Pacifica Pier was buzzing with activity today, with crabbers filling every spot along the rail, all hoping for a good haul of Dungeness crabs. It’s that time of year when everyone flocks to the pier for crabbing, and the energy was contagious. The overcast sky and cool breeze off the water kept the crabs active, and judging by the crowd, I wasn’t the only one with high hopes for the day.
Finding a spot took a bit of patience, but I finally squeezed in and set up my traps. The water was calm, making it a good day to test a mix of bait types. I started with chicken drumsticks in one trap and fish scraps in another, hoping the variety would bring in a few hungry crabs. The trick here is patience—give the crabs time to find the bait and hope they don’t wander off before pulling up.
After about 20 minutes, I brought up my first trap. To my surprise, it was empty, but that’s part of the game. Nearby anglers were also pulling up traps, some empty, others with a few small crabs that didn’t meet the size limit. It’s all about timing and luck with crabbing, and the busy pier added a bit of friendly competition to the day.
Not giving up, I dropped the traps again and waited. This time, a light mist began to roll in, which seemed to stir things up in the water. On my second pull, I had a bit more luck—two Dungeness crabs, one just above the legal size. The other went back into the water, but I was off to a start. Around me, folks were seeing similar results: mostly small crabs with the occasional keeper.
As the day went on, the pier got even more crowded, with everyone sharing stories about past catches and tips on the best baits. I rebaited and waited a bit longer, hoping for another good pull. The next trap had three crabs, two of which were big enough to keep. The size was decent, not huge, but good enough for a solid haul. At this point, I had three keepers, and the vibe on the pier was lively, with most people managing a few decent catches.
Later in the afternoon, I got a heavier tug on my line, indicating something bigger might have wandered into the trap. With a bit of anticipation, I pulled up to find a larger Dungeness—definitely the biggest of the day. This one had some weight and was well above the legal size. It’s rare to land a large one like this, and it added an extra highlight to the trip.
As the sun began to set, the action slowed, and the crowd started to thin out. I ended up with four solid crabs, which isn’t a limit but made for a successful day. There’s something special about crabbing at Pacifica Pier, especially with the mix of locals and first-timers all trying their luck. Even with the packed pier, the camaraderie and steady catches kept things interesting.
Pacifica Pier delivered a good mix of excitement and reward, with enough action to make the wait worth it. With the Dungeness season in full swing, it’s clear that this spot has a lot to offer, even on crowded days. A steady hand, the right bait, and a bit of patience made for a memorable day of crabbing.
