Bay Crabbing is open 365 days a year, and Crabs are saltwater creatures. Crabs come into the bay to feed. They do not do well in freshwater. Nearly all the bays on the Oregon coast feed for rivers of freshwater, but there are two exceptions
Coos Bay is not just the largest Bay in Oregon. It is also marine-dominated with very little freshwater influence, making it a great place for sea crustaceans to live. The lower bay (areas from the ocean entrance to the airport) is “marine-dominated,’ meaning there is little drinking interaction, and offers some of Oregon’s most proficient shellfishing opportunities.
Dock crabbing is available throughout the commercial docks in Charleston. Additionally, the Charleston Visited Center press, which T-docks Southbound of the bridge, provides excellent hook crabbing.
Siletz River feeds Siletz Bay with fresh water. Over the years, the entrance to the Bay has nearly become silted closed. The silt has closed the mouth of the river to the point that now there is only a narrow channel for the water to pass to get to the ocean.
When there is a lot of freshwater, the crab will retreat to the channel. We call it “Crab Alley.”
The type of Crab caught depends on the bottom of the Bay. Rock crabs are like bays with rocky bottoms, while Dungeness Crabs are like sandy bay bottoms with ELL Grass. If the Bay has both a rocky and sandy bottom, you will catch both types of Crabs. There are nearly no rocks in Siletz Bay.
The dock has been standing on the beach alongside 51st Street in Lincoln City since 1946. This south part of Lincoln City is called Historic Taft. Today the historic Taft Dock has a new look and more strength to weather battering wind and rainstorms and thousands of annual visitor footsteps.
If the tide is not high enough, walk about one (1) block west of MO’s restaurant towards the ocean. You will come to a Channel, called ” Crab Alley,”
All the Crabs must go through “Crab Alley” to get into the Bay
Three (3) Crab traps can be commonly used at Lincoln City.
These can only be rented from our location south of Lincoln City. We also clean and cook Crabs.
Danielson Crab Trap….. is a “SOAKER” type of Crab Trap. This means you pull the trap after soaking it for an hour or so. It is 2 ft by 2 ft by 1 ft. Danielson works by using the Crab’s instincts to trap itself. It lures the Crab with a bait bag into the large cage through strategically placed openings that they can enter but cannot escape.
Due to the size of the trap, this trap is best used from a dock, pier or boat.
Ring Crab Trap … The concept is straightforward: bait the crabs into the ring and “pull” the trap up when you think the crabs are inside. The absolute most straightforward crab ring is a two-ring crab net. You should pull the Crab Ring up quickly, as the outer ring forms a wall so the Crab cannot escape. You will pull a Crab Ring up every 5 -10 minutes, depending on the crab activity.
This trap is best used from a dock, pier or boat because If you pull it crooked, you may lose your Crabs.
The Round Crab Max Trap is similar to the Ring Trap except that when you pull, the top of the trap closes with all the crabs captured inside. It consists of two metal netted 24-inch sides. When lying flat, it takes the shape of a 24-inch circle. It is the only Crab trap that can be used from the beach, shore, dock, pier, or boat.
It has 50% more Crab catching area than triangle or square traps.
This is the only trap that can be used anywhere because when you pull the trap, the crabs in the netting area are caught and cannot escape.
All three (3) types of Crab Traps can be picked up at the Siletz River Location, 82 Siletz Hwy, One (1) mile south of Lincoln City at the intersection of RT 124 and Hwy 101, for the same price.
Rent Three Traps 24-hour option: A set of (3) Crab Traps, a bucket, and a crab gauge @$50/set. The Crab Traps can be picked up from 8 AM to dark.
Rent-One-Trap is a 24-hour option. It includes one crab trap, a bucket, and a crab gauge for $40. With reservations, the crab trap can be picked up from 8 AM to dark.
PURCHASE Three Trap Option …. Three (3) Crab Trappers, a bucket, and crab gauge @$150/set.
