Tobeck’s Christmas Crab 3

Ever since former Seattle Seahawk and WSU Cougar lineman Robbie Tobeck stepped away from The Outdoor Line, I've had to listen to the "Cantankerous Cougar's" complaints:

"Boy, I never hear from you anymore,… We haven't been out fishing since I left the show"… etc,etc… you get the drift.

So, after hearing fairly solid crabbing and blackmouth reports, I made a plan to hook up with Robbie and his sons Mason and Madden for a little winter saltwater fun.

Obviously, Robbie missed the cold weather memo and showed up in shorts and his "Farmer Brown" boots. Winter crabbing in shorts…only Tobeck…

Fortunately Robbie sons Mason and Madden were aboard to help me haul the crab gear. Here Robbie takes the hook while "Mace" handles the pot line.

Mason had never seen a female dungeness packing her eggs… "What's that???" he asked.

"That," I replied, "is one of the reasons that WDFW's crab management has been so successful." In Washington State, it has been illegal to retain female crab for years. In my opinion, that has been one of the wisest wildlife decisions in State history.

It wasn't all females… There were some real dandy, large males in the bunch and there will be crab on the Christmas dinner table this year… for the first time in nearly 20 years!

Robbie got a little tired watching Mason do all the work on deck so he snuck up in the bow to snuggle with his youngest son Madden.

While the crab gear was soaking, we ran up to Elger Bay and all we could find was shakers and lots of baitfish! Here, Robbie brings a sub-legal close enough for a clean release.

Very quietly, there has been a solid December blackmouth bite going on right outside of Everett and the water has been flat calm for the whole month!

Winter crab season ends on December 31 but winter chinook season in Marine Area 8-1 & 8-2 runs through April 2012.

To all of our friends and listeners, thanks for a wonderful 2011 and we'll see you next year!

Tom Nelson
The Outdoor Line
710 ESPN Seattle
www.theoutdoorline.com