C&C at Bandon, OR…
Left Reedsport at 6:00 AM heading for Bandon to do a bit of Dungeness crabbing outside the jaws while trolling for Chinook inside, near the jetty. Due to the full moon; we had a minus tide which is lower than normal and a plus high tide where it was higher than normal. This means there is a large amount of water moving both in and out on the tides. Because there was a full moon last night causing those tides, I gave us a lower than normal chance at bagging a salmon.
Yesterday was spent working on the boat. We added Scotty Striker rod holders on flush mounts for the forward two and kept the rail mount for striker mounts on the rear. In addition we finished the depth sounder mount assembly just in case we should need that apparatus (see the photos).
We arrived in Bandon about 7AM and by the time we went a good mile away from the jaws and laid all six Crab pots it was nearing 8AM.
I’m told by some in the know the fish are seemingly following baitfish in and out with the tides, so we targeted those fish. After the second pass, the current became almost a rip tide it was so fast. We were actually backing up when trolling at 1.8mph, while using a full 10oz cannon ball weight to keep the cut plug Herring close to the bottom.
The first Chinook came near 9:30; a buck of 16 pounds on a cut plug, blue (Pro-Cure) dyed Green Label Herring. Adrenaline rush… the skunk is off! Well, for my friend Doug.
A full hour later my rod lunged down signaling a good fish. After a short 25 minute battle, seeing the fish make one heavy determined run after another I knew I’d be pleased to land this behemoth. I was actually hoping him to be her (eggs and all). But, when all was said and done he came to the scales at 33 pounds and nose to tail at 44 inches.
The rest of the day was anticlimactic because of the morning’s excitement. We did however, come home with two limits of Bandon Dungeness crab in addition to beautiful Salmon… We are going to Bandon again in a couple of days as you might have guessed.
Side note: Crab at Winchester Bay and Charleston seem to have a large accumulation of barnacles, while those at Bandon were larger and had absolutely none. We mentioned this to the ODFW Biologist who checks boats in and she said she didn’t know why, but the question was a good one and she would research it.
Second note, I’ve shared Bandon Dungeness Crab with several people who state the Bandon Crab are far superior and sweeter than others. Suppose it has to do with their habitat and as well as… no barnacles??? Why no barnacles? Hope she comes up with a real answer.
