Astoria Dungeness Crab Charters & Guided Crabbing Trips
For locals, crabbing is a fun activity leading up to a tasty feast. For those coming from far away, a crab charter is the prelude to a special culinary experience. Near Astoria, Oregon, Dungeness crab grow large on the food stirred up where the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean meet. Feasting on crab in the fall after the salmon have moved upriver is a holiday tradition around Astoria.
Peak Crabbing Season:
October through December
Crabbing Trip Pricing:
Half-Day: $175/Seat, $900/Private Boat
Crab Charter Includes:
✓ All Crabbing Gear
✓ Bait
✓ Crab Cleaning and Cooking
✓ Ice and Bags for Transport
Crab Freezing and Shipping Available
Crabbing Updates
What to Expect During a Crab Charter
You should receive a message from me with the exact meeting time and location a day or so ahead of time. Weather and tides decide the schedule for crab trips. I generally try to target within 2 hours of the high or low tide. For larger groups I typically set the pots ahead of your trip. This helps to make sure we get limits.
If weather and regulations allow we will target the area near the Cape Disappointment lighthouse or just beyond the South Jetty. This is where the crabbing tends to be best. There are a few other spots closer to the marina that also produce a lot of crab. These tend to be a bit more crowded resulting in slower crabbing as well as the chance that some pirate might raid our pots. If we do need to wait for the pots to soak we can spend the time with crab snares that work off of fishing poles. Catching crab on a fishing pole is a fun activity, especially for kids!
Pulling the pots
In calm water you choose if you want to pull the pots or have me pull them for you. The boat is equipped with an electric pot puller to make things easier if needed. Watching to see a full pot of crab come up through the water is always fun!. Once we get them on board I will sort the crab for you. This will make sure that the ones we keep are all legal. The crab will be stored on ice to keep them calm.
Finishing up the trip
Once we’re back at the dock I’ll unload the crab from the boat and get to work preparing your catch for you. Like everything with a crab trip, this step can be as participatory as you want. Many of my clients enjoy learning how to clean and prepare the crab. Others have fun hanging around the cooker, chatting, and enjoying the day while the prep work happens. I usually clean them first and then boil them in salt water for you. Once they’re out of the pot it’s time to ice them down and either dig in, or bag them up to take them home.
Crabbing Trip Frequently Asked Questions
Hammond Boat Launch in Hammond, Oregon
or West Basin Marina in Astoria, Oregon
Yes! I cook and clean the crab at the end of the trip. I also make sure it is iced down and cold so that you can bring it home or eat it right away. For those that like the “head butter” I can cook them whole, while for the rest of us, I clean them first and then cook them. I also provide free lessons on how to efficiently get the meat out of the shell
Yes. I provide all traps and bait
Vacuum sealing, freezing, and shipping is available through Gezellig Seafoods and European Groceries in Downtown Astoria. I supply ice and plastic bags if you are driving home.
You need either an Oregon or Washington Shellfish License.
Weather appropriate clothing, Drinks, Snacks and lunch
The limit in the Columbia and Ocean near Astoria Oregon is typically 12 crab per person per day
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