HMB Dungenes Crabbing

Was planning to make my first trip to HMB to go for some dungenes crabs this friday. After searching the form im planning to rent my wetsuit and lifejacket from the kayak co & launch from their beach. Had a few unanswered questions:

1) It seems 40-50' of water is ideal. How far south from the pilar point entrance shouls I go ( 1/4 mile? 1/2 mile?)
2) onshore, i know size limit is 5 3/4 with a bag limit of 10. Do these same rules apply to yak crabbing?
3) will be using a noodle bouy and adjusting rope to the depth. Are the original round hoops sufficient or will they drift in the current?

Friday's ocean conditions look pretty gross.  I'd stay away.

What would be considered the ideal limits of safe conditions?

First trip to HMB, make sure the circled area is dark blue.

http://forecasts.surfingmagazine.com/#place=37.520618678869305_-122.59780899999998_11_1531_height_none_satellite_-1

What would be considered the ideal limits of safe conditions?

The answe to that is different for everyone based upon experience. What I might be comfortable with isn't really the question, although I wouldn't go out on Friday at all.

For starters for you, if the swell in feet is under 1/2 of the period in seconds, then swell + chop + wind in kts < 15 then go. If the swell height is greater than 1/2 the period but less than 3/4 of the period, then if total < 10 then go (will not be often). Else, don't go.

Perhaps the most important thing though is to go with a capable partner or 3. Look for hookups here. Get up to 10 posts and you'll see more of the forum.

Check ocean conditions at magic seaweed and NOAA. Get used to correlating forecasts with your actual observed conditions. Don't be afraid to sit on shore and watch without getting wet no matter how far you drove to get to the ocean. The ocean will still be there next time.

read on for info on long period swells.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=64405.30>

Thanks to the people posting! 

read on for info on long period swells.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=64405.30>

Thanks to the people posting! 

We really should have a stickied primer on what to consider when going out in the ocean designed for the first timer or first time visitor.  These threads come up a lot.

Basic stuff like swell height, period, swell direction, mixed swell, decay, long period swell, locally generated wind chop, set behavior, shoaling, how and why a wave breaks, local eddies, etc. etc.

Inevitably, when we answer these posts someone always brings up some other point that needs to be considered.  It would be nice to have a place to point new folks to for the basic information of a complex topic.

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.

First trip to HMB, make sure the circled area is dark blue.

http://forecasts.surfingmagazine.com/#place=37.520618678869305_-122.59780899999998_11_1531_height_none_satellite_-1

Thanks for the resource, I bookmarked it for future trip planning

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.

That's why we are here, nothing at all to be sorry about.  I'm glad that you asked.

I dunno if you've read G-Whiz's "crabbing for dummies," but it's really informative:

 http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=61428.msg689954#msg689954

I dunno if you've read G-Whiz's "crabbing for dummies," but it's really informative:

 http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=61428.msg689954#msg689954

Awesome write up, answered my question of where to drop my pots.

Make your first trip an easy one, get used to your craft and learn to paddle, self rescue, etc.  Then when your feeling comfortable, start out easy, like one or two rings, rope, float, etc.  Learn to deploy, deal with the ropes, etc, there is some processes to develop to do this safely. Work your ring(s) every 10-15 mins or so, they dont hold onto crabs like traps do, but are easier to manage.

Practice self rescue! Practice self rescue!  Practice self rescue!

Don't rely on others to save you.

HMB is notorious for its winds. Be ready to paddle for an hour straight against the wind.....just saying.

Be safe and have fun

Regarding your question about hoops... (May or may not have been answered in that article... Don't think I've read it).

Not all hoops are created equal. Some are made of heavy rebar-like material, and tend to stick on the bottom pretty well. Some of the cheap ones are VERY lightweight (the ones with green netting are coming to mind). These will "walk" along the bottom if you don't weight them down properly. You can get fancy and buy some crab pot weights, or just tie something heavy in there.