first crabbing trip(doran vets day)

well went to doran in bodega bay yesterday for my first crabbing attempt, was a great day there, weather was warm, wind didnt come up till the afternoon and ended up with some crabs. here are some things i learned today.
1. when you are dropping the traps make sure the weight on your line has not done a rats nest at 25 ft before you drop the trap
2. when the line has gone into a rats nest dont be stubborn and just pull the trap up and then untangle the mess
3. practice surf exits a little more next year(stop going to safe protected launches all the time i.e. fort ross)
4. little kids love watching fat guys on plastic boats flopping in the surf(sorry for the language little ones)
5. next time bring an activity for the wait(book, magazines, fly rod for some perch fishing etc)
6. it may have seemed like an hour on the beach,(was only twenty min) but let the traps soak longer
7. if your FF sticks up above the deck remove it when you go to retrieve the traps(easier to place on deck)
8. dungenous are really fast(so open trap carefully)
9. when reaching for one crab dont take your eye off his buddy(he is the one that will get you)
10. crab pinches burn for awhile(actually all night long)
11. and the best thing i learned today is having fresh crab cooked, chilled, cleaned and ready for consumption by the time the wife gets home is the biggest WAF builder(besides something shinny from fishshim)she wants me to go out again friday and sunday, yeah shes got a bad crab habit

very nice cameron, hope to repeat your adventure this weekend.

more pics

NICE....I gotta get out this weekend.

fantastic work cameron.

WTG on the crabs Cameron and thanks for the tips.

Jedmo

Hope your finger heals well    Thanks for the report and pictures Cameron.

Nice report.

Your list is much appreciated 

Ben

Hey thanks for the intell on what to expect that i wouldn't otherwise. I like the pics, made my apatite for Dungies grow. I have the three traps i got from bassmanben, but haven't had the chance to use them. Hope i could have a good day on my first outing>

thanks again

alex

Excellent report my man.....excellent!

Great report, Cameron.  Paving the way for other future pinched-fingered happy guys.   

Nice work Cameron. One thing is that fresh water as in ice will kill the crabs quick. I usually cover them with a salt water soaked burlap sack and you are good. Congrats on the haul. I was cracking up at the do's and dont's. Lets get together and do it .

Thanks for the tips. Do you boil in straight water or add seasoning

Thanks for the tips. Do you boil in straight water or add seasoning

Boil in salt water - 1/3 to 1 cup per gallon is what I've read...

Boil for half the required time. Clean the crab and slightly crack the legs. Smother with butter and granulated garlic. Bake for 5-10 minutes.