Here we go again... CDFW hanging the industry out to dry until the very last second. Less than a month away from season opener, we only have a hint that hoop nets are the only option for offshore crabbing and for who knows how long. This impacts our "COMBO TRIP" value especially with the high costs that have remained post COVID. If the ability to get quality limits of fish and crab is impacted are people willing to shell out the big bucks? That is the question...

I had few members ask if our club will book a combo trip, which has influenced me to write about what has caused the changes that are happening. This article is my observation, thoughts and opinions based on what I saw last year. This year is unknown because CDFW who runs the show has not provided anything concrete as to if pots will be banned again and if so for how long. I received a notice (I am a subscriber of CDFW notifications) stating they are clarifying some technical jargon for hoop nets, which in my opinion says we are in for the same ride as last year... I personally did not do any combos last year, so I couldn't tell you what the experience was like. I could only tell you that I am paying a lot more attention this year since my freezer crab stock is gone and it's time to get more!

Take a look at my article and chime in on your points of views, experiences from last year and what you are planning for this year.