Premium Dungeness Crab Fishing on Oregon's Coast
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour Dungeness crab fishing adventure along scenic Oregon CoastWeekend trips available November through December for two guestsAll gear provided with beginnerfriendly guidance in calm waters
Looking for something different on the water? Skip the rod and reel for a morning and get your hands dirty pulling crab pots along Oregon's legendary coastline. This isn't your typical fishing charter—we're talking about hauling up some of the Pacific's finest Dungeness crab in calm inshore waters where the real magic happens. From the first pull of the trap to sorting your keeper crabs, you'll get the full experience of what commercial crabbers do every day, just on a smaller, more personal scale.
Your crab fishing adventure kicks off bright and early at 6:00 AM—trust me, the early start is worth it when you're working with the tides and the crabs are most active. This 4-hour trip runs exclusively on weekends from November 1st through December 31st, right in the heart of Oregon's prime crab season when these tasty crustaceans are at their heaviest and meatiest. We keep it intimate with space for just one guest, so you'll get my full attention and hands-on instruction throughout the morning. Don't worry if you've never pulled a crab pot before—I'll walk you through everything from reading the trap to measuring your catch. The Oregon Coast delivers some of the most scenic crabbing grounds you'll find anywhere, and we'll be working in protected inshore waters that stay calm even when the ocean gets a little rowdy. Fair warning though: you're definitely going to get a bit messy handling bait and sorting through the pots, but that's half the fun of authentic crab fishing.
I've got all the gear covered—crab pots, fresh bait, measuring tools, and everything else we need for a successful morning on the water. We'll be using traditional ring nets and box traps baited with fish carcasses, chicken backs, or whatever the crabs are hitting hardest that week. The technique is straightforward but there's definitely an art to it: we'll drop pots in prime spots along rocky bottoms and kelp edges where Dungeness love to feed, let them soak for 15-20 minutes, then haul them up to see what we've caught. You'll learn how to check crab size with the measuring gauge (they need to be at least 5¾ inches across the shell), identify males from females (we only keep the males), and spot soft-shell crabs that need to go back. The beauty of crab fishing is that it's active but not demanding—perfect for anyone who wants to experience commercial fishing techniques without the intensity of deep-sea angling. Between pot pulls, we'll move to new spots based on tide changes and what the crabs are telling us, giving you a real feel for reading the water like a local.
Dungeness crab is the star of the show here on the Oregon Coast, and for good reason—these guys are absolutely delicious and put up just enough fight to keep things interesting. Named after the town of Dungeness, Washington, these crabs are the Pacific Northwest's signature catch, with males reaching up to 10 inches across the shell and weighing over 2 pounds. November through December is prime time because the crabs have just finished molting and their shells are hard and full of meat. What makes Dungeness special is their sweet, delicate flavor that's less briny than East Coast blue crabs but meatier than most other West Coast species. They're smart too—you'll see them trying to escape from the pots and even working together sometimes. The males we're targeting have broader abdomens and bigger claws than females, and they tend to hang out in depths between 10 and 100 feet where we'll be working. Oregon's rocky coastline and kelp forests create perfect habitat for these crabs, and the cold Pacific water keeps their meat firm and flavorful. Every pot pull is like Christmas morning because you never know if you'll find one big keeper or a whole pile of legal-sized males ready for the cooler.
This top-rated crab fishing experience fills up fast during Oregon's short but sweet crab season. With only weekend availability and space for one guest per trip, spots book weeks in advance once word gets out that the crabs are running thick. The 4-hour morning window hits the sweet spot for tide timing and crab activity, plus you'll still have your afternoon free to explore the coast or head back home with your fresh catch. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your schedule is locked in before you commit. But honestly, once you've experienced the satisfaction of pulling up a pot full of keeper Dungeness and learned the techniques that Oregon crabbers have perfected over generations, you'll understand why this is becoming everyone's favorite alternative to traditional fishing charters. The combination of hands-on learning, scenic coastal waters, and taking home some of the Pacific's best eating makes this a customer favorite that keeps folks coming back year after year. Ready to get your hands dirty and experience Oregon crab fishing the right way? Let's get you on the water with Fassiottos Guide Service and make this crab season one to remember.
Get ready to pull crab pots aboard this well-equipped 23-foot Alumaweld skiff, built in 2021 for serious Oregon Coast fishing. This aluminum fishing boat handles the coastal waters with confidence, powered by a reliable Yamaha F200 engine plus a backup Yamaha 9.9 for extra peace of mind when you're focused on hauling in Dungeness crab. The boat's fish finder helps locate productive spots while GPS keeps you on track along the rugged coastline. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your fresh crab catch properly chilled for the ride back to shore. With space for up to 4 people, this stable platform gives you plenty of room to work the crab pots and sort your catch. The shallow draft design lets you access those productive inshore areas where the big Dungeness like to hide.
Oregon Coast