile run from home to the launch.   For longer trips I would detach the rig and stow it along side the yak, with the tailgate up.  But with the tailgate down all the truck lights are visible, and I’ll put some red reflectors on the ends of the rig and a safety flag on the back.

The shots under the bridge were awesome.   These two teenage kayakers were having great fun being swept around in the little waves and weird currents, laughing their happy heads off.  Right then the church bells started ringing (10 am every Sunday) and as I turned around to snap the pictures, their kayak paddles played in perfect rhythm to the church bells.   Beautiful, but I felt a little sorry for the folks in church.

A shot of Herb in his yellow Revo being safely escorted across the river by a seagull who decided to be our mascot for the day, and then quietly steal my squid bait when I wasn’t looking.  Traitor! 

Sorry for no shots this time out of Ace and the others.   I was concentrating on not catching crabs...

Well; enjoy, everyone.  Cheers from Matt. 

Great report, Matt!  I like your pontoon setup - you're ready for salmon trolling soon!  That's cool how you can ride 4 rings on there.  Big River looks like a great place.  I wish I had that so close to my house.  Say hi to Asa for me.   

Eric

I like your pontoon setup - you're ready for salmon trolling soon!...Say hi to Asa for me.

Thanks Eric!  I will indeed say howdy to Ace (Asa) from you.

Salmon trolling...Oh yes indeedy, and Asa will be the perfect fellow to teach me how.  I think we're sort of getting a kayak fishing/diving team going here, of Ace, Dave (pescadore), Herb and I, and anyone who wants to join in the fun.   What should we call ourselves; the "North Coast Killers"?  the "Mendocino Manglers"?

My next adventure will be to try the Hobie sail, with the pontoons.   That should be interesting, as I've never sailed, so there may be some amusing mishaps...
Hmmm.   How about salmon trolling using the sail... Hmmm.    Cheers Eric, -Matt