Crab fishing from the pier - Balbo and Newport Reports

[carpanglerdude]

Trip #1:
Fished Newport Pier. Best trip so far - 10 crabs landed, largest so far, but all still too small to be legal. Used old salmon from a kind grocery store. Nice conditions, clear and chilly, not too many other anglers crowding the pier.
Ran into two other crab fishermen, both had similar results, with larger hoop nets. Water is a bit shallow.

Trip #2:
Video link for trip #2:
Fished Balboa Pier. Awful conditions - storm runoff really blew out any visibility and wind required me to use heavier weights to keep net down, with difficulty. Surprised I caught any thing- two small crabs seen in the above video.
Unfortunately, lost my net on the last pull -- got wrapped around a piling. Saved the rope though.

Pretty fun catching these socal crab but after 4 trips (last year, this year), I still have yet to land any legals from multiple piers. I've had better luck snorkeling for lobsters this season.


For reference - last year's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnN-SnMsy0