40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Those of us in the Bay Area know the Giants mascot “Louseal”, I wish he had stayed at the ballpark……….

Went out to the new spot that we prospected on Tuesday because the prospect was good, closer to the marina, the marine forecast for our “honey hole” wasn’t optimal and knew that Friday afternoon holiday traffic was going to be bad. Well, thanks to Louseal it didn’t work out so good. 1st set didn’t produce much, did our usual “leapfrog” of the pots and did a little better, then Louseal showed up and started tearing the herring out of the pots (had them hanging). So I cut the herring and put it in the bait bags with the squid and Louseal tore the bait bags, bait cups and clips holding the bait to the pot completely out! Lost 3 bait set ups. When that happened we had 12 crab 6” or over and 8 JBs (just barely legal). Decided to stack them after almost 3 hours of crabbing and motor another 15-20 minutes to the original honey hole with the pots we could still fish. We did 2 very quick sets, had our limit of 30, +4 we threw back. There was one MONSTER crab, must have been close to 8”. Anyway, lesson learned, until the “honey hole” stops producing, stick with it…………..

Arrival at the marina at 0 dark 30……..


SF skyline at sun up on the way out…..


The 3 Amigos! Mike (newbie), Tom (long time bud, been out twice with me) and I


Louseal mocking me


The MONSTER !


The 2 largest……


The total haul!

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

Great haul and a story well told. Enjoy the bounty and Merry Christmas!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Glad you got back on them Denny. You know the old saying, never leave fish to find fish, or in this case Crab. The big one is a monster! Thanks for the beautiful pictures. Merry Christmas!

Deltadog925 Loc: Oakley California

Louseal seems to be making his rounds
Glad you were still able to get on those crabs
Those 2 are monsters
Thanks for sharing

Jeremy Loc: America

I am glad you keep finding a good haul Denney. The more you seek them the more you will find em. Have a great Santa Season. Making me crave some seafood for sure.

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Thanks Stuco and Merry Christmas to you!!

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Thanks Fred! We had prospected the new spot and the results were good, so thought I’d give it a shot given all the variables (weather, time, traffic) but like you said, should’ve never left fish to find fish! Merry Christmas !!

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Thanks DD! I’ve heard that seals (or sea lions) will wreak havoc on crab pots (and steal your salmon when reeling them in) but have never experienced it until now.

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Jeremy, thanks, I’m glad to be able to keep finding them as well (as is everyone I’ve taken out with me 😜)! We’ll see how it goes when the commercial guys get out at the end of the month………..

Jeremy Loc: America

LouSEAL would make great Crab Bait. Everyones Freezer you know would be full of Crab Bait then.

Jeremy Loc: America

Good you stocked up because from my experience up here they use huge traps and deplete the crab quite a bit for awhile. I am pretty amazed how the crab regenerate and seem to be available the next year. I enjoy targeting crab because it pretty simple and can be very productive. I am only person in my immediate family that likes eating them so I usually share my keep. We usually drop the gear and then fish for Salmon. Pull gear on way back to Dock / Camp.

HoHoHo buddy.

FishermanLeeSonoma

Great Crabbing!!! Continued Good Luck and glad that Lou didn't stop you from being successful!!!

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

I hear ya Jeremy. Until we can use traps vs the hoop nets we’ll have to wait on leaving them to go fish.

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Thanks Ben, yup wasn’t going to let Lou get the best of me………

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Nice catch once again there 40Grit! Those sea critters sure know how to be a nuisance! Glad you were able to limit out for a nice 3 way split! Merry Christmas!

Every time I stop for coney's you come to mind. On another topic...Vernor's Ginger Ale tried something new this Christmas by doing a black cherry flavored one. I have to say that I will stick with the original...the new flavor was terrible!