How to Catch Dungeness Crabs

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How to Catch Dungeness Crabs

Rahul Malik

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Step 1 of 11

Since it's illegal to catch Dungeness crabs inside the San Francisco bay, I'm going to Baker Beach on the west side of San Francisco. Check your local fishing regulations since the rules vary.

Step 2 of 11

Get to the beach early in the morning. I arrived at 6:30am.

Step 3 of 11

Start assembling your fishing rod. There are different methods used to catch crabs. We are fishing from the shore so we'll be using a rod but a net can be used when fishing from a pier.

Step 4 of 11

We need to prepare our bait box. This box is used to protect your bait from the crab and has rings to catch it. This particular box has weights attached that help it stay on the ocean floor.

Step 5 of 11

Add your bait inside the bait box. We are using squid as our bait. Pack in as much bait as you can into the box.

Step 6 of 11

Close and fasten the bait box. Feel free to use zip ties to keep the bait box shut. Crabs and other ocean wildlife will try to get inside your bait box so it's best not to take any chances here.

Step 7 of 11

Next you'll have to tie the bait box to the fishing line. If you need help there is probably another fisherman that can help you tie a good knot.

Step 8 of 11

Reel in any excess fishing line with just enough slack to let the bait box swing freely and start heading towards the water.

Step 9 of 11

The deeper in the ocean you can get the bait box the better. When casting a fishing line, good technique is important.

Step 10 of 11

Cast your line as far as you can in the ocean and back away from the water.

Step 11 of 11

After 5-10 minutes, quickly reel in your bait box and if you're lucky you'll have a crab as well!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Rahul Malik

snapguide.com

Collector of random hobbies. Triathlete & Developer @ Snapguide.

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Can Duruk

San Francisco, CA, USA

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1 Fishing rod

1 Bait Box

Bait (Squid)

1 Knife

1 Bucket

Zip ties

1 Fishing license (optional)

r u related to zayn Malik?

Minecraft girl!! 2 months ago

That is what I am talking about

Justaneece Nobody 3 months ago

Fun AND edible, good combo!😃

William Read 3 months ago

FABULOUS❗LOVE CRAB❤.

Anita Vassar 3 months ago

Wow

Justaneece Nobody 4 months ago

So nice ! we haven't tris kind of crab in argentine!

Pat VATTAY 5 months ago

Thanks Vladimir!

Rahul Malik (author) 7 months ago

Sorry for useless comment... But ! This guide is a real changer !!!

Vladimir Kopjov 7 months ago

I used to do this off a dock with my uncle but we used nets. Worked really well. We usually had like five going at once and you go around and check them every so often. Thnx for posting the guide though. Very helpful. Maybe I'll try it this way some time.

Ella F-W 9 months ago

You finally mentioned a license ... Good now tell them what sex can be caught and kept and the measurement . Thanks

Kathleen Schwenk 10 months ago

I think more research could of been done on your part to keep people out of trouble.

Kathleen Schwenk 10 months ago

There is a season to catch crabs. Only males 5.75" across the back. It requires a license and the fee for being caught is mighty!

Kathleen Schwenk 10 months ago

Male crabs have a narrow strip on their under side, they like anything rotten to attract them. Keep females big fine!

Kathleen Schwenk 10 months ago

I like fishing as well if ever get to San Fran I'll go

Ethan Teumer 12 months ago

Cool :D

Hussain Kadhim last year

This is so cool now I wanna catch a crab!!

Fi G last year

Never even thought of going to catch my own crabs. You make it look easy!

Nicole 📱 last year

Capazon, ling cod, I can go on and on!

Ron Zeno last year

You don't need a wetsuit. Hell I've fished from nude beaches and caught fish, rainbow perch, sea trout (rock and kelp greenling), even a striper from time to time. Oh eels too!

Ron Zeno last year

Delicious....

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Haha, how does it taste?

Gavin Peng last year

I've been surfishing all my life here in NorCal beaches. Never tried this. I will. We need a video on poke poling too!

Ron Zeno last year

Cool!

Gavin Peng last year

Cool works!

