Catching and preparing Dungeness crab is a quintessential coastal activity in Florence, Oregon, offering a mix of excitement, family fun, and delicious rewards. Whether you’re a seasoned crabber or a first-timer, Florence offers prime crabbing spots along the Siuslaw River and the Oregon Coast that make it an unforgettable adventure. Here’s your complete guide to getting started.
Best Tips for Crabbing in Florence
For a successful day of crabbing, using plenty of good bait is essential—more than the crabber next to you! Popular options include chicken parts, as seals are notorious for stealing fish like salmon right out of your traps. Want to save money on bait? Some adventurous crabbers even suggest dumpster diving at fish cleaning stations—if you dare!
If you’re looking for flexibility beyond the piers and docks in Florence, consider using a Crab Hawk trap, which can be cast with a fishing pole. However, you’ll need heavy gear, such as a sturdy fishing pole and at least 50-pound test line, to haul in those feisty Dungeness crabs.
Timing is Key
“You’ll find the best crabbing during the incoming tide,” notes Jesse Dolin, a destination management steward with the Oregon Coast Visitors Association. Bring a crab gauge (or even a dollar bill, which measures about 6 inches in a pinch) to ensure your catch meets size regulations. Remember, only male crabs that are 5 3/4 inches or larger across the shell are legal to keep in Florence. Be sure to brush up on local crabbing regulations to avoid hefty fines.
How to Catch Dungeness Crab
Gather Your Equipment
- Crab Pots or Traps: Choose from ring nets, box traps, or folding traps.
- Bait: Dungeness crabs love smelly, oily baits like chicken, fish heads, or squid.
- Rope and Buoys: Use a sturdy rope and a buoy labeled with your contact information as per local laws.
- Crab Gauge: This essential tool ensures you only keep legal-sized crabs.
Choose the Best Location
Florence’s coastal spots, like the Port of Siuslaw, are ideal for crabbing. Public docks, piers, and estuaries make it accessible for everyone, whether you have a boat or not. Dungeness crabs thrive in areas with rocky bottoms, kelp beds, and sandy flats, so aim for these spots.
Set Your Trap
- Bait the Trap: Secure bait inside to entice crabs.
- Lower the Trap: Slowly submerge it to avoid startling them.
- Wait: Let the trap sit for 20–60 minutes for the best chance at a catch.
Retrieve and Measure Your Catch
Quickly pull up your trap to prevent crabs from escaping. Measure each crab using your gauge to ensure it meets the 5 3/4-inch size regulation. Release any undersized or female crabs back into the water.
The Joy of Crabbing in Florence
Crabbing in Florence isn’t just about the catch; it’s an experience filled with anticipation, laughter, and the beauty of the Oregon Coast. Watching kids and adults eagerly pull up their pots, hoping for a keeper, creates cherished memories.
Even if you don’t catch any keepers, the fun of the process is worth it. Plus, you can always enjoy a delicious meal at one of Florence’s local seafood restaurants!
How to Prepare and Cook Dungeness Crab
Ingredients
- Fresh Dungeness crab(s)
- Water
- Salt
- Optional: Lemon, garlic, or bay leaves for flavor
Instructions
- Prepare the Crab: Clean and rinse the crab. If alive, place it in the freezer for 15 minutes to slow it down.
- Boil Water: Fill a pot with salted water (1/4 cup of salt per gallon). Add aromatics like garlic or lemon for flavor.
- Cook the Crab: Submerge the crab, shell side down, in boiling water. Cook for 15–20 minutes or until the shell turns bright orange.
- Cool and Clean: Remove the crab and place it in ice water to stop cooking. Clean by removing the apron, gills, and internal organs.
- Serve: Enjoy with melted butter, lemon wedges, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Make Crabbing a Family Tradition
For generations, crabbing has been a beloved pastime in Florence. Locals joke that boiling, cracking, and picking crab meat was once a rite of passage for proving marriage suitability!
Whether you’re catching or cooking, Florence offers the perfect setting to immerse yourself in the tradition of crabbing on the Oregon Coast. From the excitement of pulling up a trap to the sweet reward of freshly caught crab, it’s an activity that captures the essence of coastal living.
Plan Your Florence Crabbing Adventure
With its stunning scenery and abundant Dungeness crab population, Florence is the ideal destination for this iconic Oregon Coast activity. Be sure to check local regulations, gear up, and enjoy the thrill of crabbing in one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.
So, grab your traps, head to the water, and make memories that will last a lifetime in Florence, Oregon!
