We decided to explore crabbing at Dungeness from the beach today.
Our journey began at Dunes Beach.
Dunes Beach is situated within Half Moon Bay State Beach, just off Highway 1 in Northern California.
Dunes Beach is part of the extensive State Park Beach, nestled between Naples Beach and Venice Beach. We arrived at approximately 11 a.m. The ocean was quite turbulent. High tide was expected at 1:50 p.m., leaving minimal beach space due to the waves for setting up our chairs, but we proceeded nonetheless.
We prepared our fishing gear and loaded the crab snares with squid, casting them out in anticipation of the first catch.
The typical method involves casting the snare and allowing it to soak for 10-15 minutes. At that point, reel in slowly until tension is felt, then effectively set the snare by pulling back on the rod to maintain tension on the crab snare, ensuring the snare loops remain tight around any crabs that have entered them. Reel in until the crab can be secured. Any slack in the line may release the crab from the snare. I always bring an extra five-gallon bucket to store the crabs. Additionally, I use an aerator pump (the bubble box) to oxygenate the water in the bucket, keeping the crabs alive and fresh throughout the day.
A brief overview of the setup:
The crab snares were purchased from Amazon (link below). They were baited with frozen squid. It's crucial to verify current fishing regulations before heading out to ensure compliance with the snares.
I utilized two rods, both equipped with Penn Fierce III size 8000 reels (link below), spooled with ANDE 25lb test monofilament in a green finish. I prefer the green fluorescent line for its high visibility, reducing the likelihood of beachgoers walking into it (link below).
I employed two different surf rods. One was an Ugly Stick Model BWSF1530S102 (link below), and the other was an
Okuma LC-S-1202H-1 Heavy Spin Rod (link below). The latter was my preferred rod for casting the crab snares due to its robust construction (link below).
The setup is relatively straightforward. Attach a snap swivel to your line (link below). The crab snare will have a short 8"
cable to connect to the line. Load the bait into the bait cage on the snare and secure it. It is vital to ensure all snare loops are open before each cast, as a closed snare will not catch anything. Cast just beyond the breaking waves or from a pier or boat, let it soak for 10-15 minutes, and then reel in. This method is highly effective.
Regrettably, we did not catch any crabs today, but we witnessed one of the most breathtaking sunsets I have ever seen on the California coast.
Best of luck to everyone.
Amazon links to all of the equipment
Ande Fishing High Vis Fishing Line https://amzn.to/4gNfEtY (Amazon)
Fishermonics Crab Snare https://amzn.to/4fJk3fT (Amazon)
Ugly Stich Surf Rod https://amzn.to/4h5WXS0 (Amazon)
Okuma Surf Rod https://amzn.to/4fSfJLo (Amazon)
Bubble Box https://amzn.to/4j7OEGX (Amazon)
Snap Swivels https://amzn.to/4fNqX3O (Amazon)
Penn Fierce III 8000 Fishing reel https://amzn.to/3DKFkst (Amaz0n)
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