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Old 05-22-2019, 12:09 PM   #1
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Desolation Sound - shrimp and crab?

Going to be making the trip to Desolation Sound mid June and haven't been there in over 20yrs. Currently setting up the tender for shrimping and crabbing, anyone care to share their favorite spots, and what depths? Thanks in advance!
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Old 05-23-2019, 11:26 AM   #2
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I can't help you but upon googling such a request I came up with some who love the Spot Prawns: Steve's American Tug News: Catching Prawns in Desolation Sound
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Old 05-23-2019, 12:02 PM   #3
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Thanks, that was going to be my general default...look for other traps. It will be an experience either way!
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Old 05-23-2019, 12:32 PM   #4
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Just realize that the commercial prawn season started on May 17th and is in full swing now. Usually ends mid to end of June.

Recreational traps on top of commercial traps are not well received.

There can be 50 traps on each commercial string.
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Old 05-23-2019, 04:23 PM   #5
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There's a 300 - 400 ft depth area south of the Tenedos park anchorage. Used to be productive, but that was 30 years ago. Also, close to the entrance to Squirrel cove we always see prawn traps.
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Old 05-23-2019, 08:43 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by w8n4sun View Post
Going to be making the trip to Desolation Sound mid June and haven't been there in over 20yrs. Currently setting up the tender for shrimping and crabbing, anyone care to share their favorite spots, and what depths? Thanks in advance!
So many people there in the summer nobody should fish for anything IMO.
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Old 05-24-2019, 08:19 AM   #7
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If the season is open I don't see a problem following the rules.
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Old 05-24-2019, 08:31 AM   #8
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I had almost no crab success and limited prawn in desolation, far better places either north or south. Prawn season has been great in the San Juan’s, pulled 3 people’s limit both days with 4 pots and 1 soak.
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Old 05-24-2019, 10:34 AM   #9
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Thanks Arthur.


On a side note, a friend recently invited us to look at a KK 54 and we really liked it. How long have you had yours?
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Old 05-24-2019, 11:21 AM   #10
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Over 2 years now. Absolutely love her.
I did a full retrofit (new wiring, plumbing, electronics, engine, genset, paint, bright work, windows, etc) but couldn’t be happier. Built like a tank, handles anything. Happy to go into details if you are interested.
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Old 05-24-2019, 02:26 PM   #11
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I had almost no crab success and limited prawn in desolation, far better places either north or south. Prawn season has been great in the San Juan’s, pulled 3 people’s limit both days with 4 pots and 1 soak.

Maybe I'm reading the regs incorrectly, but it appears to me like the San Juans are closed for crab. I'm new to the area so what am I missing?


https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfis...gulations/crab
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Old 05-24-2019, 03:23 PM   #12
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You aren’t incorrect, prawns are open now(ish), depends on area. Crab will open up mid july(ish)
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Old 05-24-2019, 03:33 PM   #13
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Thanks for giving the lowdown on KK 54s to my buddy. Really cool boat!
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Old 05-24-2019, 04:13 PM   #14
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Happy to help
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Old 05-24-2019, 04:31 PM   #15
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You aren’t incorrect, prawns are open now(ish), depends on area. Crab will open up mid july(ish)
Got it. You wrote prawns and I read crab. Thanks for the clarification.
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Old 05-24-2019, 05:52 PM   #16
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Crabs are rarely good in the Desolation Sound area. So poor most folks don't bother with the crab trap.
Prawns, on the other hand are usually pretty good, especially after the commercial season closes (usually early July). Those who reliably catch prawns do so because they have tried everything and have found a combination that works for them. Also because they are not tied to a location and will move to where their friends who are having success advise them to go. There are no guarantees that a place will produce. Overfishing will ruin any good producing place in a short while.
Get your Canadian License, observe the limits, don't crowd a busy prawn ground, good luck.
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Old 05-24-2019, 07:03 PM   #17
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Great advice. We are doing so more for the experience and are heading to Vancouver this weekend to grab licenses and a Telus SIM card. Flying the kids up to Deso for part of the trip and this, kayaking and paddle boarding should keep them busy and entertained.

I just want to get away from work and the rat race for 3 weeks and enjoy the beauty of the cruising area.
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Old 05-24-2019, 07:31 PM   #18
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Got it. You wrote prawns and I read crab. Thanks for the clarification.
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Old 05-31-2019, 12:39 PM   #19
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I have not had good luck in Desolation in the mid-summer. Too crowded and too many others trying to do the same thing. I go up to the Broughtons, normally crab in 40 feet more or less and try to look for an outfall coming down from the land, a small drainage or the like. I have tried cat food, chicken and salmon heads for bait. Salmon heads seem to work better. Be sure your licenses are in order.
As an aside, you can't get to the Broughtons from the south without traversing rapids. But they are a non-event at slack water, so read the tide chart and proceed.
Best of luck, let us know how the trip went.
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Old 05-31-2019, 01:01 PM   #20
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I have not had good luck in Desolation in the mid-summer. Too crowded and too many others trying to do the same thing. I go up to the Broughtons, normally crab in 40 feet more or less and try to look for an outfall coming down from the land, a small drainage or the like. I have tried cat food, chicken and salmon heads for bait. Salmon heads seem to work better. Be sure your licenses are in order.
As an aside, you can't get to the Broughtons from the south without traversing rapids. But they are a non-event at slack water, so read the tide chart and proceed.
Best of luck, let us know how the trip went.
Just back from 3 weeks in Desolation and the Broughtons, as far up as Port McNeil. Agree totally respecting the rapids on slack. Also if you time the currents you can really save on fuel. We were making 10.8 knots at our normal 6 knot rpm at times. (Averaged 1GPH for most of the trip)

The downside is you may need to “rise and shine” to catch the slack and tide direction you want or conversely wait things out.

Enjoy!
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