Crabfest 2017 Report

Crabfest has always had variable weather year to year and it was nice to arrive Friday to a sunny and non-windy day in Bodega Bay. It has been the event that brings NCKA together for the New Year. The first thing I noticed when we arrived on Friday was that anglers were already on the water searching for crab while families enjoyed their time on the beach. I knew this was going to be a great weekend.

Crabfest 2017 did not disappoint, the weather and crab decided to cooperate and gave us some of the best conditions Crabfest has ever seen. The day use area had a line of vehicles waiting for the gate to open with anglers waiting to register. The day started off with some wind, but soon turned out to be a beautiful winter day on the Sonoma Coast.

The Dungeness crab were in attendance this year with many anglers bringing in limits, while some still struggled to find one of legal size. There were over 40 crabs brought to the measuring station, with some red crab reaching the size of jumbo Dungeness crab.

Lunch time rolled around shortly after the check-in table closed and once again the potluck was brimming with good dishes to be shared by all. Some of the items that stood out to me were the ab chowder, fried striper and sturgeon, Crabfest pie, duck, oysters, crab, and bistek. There was so much food, and you could hear people talking about the spread. I didn’t get to eat much since I was getting ready for the awards, but next year I will make sure to check out everything and take a moment to grab some food.

This event has been free since day one and runs on the donations from sponsors. This year’s primary sponsor was Native Watercraft and they donated a Manta Ray Propel kayak to the raffle. There were demo kayaks from Native Watercraft available the day of the event and the day after provided by The Headwaters kayak shop. The Headwaters kayak shop was another primary sponsor this year, including Promar/Ahi USA. Both Promar and the Headwaters have been sponsors since the first Crabfest at Doran Beach in 2011. Supporting sponsors included Orion Coolers, YakAttack, Kala Brand Music, Kokatat and 707 Embroidery Zone.

There were some big crabs this year and all the winning crabs measured in over 7 inches. There was a perch category this year, but none were entered.

Results:
Biggest Red Rock Crab-
   The biggest Red Rock Crab went to Brian Turner, who has one this category before. His crab weighed in at 2.2 lbs and measured in at 7.11”. This crab was almost as big as the third place Dungeness crab.

3rd Place Dungeness Crab-
   Third place went to Myong-Jae Kin whose crab weighed in at 2.51 lbs and measured in at 7.23 inches. Myong-Jae had several crabs that measured over 7 inches.

2nd Place Dungeness Crab-
   Second place went to one of the most kind and positive person I know. Raydon Shippey took home 2nd place with his biggest crab weighing in at 2.55 lbs and measuring in at 7.31 inches.

1st Place Dungeness Crab-
   Annie Nagel took home 1st place this year at Crabfest. Her biggest Dungeness crab measured in at 2.47 lbs and measured in at 7.40 inches. Annie continues to amaze all of us with her fishing skills. She caught the winning crab while still having time to fry up the sturgeon she caught just a week before.  Congrats Annie on the win!

This year’s raffle raised over $3500 and all proceeds will be going to Diabetes Youth Families (www.dyf.org) and organization that supports families and children living with type 1 diabetes. The funds raised will help send some kids to camp for an experience they will never forget.

The winner of the Native Manta Ray Propel was Joe Merodio aka "Big Al"

Each year, there is so much work that goes into putting this event together. My goal has always been to keep it free and family friendly. This weekend reminded me why I continue to do this event. Thank you to all of the NCKA family that make this event possible.

See you next year at Crabfest 2018 on 01/27/18.

If you are on facebook please give the sponsors a "like" and give them a thank you for supporting Crabfest. If not send them an email. We hope to have these sponsors back again next year.