Erwin Huang last year

@Rahul I want a guide on how to cook R&G Lounge Salt and Pepper Crab

George Murray last year

@Peter that's a great idea! I'll get on that soon!

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Any tutorials on cooking Dungeness Crabs?

Peter ➤ last year

Cool guide!

Cloudy Q last year

Je AShi last year

Awesome thank you for sharing :)

Colby Grillone Nina Figueroa last year

Sweet

Tim H last year

I'm going to try this. Thanks for the guide.

Chris Cho last year

Thanks Leo!

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Beautifully created app - congrats on the launch!

Leo Romanovsky last year

Yes you need to check the regulations at your fishing location. If you need a license and don't have one there is a risk of getting fined. There are seasons for crab fishing as well. Also the type of crabs you can catch may be limited; the San Francisco bay does not allow you to keep Dungeness crabs so you have to fish from the ocean.

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Isn't this going to land you with a big fine if you don't have a fishing permit or the crabs are out of season? I think you should mention that, and also that it's free to fish from municipal piers.

Portly Arrabiato last year

Easier place to start is Pacifica pier. There, you only need a crab net. No poles necessary although they can help.

Marcus Ericsson last year

Any sort of waterproof boots and pants would be a good idea since you usually have to go into the water to cast your line deep enough.

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Also: what to wear while crabbing! Boots? Wet suit?

George Murray last year

Definitely. ? but each of us has to make a sub guide on crabbing. Tying knots, baiting boxes, casting, fighting crabs after you catch them, transporting them home, cooking them...

George Murray last year

Can I join? ?

Steven Ramkumar last year

I'm going crab fishing after launch

George Murray last year

What is the total cost of gear for this? I want to do it but don't know where to buy the stuff or how much it costs.

George Murray last year

There is also Fort Baker, a location many recommend underneath the Golden Gate Bridge with great views of the bay. Because it is in the bay you will have to toss back dungenous crabs but you can keep any others referred to as "rock" crabs.

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Another great location is the pier at Pacifica.

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Cool view

Hussain Kadhim last year

Wow. Te view is amazing!

Raylor A last year

Nice pic

George Murray last year

Be first to comment on Step 3.

I believe we went to Gus' Discount Fishing Tackle in the Richmond District of San Francisco.

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Where do you get your fishing equipment from?

J.W. Ramp last year

Growing up up and crabbing, would use a full turkey carcass. Squid bate? I eat it and love it. You can go to your local grocery store, in the frozen food department and get a full brick of it. Through the whole frozen brick in there. It keeps them in the trap longer harder to feed on.

Suzi Bunbunzz last year

You should be able to get it at a bait and tackle shop. The one in San Francisco was Gus' Discount Fishing Tackle. Call ahead just to make sure it's available.

Rahul Malik (author) last year

where do you buy squid bait?

Arjun Banker last year

I've heard of people having success with chicken since crabs have trouble getting the meat off the bones.

Rahul Malik (author) last year

I have used chicken before but not for this type of crabs.

George Murray last year

What else can I use for bait?

David Ayman Shamma last year

Be first to comment on Step 6.

Be first to comment on Step 7.

Be first to comment on Step 8.

Be first to comment on Step 9.

Be first to comment on Step 10.

It's huge

Avery the ninja 5 months ago

He looks so angry!

Johnney King 7 months ago

Hope you only keep males 6 3/4" wide or you suffer a really big fine.....BIG!

Kathleen Schwenk 10 months ago

It looks fun but I don't think it will work here in Tampa, Fl.

Eric Bishop 10 months ago

Some shots with the crab on the bait box or a video of a reel in would be helpful

Glen Wendt last year

If crab isn't big enough you can pinch off one front leg. It grows back!!!!

Suzi Bunbunzz last year

The crab gets scared when you reel in the bait box and it's natural reaction is to hold on. You still have to measure the size of the crab to make sure it's large enough (there are regulations around this). Most people bring a cooler to store any crabs caught that day.

Rahul Malik (author) last year

Good question. I was wondering the same thing.

Greg D last year