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When and where do people go clamming and crabbing?

Crabbing and clamming don’t always go hand in hand.  You want to have minus tide for good clamming so that the beds are exposed. For crabbing, ideally you want a small tidal exchange so that the current isn’t too great.

You will find the most low tides in May, June and July but twice every month there are minus tides, during the full and dark phases of the moon.

A common saying for crabbing is “any month that ends in a ‘R’ has the best crab.”  The later into the fall the better.  During the summer, crabs are available but it can be hit and miss.  Also, there will be more soft crab in the summer.  A soft crab is one that has recently molted its shell and will not have as much meat.

Nehalem, Tillamook, Netarts, Yaquina, Alsea and Coos Bay are all very popular crabbing spots.  Nehalem, Tillamook nd Yaquina have some piers/docks you can crab from.  Most bays also have boat rental places.

Answered by David Johnson, Ask Oregon Fishing Expert
July 26th, 2012

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About Ask Oregon Expert David Johnson

Ask Oregon Fishing Ambassador David Johnson has an Associate's Degree in Fisheries, has been guiding for 19 years in Oregon, Washington and Alaska, and has authored or been featured in over 100 local and national magazines. He has also been a regular guest on NW radio and television programs. A resident of Tillamook County, David also enjoys hunting, clamming, crabbing and other outdoor recreation. Find out more about David's guiding service at www.davidjohnsonfishing.com.

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