Native Watercraft: https://www.facebook.com/nativewatercraft/

Headwaters Kayak Shop: https://www.facebook.com/headwaterskayak/?hc_ref=SEARCH

Promar/Ahi USA: https://www.facebook.com/promarahi/

Orion Coolers: https://www.facebook.com/orioncoolers/

YakAttack: https://www.facebook.com/YakAttackLLC/

Kala Brand Music: https://www.facebook.com/KalaBrandMusic/

Kokatat: https://www.facebook.com/Kokatatusa/

707 Embroidery Zone: https://www.facebook.com/707-Embroidery-Zone-124712434211356/

Hoo-Rag https://www.facebook.com/HooRag/

Aly and Tyler fished 3 rings for a bunch of short dungi's. I fished for perch out front of check in for no bites. The weather was awesome and of course so was all the chill'n with the NCKA family!  Thank you Victor and Narissa for all your work making this an awesome annual family event.  Must throw a BIG thanks to all the sponsors. Their donations help multiply the amount given to the charity!

I had fun.

first event had a great time met lots of good people crabbing went well. caught some big crab but 7inches wasn't big enough pots were coming up full of smalls. thanks victor for the great time. looking forward to fishing with the club at future events and will try to get together with some for valley and gold country fishing. I'm on the coast so if your coming this way let me know well try and hookup.

Good times for sure.
I seen a lot of crab being hauled in.
Congrats  to Annie on her win and to the others that placed.
I think this  was the best crab fest  that I have attended for crab being caught and condition wise.
Thanks  to Victor and the sponsors  for a great tournament .
Well done...


Tim

Good times for sure.
I seen a lot of crab being hauled in.
Congrats  to Annie on her win and to the others that placed.
I think this  was the best crab fest  that I have attended for crab being caught and condition wise.
Thanks  to Victor and the sponsors  for a great tournament .
Well done...


Tim

This one called " Annie ". The force is strong with this one !   

Alex

I had a blast at this years event. Had two of my kids in tow, so it was more about hanging with them than it was about crabbing or paddling. Victor as always did an amazing job pulling this thing off. So glad the weather and crab cooperated with us this year.

Wanted to take a moment to thank Native Watercraft for stepping up huge and giving away that new Manta Ray 12 Propel. The winner was probably the most stoked raffle winner I've ever seen. I had a chance to take the Manta Ray for a pedal on Saturday and I had a blast. I'm a bike guy, so I felt right at home pedaling that thing around. I was blown away with how fast it was, and was pleasantly surprised with how stable it felt in the bumpy water.

If you haven't done so already go like the Native Facebook page or Instagram page, and give them any feedback you can. It really helps our chances of having them sponsor the event again next year.

Thank everyone for the awesome time!

Heard about this Crabfest thing through some acquaintances.   
Showed up, met some incredible people and had a great time. I think I'll be back. 

I had fun.

HAHAHA, never get tired of seeing that . Those duck treats were BOMB!!!!

Had a blast! This was my first Crabfest and can't wait for next years. This would have been my third time crabbing off my kayak! I dropped three pots out on Saturday, and pulled up one rock crab.  Both times that I came back in my kayak went sideways, small waves hit me and dunked me in. Raydon saw me go over and quickly helped pull me and my kayak out. I was lucky to not lose any of my gear, Thanks Raydon! I definitely need to work on my landing. Iroelikethat Jeff hooked it up with his yummy syringe jello shots,  :smt003I got to try out Jim's peddle drive kayak, that was fun! Great seeing old and new faces as always. I went clamming on Saturday and pulled 5 good sized Horseneck clams and a big ol worm lol.  I wasn't able to take very many pictures, but thanks Hojo and anyone thers who took pics, great to see such a big group getting together for a great cause. My family has diabetes and so  I can definitely relate to this. Thanks again to everyone who made this event possible. 

Another Awsome Crabfest !
Your order for good weather hit the mark! Anyone there sat will tell you it was beautiful at Doran  that day!!
 Thanks Victor for all ur hard work!
And the potluck... BEST food ever!
A  very fun day!
Big Al was the big winner in the raffle!

Congrats Annie on ur win[emoji1360][emoji1360][emoji1360]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Uh yea, a for the Uke fest...
We had 6-8 folks for a little jam, thanks to all who made that happen, it was fun[emoji4]
That setting was perfect for  for us to play ,
even got the uke winners out there
Great Day[emoji886][emoji3][emoji886]


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Another great get together with all my NCKA family.  Weather was almost too nice.  Looking forward to next year!

Thanks again Victor and family and all the good folks that help.  Great time and great food.  Congrats to Big Al go Native.