Crabbing on the Oregon Coast!

We’ve got the skinny on Oregon’s succulent Dungeness crab, whether you want to rent the gear and try crabbing on your own, or would rather just head to the docks for your pick of fresh meat.

We sent one of our colleagues, Dermot; a former Chicagoan who now lives and works in Portland and spends any given weekend on the Oregon Coast; on a crabbing excursion in Netarts Bay. Read his invigorating adventure hauling crab pots on a quiet autumn day below (or check out the full story on our blog!).

Before you head out on your own crabbing adventure, remember that a shellfish license is required, and limits and regulations may apply. Check these resources before heading out.

- Shellfish license/regulations, and how to clean and cook crabs can be found at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

- A list of marinas and boat rental facilities can be found at the Oregon State Marine Board.

- Download the Fish Oregon brochure to locate a charter boat in your area or visit our partner, the Oregon Coast Visitor Association

• Distance: 
• Starting Point:  Portland

• Minimum Driving Time:  1 hour
• Best Time to Drive:  As a general rule, the months ending in the letter “R” are great times to crab

A Great Trip For:

• Couples
• Families
• Outdoor Enthusiasts
• Scenery
• Teens/Young Adults

1. A Crabbing Story in Netarts

At Netarts Bay you always find yourself among like-minded friends. There are no major rivers feeding into it so the salmon fishermen head elsewhere, which leaves the bay to you and your fellow crabbers to chase this elusive and tasty bounty called the Dungeness crab.

Netarts Bay sits 6 miles southwest of Tillamook (home of the famous cheese factory). On any given day during crabbing season (as a general rule, the months ending in the letter “R” are great times to crab), a legion of small boats and a few large ones float in the shallow bay as their occupants haul traps and check pots. Along the shore, there is a smattering of people with “snares” attached to the end of a fishing pole looking to catch one or two crabs for dinner that night. To the uninitiated, they all look like experts.

But looks can be deceiving!

One of the best parts of crabbing is that it is so easy. Some bays offer recreational crabbers a dock or platform as a base from which to chase their prey. However, you’ll need a boat to crab at Netarts RV Park & Marina. Bring your own, or rent one at the Marina, which also operates cooking and cleaning stations so you can prepare your crab catch for the ride home.

Netarts Bay itself is beautiful. While putt-putt-putting to your favorite crabbing spot, it is not uncommon to pass a group of harbor seals sunning themselves on a sand spit. Pelicans, in what appears to be a game, fly overhead and dip to just inches above the water before soaring back into the sky. Seagulls and other sea birds buzz around the bay.

So, if you are a fan of the television show “The Deadliest Catch” but you would rather not begin (and possibly end) your crabbing career in the Bering Sea, plan a trip to Netarts Bay and discover another reason why Oregon is so wonderful.