Lost Coast Kayak Crabbing - 1/3/2010

This starts as a daydream...  I've been pondering how this second straight meager crab season should mean that the fleet out of Eureka doesn't go as far for crab.  If the numbers are light and fuel is high it would make sense that places far from port would see less crabbing pressure, so there should be some jumbo Dungeness out there waiting for a commando yak trip in remote territory.  That was the idea anyway...

Having found a willing participant for such endeavors in Domenic, I picked him up this morning and we headed over the hill to paradise.  A 5 knot wind forecast is something to know about up here if you like to see the beach at its best.  Sometimes that forecast seems like it must've been a joke when you arrive at the Cape and the truck is shaking as you sit in park watching violent whitecaps.  Today wasn't one of those forecast-defying days; today was calm and warm - 60 degrees feels delightful in a Northcoast winter in still air.  We even needed sunscreen today!

We arrived excited to see our favorite launch looking way more inviting than a 7' west swell @ 11 seconds sometimes looks.  Taking our time gearing up on the beach we enjoyed the anticipation of some long-awaited time OTW after a busy holiday season and too much time since the last paddle.  We paddled out to where I've scored some Dungies in years past - about 35-40' of water about a half mile from the launch.  Domenic worked 4 rings and I had two rings and two traps. 

My fantasy about huge crabs, the ones that had grown for a few years free from the pressures of commercial fishing, didn't come true today - we got skunked!  We did pull in at least a couple dozen 4-5.5 inchers, but no legals.  That was fine though.  We were both enjoying the time on the water so much that not getting crabs didn't seem to matter.  We wrapped it up, had a great landing, enjoyed the beautiful weather and headed back over the hill.  Maybe those super jumbo Dungies will show up next time.   

Key ingredients today:  my kayak, the jumbo crab fantasy, a good friend to share the trip with, and this little cyberworld to document the Madness.   

Looks like a great time OTW...love the pics of the Starfish too!!

Glad you found time/weather to get out there...feels like forever since I have been on the water and am hoping that I will be able to sneak out there again soon!!

Congrats again on a fun day with your good friend, and thank you for sharing!

Sincerely,

Jim

Another great kayaking documentary!  Thanks for the report and pictures Eric.

Way to get out coastal dudes
Weather was beautiful over here too But we need RAIN!

looks like a perfect winter day eric, thanks for the pics and report, cameron

What a great start to a new year. Thanks for sharing Eric. It is always a pleasure reading your reports and vicariously sharing your adventures.

Happy New Year,
Ray

I hate crab!.....but love it when YOU tell a story and throw a few sweet pics of looking for them!   

Glad you got an oportunity to get out with a friend. Catching is overrated.   

Sweet report and pics! You never know, unless you go! Good luck, Eric

Very nice...it's been way too long since I've seen the saltwater!

Hey dude, what type of fish head is that in the trap?

Albacore.  Domenic canned a bunch last Summer that he bought at the docks in Eureka.  The crabs love it...

Nice report thanks. 

Nice to see a report from " The King "   


 Wtg Dominic Too...