Kodiak Island · Crabbing

Dungeness and tanner crab off Kodiak Island.

Pots go in the water at anchor. They come up the next morning heavy with fresh Dungeness. It's not the headline of the trip — it's the thing you remember at dinner every night.

Kodiak's protected bays are Dungeness country — soft bottom, cold water, and enough current to keep pots working every night.

Sport pots go over the side as soon as we set the hook. Bait is whatever the day gave us — salmon carcasses, halibut frames, a herring block. By breakfast the next day they're back on deck, and the yacht galley turns them around fast.

Tanner and king crab live in these waters too, but seasons and non-resident harvest are tight. We fish inside the rules — and Dungeness, honestly, is the crab most people would pick anyway if they'd eaten both.

Kodiak Island bay where crab pots are set
Kodiak Island · Dungeness water
Skiff running back to the yacht with crab pots

How it fits the trip

  • Zero effort. Pots go in when we anchor, come up when we move.
  • Fresh dinner. Two or three crab nights a week is normal.
  • Combo pricing. Crabbing is included in every hunting and fishing trip — no separate charter fee.
  • Weather-proof. Even when wind kills the shooting, the pots are still working.

Kodiak crabbing FAQ

What kind of crab can I catch on Kodiak?+
Dungeness is the main event — abundant, legal for sport pots, and fantastic eating. Tanner (snow) crab and king crab live in Kodiak waters but are tightly regulated. Full breakdown in our Kodiak crabbing guide.
How does crabbing work on a yacht-based trip?+
Pots go in the water when we drop anchor and come up the next morning or on our way out of the bay. Bait is salmon carcasses, fish frames, or herring. On a typical trip you eat fresh Dungeness two or three nights out of a week aboard the yacht.
When is the best time to crab on Kodiak Island?+
Dungeness are strong from summer through late fall. Our October–December deer and seaduck trips consistently pull heavy pots because the pressure has dropped and the crab are packed with meat.
Is this a dedicated crabbing charter?+
No. We don't run pure crabbing charters — the pots are part of every yacht-based hunting or fishing trip we run. If crab is what you want most, tell us and we'll position the yacht in the bays that consistently produce.
Do I need a license for crabbing?+
Non-residents need an Alaska sport fishing license — the same license that covers saltwater fishing also covers sport crabbing. Limits and closed areas change by year and location; confirm before harvesting.

Ready to plan a Kodiak trip with crab on the table?

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