Northwest Reel Life April 2023 Volume 2 Issue 9 - Flipbook - Page 30
of yahoos pulling a crab pot line.
As we got closer, we realized it
was our pot and expressed our
displeasure with the situation.
They were very apologetic and
Probably the best way to reduce
said they thought it was their pot.
theft is to plan day crabbing trips.
Oh OK… Anyway, a couple pictures
If your pot is in the right location,
later we went on to check our
it only needs to soak for 20-30
minutes. Set your pot or string and string.
One way to reduce theft is to
just hang out in the area until it is
uniquely identify your floats. You
time to collect your hard-shelled
still must use a red and white
booty. You can also use tie wraps,
float with your name and address
but it seems that the crab thieves
on it, but don’t be afraid to add a
are wise to that one.
personal touch. Flags, additional
A few years back we were
floats, or rubber duckies can be
crabbing at Yokeko Point inside
added to make it clear that it is
Deception Pass. We set a string
not someone else’s gear. If you
of pots and went for a quick
do encounter some scumbag
cruise around Hope Island and
stealing your gear or crab, do
back, maybe 20 minutes total.
Returning to our pots and coming not confront them. Be polite in
communicating with them and
off plane, we saw a 24-26’ sun
get pictures.
cruiser type boat with a group
In my case, theft is probably not
preventable because the pot is
out overnight, but there are things
we can do to reduce theft.
30 | NWFISHING.net
Share the pictures with the
WDFW, they may increase
surveillance in that area.
PNW recreational crabbing is a
gift from Poseidon and his Tritons.
While catching crab, cleaning,
cooking, and (best of all) eating
them is an enjoyable family
activity, occasionally a pot or 2
disappears. If so, don’t let it ruin
the experience. Take precautions
to reduce pots lost due to “that’s
crabbing” issues and/or gear theft,
and crabbing season will be your
favorite time of the year. As a final
thought: with the possibility of
a lost pot, always use “rot cord”
to allow crab to escape freely if
the pot is lost. A derelict crab pot
without a proper escape can
attract and kill crabs for years after
the pot is lost.