Private Crabbing Charter - Winchester Bay
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 2hour Dungeness crab charter for up to six guestsDepart Winchester Bay and cross Umpqua River Bar offshoreGenerous 12 crab per person limit with handson experience
There's something special about hauling up a pot full of Dungeness crab from the waters off Winchester Bay. This isn't your typical fishing charter – it's a hands-on crabbing adventure that gets you right into the action. You'll head out on a private boat with up to five of your buddies, cruise across the famous Umpqua River Bar, and spend two hours working the crab grounds that have been producing keeper Dungeness for generations. With a generous limit of 12 crabs per person, you're looking at enough fresh crab to feed the whole crew back home.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll get you to the productive crab grounds where the Dungeness are hanging out. The trip starts from Winchester Bay, one of Oregon's top-rated crabbing ports, and you'll make the run across the bar into the Pacific. Don't worry if you've never pulled a crab pot before – your guide will show you the ropes. You'll learn how to work the hydraulics, identify keepers from throwbacks, and handle the crabs safely. The whole experience feels authentic because it is – this is real commercial-style crabbing, just scaled down for your group. Between pot pulls, keep your eyes peeled for sea lions lounging on the navigation buoys. These guys are regulars out here and always put on a good show.
The boat comes rigged with everything you need for a successful crab haul. We're talking hydraulic pot pullers, proper crab rings, and all the measuring tools to make sure you're keeping legal-sized Dungeness. The pots are baited with fresh bait – usually chicken or fish parts – and dropped in 40 to 80 feet of water where the crabs like to hang out. You'll learn to read the sonar to understand bottom structure and why crabs concentrate in certain areas. The technique is straightforward but there's an art to it – timing the pulls, working efficiently, and knowing when to move spots if the action slows down. Your captain handles the boat positioning and navigation, but you'll be doing the heavy lifting when it comes to working those pots. Dress in layers and bring rain gear – even on calm days, you can get splashed pulling pots.
Winchester Bay has been producing some outstanding Dungeness crab lately. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife sets the season dates, but when it's open, these waters consistently deliver quality crabs. Most keepers are running 6.5 to 7.5 inches across the shell, with plenty of meat in the legs and body. The key is targeting the right depth and bottom type – Dungeness prefer sandy and muddy bottoms where they can bury themselves and hunt for food. Your captain knows the seasonal patterns and will adjust tactics based on current conditions. Some days the crabs are more active in deeper water, other days they're feeding in the shallows. That local knowledge makes all the difference between a decent haul and filling your limit.
Dungeness crab are the crown jewel of Pacific Northwest seafood, and for good reason. These crabs can live up to 10 years and grow to impressive sizes – mature males often reach 8 or 9 inches across the carapace. They're incredibly active hunters, feeding on clams, fish, and smaller crabs along the ocean floor. What makes Dungeness special is their sweet, delicate meat that's packed into every leg and claw. The males are typically larger and meatier, which is why regulations focus on protecting breeding females and smaller males. Peak season usually runs from December through August, depending on molting cycles and ocean conditions. These crabs are smart – they'll often try to pinch their way out of pots or hide under bait boxes. That's part of what makes crabbing so engaging. Every pot pull is a surprise, and when you hit a good spot, you might pull up three or four keepers in a single pot.
If you're ready to experience some of Oregon's best crabbing, this private charter gives you the perfect opportunity to get out there and do it right. You're not fighting crowds or sharing space with other groups – it's just your party and an experienced captain who wants to put you on the crabs. The two-hour format is ideal for first-timers and seasoned crabbers alike. You'll get plenty of hands-on time without wearing yourself out, and there's enough action to keep everyone engaged. Plus, with a 72-crab limit for a full boat, you're looking at a serious seafood haul to take home. Book early, especially during peak season, because spots fill up fast when the crabbing is hot. There's nothing quite like pulling your own Dungeness out of the Pacific and knowing you earned every one of them.
This 2020 Hewescraft 28-footer is your ticket to serious crabbing off Winchester Bay. Twin 150hp Yamahas push this solid fishing platform to 37 knots, getting you to the crab grounds fast and back to dock with your haul. The boat handles the Umpqua River Bar like a champ and gives you plenty of room to work the crab pots with up to 5 other anglers. Everything's here for a productive day - fish finder to mark bottom structure, GPS and radar for navigation, VHF radio for safety, plus a bait tank and icebox to keep your Dungeness crabs fresh. The onboard toilet means no cutting trips short, and those outriggers give you extra stability when pulling heavy pots. Built for Oregon's coastal waters, this Hewescraft puts you right where the big Dungeness are waiting.
Oregon