Report & Pics: HMB Crabbing- 2/5 -Rock Crabs [No dungies, No Dabs, Good eats!]

Went out on Friday last week for crabs and dabs in HMB, since weather seemed permitting. Dropped a few pots out near the green/red buoy in HMB.  Got one big rock crab (pictured here), then the conditions started getting a bit more intense, so decided to head in.  I had planned to head out a bit deeper to try my luck at dabs, but I'd rather play it safe than sorry since I'm no old-hand, and I knew I'd need to manage to traps.  Ended up dropping a few pots south of the mouth, going to shore, and letting em soak.  Came back 90 minutes later to nicely filled pots of rock crabs (and lots of baby dungies). 

Total of 7 keepers, most pretty large.  Later at home, spent a few hours getting the meat out and used the ~1lb to make a giant batch of crab cakes for breakfast and the super bowl. Spoke to a few others while I was out at HMB, can just add evidence to the existing sentiment that dungies are tricky this year.  But I'm in for some rock crabs!

Also, attaching some fun pics since I don't really use social media but enjoy taking process pics of harvest -> food.

Had some earlier attachment problem so here's a link to the pics!

https://imgur.com/a/JzfBqu7

Is that a Hobie Passport 12 I spy?  Oh, and nice haul!

Thanks for the HMB crabbing report and pictures Norfish.

Nice looking crabs! How deep do you have to be for the sand dabs?

Very nice. Looks yummy. Thanks for the report and pics

Is that a Hobie Passport 12 I spy?  Oh, and nice haul!

Yup!  I really like it.  Going to spend this weekend doing a few upgrades like through-hull wiring and some larger hatches.  It's my first peddle kayak and it makes a world of difference for long distances.

My one gripe is that the plastic bit that holds the seat bar in place completely disconnects if you put your weight on the front edge of the seat, so when I lean forward to the front of the kayak the whole seat frame pops out of position.  Looking around online it's a common problem with the passports, but I can't find a solution - I'll also be trying to reinforce that connection this weekend because it's unsettling when you're a mile offshore, leaning way forward, and your whole support comes out from under you 

Nice looking crabs! How deep do you have to be for the sand dabs?

I've heard reports of some good spots between 80-100ft out of HMB, but didn't really get to make a real attempt due to weather so your guess is as good as mine.  I will say that I had some tiny (like 1.5 inch) dabs come up in my traps south of the harbor mouth, so that feels like a good sign for dabs at HMB overall?

Is that a Hobie Passport 12 I spy?  Oh, and nice haul!

Yup!  I really like it.  Going to spend this weekend doing a few upgrades like through-hull wiring and some larger hatches.  It's my first peddle kayak and it makes a world of difference for long distances.

My one gripe is that the plastic bit that holds the seat bar in place completely disconnects if you put your weight on the front edge of the seat, so when I lean forward to the front of the kayak the whole seat frame pops out of position.  Looking around online it's a common problem with the passports, but I can't find a solution - I'll also be trying to reinforce that connection this weekend because it's unsettling when you're a mile offshore, leaning way forward, and your whole support comes out from under you 

I also have a Passport.  I've done a few upgrades and have a bunch more on the todo list.  I hear ya on the seat issue.  My temporary solution has been to put a plano organizer under the seat to support the front rail when I scoot forward.  The issue seems to be the flexibility of the plastic bar that swings to secure it, not the connection.  The bar just bends.  I am planning to mount a strap with some backing plates next to the tab.  Swing the tab in place, clip and tighten the strap and all should be well.  I'll let ya know how that goes.

I launch out of HMB for the most part since I store my kayak there.  I've also been wanting to get out for sanddabs... let's buddy up and get out in the deeper stuff.

Rock crabs are yummy!

Thanks for the report 

I used to love how those tasted when I could get them.