Crab Opener Ideas

I'm not looking for honey holes or super-sekret things (though if you really want to share stuff I won't complain if you PM me tips lol)

But this is the first year I've owned a yak (have been absolutely loving it) and I'm already thinking about crabbing possibilities in November, assuming dates don't get pushed back.

Is it absolutely crazy to even think about trying to launch on opening day? Is it just an absolute madhouse everywhere no matter how early you arrive? I do a TON of crabbing typically.... usually Pacifica Pier or Baker/Ocean beach, but I really want to try from the yak this year. Opening day on Pacifica Pier is actually obscene... I'll never do that, not keen on waiting in a packed crowd of 60+ people in the wee hours of the morning waiting for the gate to unlock.

To further limit my options, I have an Old Town PDL 120 which I love, but is obviously not a light thing to drag around. I've got good beach tires, but my out of shape ass doesn't do so well hauling it long distances (I did fine at MBK at least hehe, nice and accessible)

I was thinking Doran (maybe even using the boat launch because I'm lazy and that's easiest) or HMB (even there I actually opt to pay and use the boat launch vs. wheeling down from parking lot)... but I expect those launches to be also very full of people looking to take their boats out to drop pots all day.

How many people here even bother, or do most people just skip the first few days (and the fattest/easiest crabs) for things to die down?

Just looking for general advice and opinions.... thanks!

I'm sure others will chime in, but its doable in most areas, just need to be aware of the extra boat traffic. 

Most importantly, no matter where you end up, just don't drop pots at the mouth or in the boat's paths and you should be fine. 

Hey, I got an idea. How about SKIP the opener?  In the last few years, the crab weren't quite ready yet, and the harvest just didn't justify the anxiety. Wait 2-3 days at least and the crowds will die down. Crab will be there.

I'm sure others will chime in, but its doable in most areas, just need to be aware of the extra boat traffic. 

Most importantly, no matter where you end up, just don't drop pots at the mouth or in the boat's paths and you should be fine.

+1

Also, be aware others may check your pots...  That said, I have a feeling that this year, everyone will decide to be honest, upstanding, non-poaching citizens of the sea.   

Trinidad at midnight.  Me and pickle usually have the place to ourselves.

I'm sure others will chime in, but its doable in most areas, just need to be aware of the extra boat traffic. 

Most importantly, no matter where you end up, just don't drop pots at the mouth or in the boat's paths and you should be fine.

+1

Also, be aware others may check your pots...  That said, I have a feeling that this year, everyone will decide to be honest, upstanding, non-poaching citizens of the sea.   

Haha I admire your confidence. I'm pretty paranoid about losing pots tbh, will likely stick to hoops and relatively short soaks.

Trinidad at midnight.  Me and pickle usually have the place to ourselves.

Oh man, how I wish.

5 hr drive plus the concept of night-kayaking scares the bejeezus out of me... but I bet you guys kill it out there!

Trinidad at midnight.  Me and pickle usually have the place to ourselves.

I want to do this some time. I need more experience first, but it is on my to do list for sure.

HMB is my favorite for the opener.  Boats inside the harbor have to wait until they are exiting to speed up, and then they go off on their merry way.  Can be dicey on that last stretch as some boats get impatient and blast out of the entrance.  But it's really not been that bad, although I'm a bit out of practice. I'm planning on being at the opener if the conditions are good.  I like to launch as early as possible and avoid some of the boat traffic though. 

Oh and in HMB there are a couple choices to launch, but I would avoid that boat ramp.  Unless you like to watch chaos   

Crabbing can be some work. Mind the tides, your lines and gear. Be safe. Don't let crabs pinch you.

Crabbing can be some work. Mind the tides, your lines and gear. Be safe. Don't let crabs pinch you.

and when they do try to not throw them out of the kayak

HMB is my favorite for the opener.  Boats inside the harbor have to wait until they are exiting to speed up, and then they go off on their merry way.  Can be dicey on that last stretch as some boats get impatient and blast out of the entrance.  But it's really not been that bad, although I'm a bit out of practice. I'm planning on being at the opener if the conditions are good.  I like to launch as early as possible and avoid some of the boat traffic though.

Im the opposite. I hate HMB, crowded, no crabs, far paddle to the crabbing ground and the poachers are all over the place.

similar situation here, this will be my first year.  Crabs are high on the list of coveted delicacies from the Sea.

I've heard stories about issues at HMB, but no first hand knowledge, some of the guys in the group have first hand knowledge though - pots being emptied.

Doran at 12:01 am it’s a blast and lots of room and a great bunch of fellow takers.