PURCHASE Three Trap Option ….. One (1) Crab Trapper, a bucket, and a crab gauge @$50. The office sales & reservation staff is only available to ask questions and sales… 541-765-2109
Crab License … must-have. Available at our Siletz River Location. Instate @$10/year…. Out of State @$20/3 days.
Two (2) -three (3) hour Crab Bait package available $10 . … we recommend you buy raw dark meat chicken for bait, seals do not like chicken, but crab do.
Rent Single and Tandem Kayaks AVAILABLE NOW
Private Crab Clinic Details AVAILABLE NOW
You do not need much money or preparation to go crabbing in Lincoln City. It is an excellent excursion for individuals and families.
There is a narrow channel from the ocean to Siletz Bay. All the Crabs and Fish come through this channel. One can stand on the shore and throw the Crab Trap into this channel to catch a Dungeness Crab. There are very few Rock Crabs in Siletz Bay.
The Crab Master will show you his favorite Crab location that does require a dock, pier, or dock. He will spend 30 minutes showing you how to catch Crab, catch Crab, explain the Oregon Crab laws and everything about Crabbing for $25.
Call 541-765-2109 for an appointment. The Guide considers your traps, rental traps, or purchases from the mentor the same.
We provide the kitchen equipment to cook Crab and show you how to clean & cook the Crab…. ready to eat…. $2.50/crab
We teach a crabbing system developed by Bill Lackner of Newport, who has taught how to use it in Siletz Bay since 2004.
Crabbers are allowed to crab with up to three devices per license. At the Clinic will be demos on how to crab from shore or a kayak. Crab Traps will be available to rent, purchase or bring your own traps for demo.
Crab Licenses .. Oregon State Resident = $10 … Three (3) Day Our of State = $20
YOU ONLY NEED ONE license PER THREE (3) CRAB TRAPS …
Gloves if you are going to handle the Crab
Valid credit card info to be used if Crab Trap not returned
Three (3) locations to choose from… Lincoln City (Historic Taft), Depoe Bay, or Newport
Three (3) Docks are available in Newport, and they are all free to use. It is less expensive to go crabbing from the pier than it is to crab from a boat. Unfortunately, you will be limited to where you can drop your line or traps.
Dungeness crab season is year-round in the Oregon Bays. The Dungeness crab is a saltwater creature. Beginning in September, crabs tend to be more “filled out,” meaning there is a higher percentage of quality meat.
Crabbing in Depoe Bay …. CLICK HERE
Crabbing in Newport …. CLICK HERE
We teach a crabbing system developed by Bill Lackner of Lincoln City has been teaching how to use this system in Siletz Bay since 2004.
Crabbers are allowed to crab with up to three devices per license. At the Clinic will be demos on how to crab from shore or a kayak. Crab Traps will be available to rent, purchase or bring your own traps for demo.
Crab Licenses .. Oregon State Resident = $10 … Three (3) Day Our of State =$20
YOU ONLY NEED ONE license PER THREE (3) CRAB TRAPS …
The clinic is in Lincoln City. The location will change depending on rain, tides, weather, and registration.
The State of Oregon allows residents and visitors to explore and experience fishing, crabbing, and clamming without needing a license or tags on specific listed dates throughout the year.
Crab Licenses
YOU ONLY NEED ONE license PER THREE (3) CRAB TRAPS …
FREE Kid’s Crabbing Special
Every kid ages 8, 9, 10, or 11 needs the opportunity to Crab at no charge for 24 hours,. The only restriction is one per family with 3 trap adult rentals & valid Credit Card
Everything a Kid ages 8, 9, 10, and 11 needs the opportunity to Crab at no charge for 24 hours,. The only
Adult 24-hour Crab Trap package $50
Reservation Office Hours …. 8 pm – 10 pm …. Everyday … 541-765-2109
Crab Cooking hours – 8am – Dark (by Reservation Only)
Crabbing with the Kids
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