The best ingredient for a world-class seafood experience? Catching it yourself! With Dungeness crab available nearshore, kayakers can enjoy the thrill of the catch while surrounded by breathtaking coastal scenery and a high rate of success.
Catching Dungeness Crab from a Kayak
In this guide, I will share how to catch Dungeness crab from a kayak using hoop nets baited with chicken, as well as how to prepare and cook your freshly caught crab for a delicious seafood feast.
Equipment Preparation for Kayak Crabbing
Hoop Nets
Choose a hoop net specifically designed for crabbing, with a diameter of around 30 inches. Make sure the net is equipped with sturdy ropes and floats for easy retrieval.
Bait
Dungeness crab are attracted to a variety of baits, but chicken is a popular and effective option. Cut the chicken into pieces to fit inside the bait cage of the hoop net.
Kayak Setup
Secure the hoop net to your kayak using a strong line (I use a bungee cord), ensuring it is positioned securely and won't interfere with your paddling.
Setting and Deploying the Hoop Nets
- Choose a suitable location for crabbing, preferably in waters with sandy bottoms and depths ranging from 10 to 40 feet.
- Lower the hoop nets into the water from your kayak, allowing them to sink to the desired depth. Make sure the nets are evenly spaced and positioned away from obstacles such as rocks or kelp beds.
- Once the nets are deployed, paddle away from the area but mark your location if you plan on venturing further away.
- Allow the hoop nets to soak for at least 15 to 30 minutes, giving the Dungeness crab time to discover the bait and crawl inside the net.
- After the soaking period, steadily retrieve each net. Pull up the pot without stopping once you start and with a consistent upward motion. Crabs are incredibly mobile, especially underwater.
Handling and Measuring the Crabs
Once the hoop nets are aboard your kayak, carefully remove any captured Dungeness crab. Handle the crabs with care, grasping them firmly but gently. The best method to hold them is from the back of the crab (claws away) with your thumb on the abdomen and your fingers on the top of the shell. Use a crab gauge to measure the width of each crab's carapace (shell). Only keep Dungeness crab that meet the legal size requirements, this varies by state.
Cooking Dungeness Crab
Cleaning and Preparing the Crab
Two schools of thought on this: 1) Don’t clean it. Aside from removing obvious debris (chicken, dirt, sand), you do not need to clean the crab prior. 2) Using a sharp knife or crab cracker, carefully remove the carapace (top shell) of the crab. Discard the gills and viscera (internal organs) from inside the crab, leaving behind the meat.
Cooking Methods
Boiling: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add your favorite seasonings, such as Old Bay seasoning or lemon slices, to infuse flavor into the crab. Submerge the cleaned Dungeness crab in the boiling water and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the shell turns bright red.
Serving and Enjoying
Once cooked, transfer the Dungeness crab to a serving platter or newspaper-lined table. Serve the crab with melted butter, lemon wedges, and your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy the crab and consider how you could survive during the fall of civilization because you can get your own food.
My Kayak Crabbing Video:
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