Crabbing Charter – $100 a person Coos Bay
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Dungeness crab fishing aboard modern 2018 Hewescraft vesselAll gear and local expertise provided by Captain Mark LaDukeProductive Coos Bay waters with GPSguided pot placement
Looking for a relaxed day on the water that still delivers plenty of action? Captain Mark LaDuke's crabbing charters out of Coos Bay offer the perfect blend of laid-back fishing vibes and serious seafood hunting. For just $100 per person, you'll spend the day working the productive waters where Dungeness crabs stack up thick during the right conditions. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel adventure – it's all about strategy, patience, and the sweet satisfaction of hauling up traps loaded with Oregon's prized crustaceans. Mark runs a professional operation from his 2018 Hewescraft, complete with all the electronics you need to put you on the crabs and the local knowledge that separates the pros from the weekend warriors.
This crabbing-only charter keeps things simple and focused. You'll meet Captain Mark at the main boat ramp behind the marina office near Monkey Business restaurant – easy parking and a straightforward launch that gets you on the water without any hassle. The 2018 Hewescraft is set up specifically for crab work, with plenty of deck space for sorting your catch and all the gear you'll need provided. Mark's got the GPS and fish finder dialed in to hit the sweet spots where Dungeness crabs congregate, and he knows how to read the tides and bottom structure that make the difference between a decent day and filling the cooler. The two-person minimum keeps the operation intimate – you're not fighting for deck space or trying to sort gear with a crowded boat. Just remember to bring your valid shellfish license because the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife takes that requirement seriously, and Mark runs a by-the-book operation that keeps everyone legal and happy.
Crabbing is all about timing and location, and that's where Mark's local expertise really shines. You'll be working with traditional crab pots loaded with the right bait and dropped in zones where the crabs move based on tide cycles, water temperature, and bottom conditions. The technique is straightforward but requires finesse – Mark uses his electronics to mark productive spots and tracks his gear with precision GPS coordinates. When it's time to pull, you'll work the hydraulic puller or hand-line depending on conditions, learning to read the weight on the line that tells you whether you're bringing up empties or a pot loaded with keepers. The sorting process is where the real education happens – Mark knows the regulations inside and out, from size limits to male-only restrictions, and he'll teach you to measure and sex crabs quickly and accurately. Coos Bay's muddy bottom and tidal flow create perfect habitat for Dungeness crabs, and the relatively protected waters mean you can work effectively even when the ocean conditions outside the bar are marginal.
Dungeness crab is the star of this show, and for good reason. These Oregon coast favorites are pure gold when it comes to eating quality – sweet, tender meat that makes all the work worthwhile. Male Dungeness crabs need to measure at least 5¾ inches across the back to be legal keepers, and the bigger bulls can push 7 or 8 inches with claws that'll make you respect their business end. Peak season typically runs from December through August, with the best action often happening during winter and spring months when the crabs are actively feeding and moving in the bay system. What makes Dungeness crabs so exciting to target is their unpredictability – one pot might come up empty while the next one fifty yards away is crawling with keepers. They're opportunistic feeders that respond well to fresh bait, and their behavior changes dramatically with tidal movement, water temperature, and seasonal patterns. The satisfaction of pulling a pot loaded with legal-sized males is hard to beat, especially when you know you're looking at several pounds of premium crabmeat that would cost serious money at the fish market. Mark's experience in these waters means he knows the seasonal movements, the productive depths, and the bottom types that consistently hold crabs throughout the fishing season.
Mark LaDuke's crabbing charters represent serious value for anyone wanting to experience Oregon's top-rated crab fishery without the investment in gear, boat maintenance, and years of learning the water. At $100 per person, you're getting professional equipment, local expertise, and access to productive areas that take most recreational crabbers years to figure out on their own. The intimate setting with the two-person minimum ensures personalized attention and plenty of hands-on learning, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced angler looking to expand your skills. Coos Bay's reputation as a world-class crab destination isn't just marketing talk – these waters consistently produce some of the best Dungeness crab fishing on the Pacific Coast, and Mark's operation puts you right in the middle of the action. Don't let another season slip by wondering what you're missing. Book your spot with Mark LaDuke Guide Service and discover why serious crab enthusiasts keep coming back to these productive waters year after year.
Step aboard this reliable 2018 Hewescraft for your Dungeness crab adventure in Coos Bay's productive waters. At 23.8 feet, this well-maintained vessel runs smooth with its 150 HP Yamaha main engine plus a quiet 9.9 kicker motor for stealthy approaches to crab pot locations. The GPS navigation keeps you on track to the best crabbing grounds while the fish finder helps Captain Mark locate structure where crabs love to hang out. Built tough for Oregon's coastal waters, this boat handles the bay's conditions with ease, giving you a stable platform to pull pots and sort your catch. The spacious deck provides plenty of room to work the gear and measure your keepers. Perfect for anglers looking to switch things up from fish to fresh crab.
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