5.0(1 Reviews)Crabbing Adventure Off Winchester Bay
5.0(1 reviews)
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Twohour shared charter pulls Dungeness crab pots offshoreCatch up to 12 crabs per person from Pacific watersDecember through October season accommodates all experience levels
Get ready to haul in some serious Dungeness crab on this shared 2-hour charter that puts you right where the action is. Winchester Bay sits perfectly positioned where the Umpqua River meets the Pacific, creating one of Oregon's top-rated crabbing spots. From December through mid-October, SOA Charters runs these customer-favorite trips that let you pull up to 12 keeper crabs per person. Whether you've never touched a crab pot or you're a seasoned pro, this trip delivers that hands-on experience every crabber craves.
Your captain knows exactly where to drop those pots for the best results. We're talking prime bottom structure where Dungeness crabs love to hang out – sandy and muddy areas with plenty of bait opportunities. The boat heads out from Winchester Bay's protected harbor, giving you a smooth ride to the crabbing grounds. Once we reach the spots, it's all about the pull. You'll feel that weight on the line when a pot comes up loaded, and there's nothing quite like seeing those beautiful orange and purple shells tucked inside. The two-hour window gives everyone plenty of time to work multiple pot pulls while soaking in those coastal views. At $100 per person, you're getting access to prime crabbing territory that produces consistently, plus the expertise of a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Crab pots work by creating an easy entry point for crabs chasing bait, but making it tough for them to find their way back out. The captain sets pots in 40 to 80 feet of water, targeting areas where crabs naturally forage. When it's time to pull, you'll grab the line and haul hand over hand – it's a real workout when you've got a loaded pot down there. The key is steady pressure and patience. Don't rush it or you might lose your catch halfway up. Once the pot breaks the surface, that's when the excitement really kicks in. You'll sort through your haul, measuring each crab to make sure it meets the minimum size requirement of 5.75 inches across the shell. Only male crabs can be kept, so you'll learn to tell the difference by checking the underside – males have a narrow, triangular flap while females have a wider, rounded one. Any undersized crabs or females go right back over the side to keep the population healthy.
"Very kind. Great time with kids!" - Brian
Dungeness crabs are the crown jewel of Pacific Northwest crabbing, and Winchester Bay produces some beauties. These crabs can live up to 10 years and reach weights of 2-3 pounds, though most keepers you'll pull up run between 1.5 and 2 pounds. They're incredibly smart – way smarter than most people give them credit for. Dungeness crabs are opportunistic feeders, which means they'll go after everything from small fish and clams to dead bait sitting in your pot. The best crabbing happens when water temperatures are cooler, typically from late fall through early spring, but Winchester Bay's unique geography keeps productive crabbing going well into October. What makes catching them so rewarding isn't just the fight – though they'll definitely put up resistance when you're pulling that pot – it's knowing you're taking home some of the sweetest, most prized seafood on the West Coast. The meat is incredibly sweet and delicate, perfect for everything from simple steaming to crab cakes and bisques.
Winchester Bay crabbing doesn't get much better than this. You're looking at a world-class fishery, experienced guides, and the chance to fill your cooler with premium Dungeness crab in just two hours on the water. The season runs long – December through October 14th – so you've got plenty of opportunities to get out there. At 12 guests max, these trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the crabs are most active. Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you commit. But honestly, with crabbing this good and a setup this solid, you're looking at one of the best ways to spend a morning or afternoon on the Oregon coast. Book your spot with SOA Charters and get ready to work for your dinner – the best kind of seafood is always the kind you pull up yourself.
The 2020 Hewescraft cuts through Winchester Bay waters with authority, her twin 150hp Yamaha engines pushing this 28-footer to a solid 37 knots when you need to cover ground fast. Built for Oregon's coastal conditions, she's rigged with everything serious crabbers need - outriggers for smooth pot pulling, a live bait tank, and professional-grade electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder to locate the best crabbing spots. The spacious deck gives you room to work those crab pots without bumping elbows, while the onboard icebox keeps your Dungeness haul fresh for the trip back to dock. Weather turns nasty? No problem - the radar and VHF radio keep you connected and safe. After hours of pulling pots in the Pacific swells, you'll appreciate the onboard head. This boat handles Winchester Bay's challenging bar crossing and open ocean like the workhorse she is, getting you to productive crabbing grounds and back with your limit of fresh Dungeness.
5.0 out of 5.0Very kind. Great time with kids!
Oregon