Is Bodega Bay Harbor any good for dungeness?

Have any of you NCKA'ers had much success inside the Harbor?  I've seen plenty of dungies come up from the jetty and area closer to the mouth of the harbor, but I'm looking at the area way inside - by Spud Point/New Sea Angler dock.

I realize out in the bay is more likely to produce bigger numbers, but my 8 year old wants to come along in his own small kayak. I'm thinking of setting nets just outside the channel so we don't interfere with the fleet. I'm mostly hoping to have a good time, come home with 1-2 crabs, and have a buddy who wants to join me again and again in the years to come!

Any intel much appreciated.

You'll see hoards of people snaring along the road near Campbell Cove(south jetty side) and you'll usually see a kayaker or two in the mix working pots in that area. In my experience, it's not been super productive and it gets even less so as the season progresses. ou'll get a fair number of rock crabs mixed in, but if you're only looking for a few crabs, its worth a shot. Just make sure your pots and buoys are well outside of the channel.

There’s a handful that can make it that far into the harbor.  You’ll have more success closer to the jetty and outside. 

Another easy place for your son would be Bolinas Lagoon.  Go on a low tidal change and it should be easy paddling.  Similar situation, not a ton of crab but some are in there.  But at least there’s no boats to worry about.

I picked up a couple fairly quickly at the bend inside the day before Crabfest. I skunked out in the Bay on Crabfest day.

Thanks for the intel! We made a game-time audible and went to Tomales Bay Instead. Launched from Heart's Desire, calm and beautiful day. A thresher shark leaped out of the water just past the buoys on our way out, I'd never seen that before.


But... the crabbing was a bust! 3 hoop nets rotated and soaked for about 2 hours near the center of the channel for *nada*! Not even an undersized dungie or rock crab!

Mission partially successful. We had a good time and my boy is already talking about next weekend...

Okay, so I’ve crabbed in bodega harbor quite a bit. If you’re cool w rock crabs then you can have a very productive day. I think I’ve caught one or two baby dungies here and there… but nothing close to a keeper size.

That said it’s super chill, and a very good spot for kids. If you ever wanna meet up happy to show you a couple spots that have always produced for me! Also rock crab crab cakes are delicious!!

Okay, so I’ve crabbed in bodega harbor quite a bit. If you’re cool w rock crabs then you can have a very productive day. I think I’ve caught one or two baby dungies here and there… but nothing close to a keeper size.

That said it’s super chill, and a very good spot for kids. If you ever wanna meet up happy to show you a couple spots that have always produced for me! Also rock crab crab cakes are delicious!!

If you ever want to do a trip in the harbor specifically targeting rock crabs I'd love to tag along.

In an unfair twist of fate, I recently discovered that I've become allergic to my favorite food... crab! It wasn't that bad though, just a light rash usually - and upon further experimentation, I discovered that my allergy is primarily limited to the crab body.

So I actually sortof target red rock crab more heavily than dungies. I feel less bad about wasting that body meat (I'll still pick some out, but there's so much less compared to the claws - and it's mainly the claws I can eat w/out breaking out in hives lol). I'll still go for the occasional set of dungies for my dad or other family, but for the most part I leave them for others and focus on the red rocks. Would be cool to just get them in the harbor where it's easy to get around and I could target them even in poorer weather.

In an unfair twist of fate, I recently discovered that I've become allergic to my favorite food... crab! It wasn't that bad though, just a light rash usually - and upon further experimentation, I discovered that my allergy is primarily limited to the crab body.

wow, sorry to hear that - but chasing rock crab in the harbor when it's rough outside sounds fun