Can You Go Crabbing at Night in Oregon?

Crabbing is a popular activity along the Oregon coast, giving locals and visitors alike the chance to harvest tasty Dungeness crab. With over 360 miles of coastline, there are endless spots to drop a crab pot or ring. But when is the best time to go crabbing? Can you catch crab after dark or is it better to stick to daylight hours?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about night crabbing in Oregon including regulations, safety tips, and strategies to have a successful after-dark crabbing trip.

Oregon Crabbing Regulations Overview

Before grabbing your gear and heading out after dark it’s essential to be familiar with crabbing regulations in Oregon. Here are some key points

• A shellfish license is required for crabbers age 12 and up. Day and annual licenses can be purchased online or at local sporting goods stores.

• The minimum size for keeping male Dungeness crab is 5 3⁄4 inches across the shell, Female crabs must be released

• Daily limit per person is 12 male Dungeness crab,

• Crabbing is open year-round in bays, beaches, tide pools, piers and jetties. No seasonal closures.

• Ocean crabbing is closed October 16 – November 30 annually.

• There are no time of day restrictions. Crabbing is allowed 24 hours a day.

Night Crabbing Safety Tips

While not against regulations, crabbing at night does present some additional safety considerations:

• Make sure to have a headlamp or flashlight. Good lighting is essential for navigating docks or shoreline areas safely.

• If on a boat, running lights must be on and follow boating regulations for night navigation.

• Let someone know where you’ll be crabbing and when to expect your return.

• Take extra precautions if walking or positioning yourself near slippery rocks or fast moving water.

• Be aware of tide tables. Incoming tides can rise quickly leaving less shoreline area.

• Keep an eye on crab lines to avoid snags or entanglements.

• Have appropriate clothing for colder nighttime temperatures.

Following basic safety precautions will help ensure an incident-free crabbing trip after dark.

Strategies for Successful Night Crabbing

Beyond following the rules, there are some strategies veteran crabbers use to maximize success when crabbing at night:

• Target slack tides – Crabs tend to be most active right around slack tide when currents are minimal. Use tide tables to plan around nighttime slack tides.

• Light up pots/rings – Attaching small battery powered lights or glowsticks can help attract crabs to your gear at night.

• Use smelly bait – Smelly fish, chicken, or other meats can act like a scent lure when visibility is low at night.

• Drop pots before sunset – Giving your crab pots or rings an hour or two head start before nightfall can lead to better catches.

• Pick a familiar location – Opt for tried and true crabbing spots you know well to avoid navigational issues.

• Stay warm and dry – Having good rain gear, insulated boots, and layers can make a wet, cold night of crabbing more bearable.

While daytime crabbing may be more convenient, following these tips will improve your odds for crabbing success after the sun goes down.

Top Night Crabbing Spots in Oregon

Now that you know the rules and strategies, where are the best places to go for night crabbing in Oregon? Here are some top spots:

Bay and Dock Night Crabbing

• Newport – The Newport public fishing pier and bay docks are easily accessible at night. Parking and restrooms available.

• Garibaldi – Lighted public pier in Garibaldi allows easy access for dock crabbing.

• Bandon – Crabbers can fish right off the Bandon Boardwalk at night under bright lights.

• Charleston – Dock access off Boat Basin Road in Charleston for after-dark crabbing.

• Port Orford – Lighted dock makes this a prime night crabbing area.

Beach and Jetty Night Crabbing

• Clatsop Beach – Miles of beach north of Seaside for nighttime crabbing.

• Yaquina Bay State Park – Jetty is lit and accessible at night.

• South Jetty Beach – Part of Florence’s popular crabbing jetty can be fished at night.

• Bastendorff Beach – Beach near Charleston with easy access and parking.

• Hubbard Creek Beach – This spot south of Port Orford has beach and jetty access.

As long as you follow the regulations, crabbing beaches, docks, and jetties at night can produce nice catches of tasty Dungeness crab. Safety first and bringing adequate lighting are the keys to success.

Night vs Day Crabbing – Which is Better?

When planning a crabbing trip, you may wonder whether heading out during daylight or after sunset will lead to better results. Here’s a quick comparison:

Night Crabbing Pros

• Less competition from other crabbers

• Cooler temperatures keep crabs active

• Crab may feed more heavily under cover of darkness

Night Crabbing Cons

• Low visibility poses safety issues

• Requires good lighting

• Higher tides can limit shoreline access

Day Crabbing Pros

• Easier to monitor and rebait gear

• Warmer temperatures bring more crabs shallow

• Better ability to spot and avoid other lines/pots

Day Crabbing Cons

• Hot sun and cold ocean can be uncomfortable

• More recreational boat traffic during peak times

• Crowds at popular crabbing piers and docks

While there are pros and cons to both timeframes, often the best option depends on the crabbing location and your personal comfort level with nighttime fishing.

Quick Tips for Hassle-Free Night Crabbing

To wrap up, here are a few quick tips for a smooth and successful night of crabbing in Oregon:

• Check tide tables and go during slack tide periods

• Use glow sticks and battery powered lights on gear

• Fish from lit piers, docks, and jetties if possible

• Bring warm layers, rain jacket, headlamp, flashlight

• Keep an eye on bait and rebait as needed

• Be mindful of surroundings and footing in dim light

• Let someone know where you’ll be and your return time

• Bring a thermos of hot coffee or cocoa to stay warm

Follow these tips and crabbing after dark can lead to memorable nights of great Oregon coast crabbing. Just don’t forget your license and sturdy crabbing gear!

Crabbing at Night? Do it Safely and Legally

One of the great aspects of crabbing in Oregon is the ability to drop pots and rings 24 hours a day year-round. With proper preparation and by following safety best practices, night can be an ideal time to pursue tasty Dungeness crab.

Here’s wishing you many successful nights of Oregon crabbing under the stars! Let us know if you have any other crabbing questions.