|
There is really no depth that you can choose to avoid the crab pots. In the winter probably up until about March, there will be gear out as far as 70 fathoms, and some guys will even go out farther. In the summer, there is a general rule that after August 15 gear is not supposed to be outside the 30 fathom curve, but occasionally the state decides that it is still ok to fish out there. There are always stray pots out there though that you have to watch out for even once the crabbers quit fishing.
From September 15 to Late November, there is very little gear out there at all. The towing lane or tug boat lane does not have to be free of crab gear. Lots of guys fish there. You run the risk of getting your gear chopped off, but it is sometimes worth it if there are a lot of crab.
The best way to avoid gear is to watch for pots. Other than this, look on your chart for areas of hard bottom and drive over that. The Washington Coast has lots of rocky bottom areas, and crabbers do not fish there.
|