40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

So I texted all my fishing buddies to go crabbing and had only one bite. Was worried I wouldn’t be going today because my wife’s rule is “You don’t fish alone!” It’s a fair rule and I love her……..

My Alaskan fishing buddy Joe and I headed out early, about 6:30, I had all the bait cups and bags set up and the boat gassed up the day before, so we could make a quick getaway. The temp was 38 degrees, cold but clear, conditions out were good until we got to the lighthouse just out the gate, then it got a little snotty.

We got to our “new” numbers, out deeper from our original honey hole, and there’s commercial buoys all over. We set out a little deeper in between a couple of commercial strings. Their pots are soaking, we’re setting and pulling within a couple of hours, so……………

It’s cold and choppy and we’re bouncing around like a pinball, but we got 4 crab pots set and then set 4 hoop nets that we pulled after a quick soak and to see if there’s any life. After 2 sets of the hoop nets and only 1 MONSTER keeper among many small females, we stacked the hoop nets and headed for the first pot of our string. They had been soaking about 2 hours at this point and we hoped for better results than our hoop nets. We weren’t disappointed, at the end of pulling the string of 4 we were now up to 11 keepers and 2 JBs (just barly). We re-baited (Mackerel hanging, bait bag and cup of squid) and reset. Let them soak an hour and pulled them. Finished with 20 keepers overs 6” (many well over) and were able to return the JBs to the sea.

Our pots would have up to 20 crab in them, but only averaged 2 1/2 keepers per pot, although they were larger.

At one point, a boat pulled up with a couple of younger guys (in their 20-30s) and asked how we were getting so many crab, they had only gotten 1 crab! I asked about their bait and they said “Turkey thighs”, I told them what we were using and to try that. They thanked us and headed off………

All in al,l a successful trip of hard fought limits and thoughts about a new strategy for the next trip.

Sunrise over SF, no that’s not Nessie in the pic, just glare on the lens I think…..


A pot of crab coming up


Another pot of crab


Hoop net of crab, just no keepers………


A couple of the “Big Dogs”!


Joe with the cooler and 1 of the big ones


10 crab, cleaned, cooked and ready to eat or freeze


Meat from 1 crab, body meat on the left, leg meat on the right. The doggie treat jar says it all!!

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 👍

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Hey Denny, glad to hear that you are still getting out and catchin limits too. Congrats brother.

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Thanks NJ!

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Hey Steve thanks! It’s been difficult between the weather and the flooded condo work but a window opened and got while the gettin was good! I didn’t think to text you, but it ended up just as well because we were rollin up and down, up and down, I was even feeling it a bit.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Not to worry brother. I'm glad you didn't. I'm probly gonna pass on goin out the gate with you. I would hate to get out there and it be rougher than expected and start throwin up. Been there and done that. Don't wanna do it again.
If we get the chance sometime to try to go Halibut fishin maybe in the bay I MIGHT be willin to give that a try.
Even that is pushin it for me. But at least if I started feelin bad it wouldn't be THAT far from the dock.

Nook Loc: Vacaville CA

Great catching 40Grit. Wish I didn't have this cast on my throttle hand. Sounds like I missed another great trip out into the big blue with you. Right now I can't even EAT crabs, because I need two hands to do the job properly.
On another note, the commercial guys must be killing out there. Saw fresh, never frozen dungies at Costco for $4.99 a lb with jumbos in a 3 pack. Hope they leave some out there for the rest of us.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

A couple dashes of Old Bay seasoning, Coke a Cola, and I m there. Good share you teaser 4OG.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Nicely done out there once again 40Grit! You've got the moxie running in your blood for success! Great story and photos to chronicle the day...

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Nice catching and great report Denny!
They look delicious, and I'm drooling here. Thanks for sharing.

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Nice haul Denny ! Looks like you were rockin & rollin out there but you certainly have the right pic there (Rewards) Thanks for sharing ,I still think that's a Bay Nessie 😁 !!👍👍🤙🤙That's a Beautiful photo 👍🤙

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Great job. I envy you. Our season ends in December and does not open again until july, even for rings.

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Thanks Hal, I didn’t think about needing two hands to properly eat them, but you are correct on that. Yes I believe the commercial guys are killing them out there and they aren’t leaving very many for the rest of us either. But we had our opportunities in December, can’t be greedy…….

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Yes sir plumbob, I use the old bay seasoning in the crab boil, as well as my crab chowder and my crab salad sandwiches. Can’t go wrong with old bay!

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Thanks FY, I appreciate the kudos!