Alaska Fly Fishing – Get to Know Alaska’s Big Crabs
Author: admin
Crab fishing in Alaska is a great experience. But before you go crabbing, you’ll need to know some details about Alaska’s crab species. Having this knowledge will enhance your fishing experience and when you know how to identify them, you’ll have an easier time fishing for crabs. Read on to find out more about tanner, king and dungeness crabs.
Tanner Crabs
Known by two names, tanner crabs or snow crabs are a popular crab species in Alaska. You probably recognize snow crabs as the ones with the tasty red legs. These crabs have a semi-transparent shell with a small abdominal flap. Like other Alaskan crabs, tanners have five sets of pointy legs including one set with pincers. Smaller than king crabs, tanners typically range from a to 4 pounds in weight.
Many types of fish feed on tanner crabs and of course, humans enjoy them too. Their fish predators include bottomfish (like pollack or cod), oily fish (like herring.)
King Crabs
Also known as stone crabs, king crabs are the most sought after crabs in Alaska. The king crab population consists of three different species. The three types of kings are red, blue and golden crabs. All three species are prevalent in Alaska’s waters.
King crabs are identified by spiny shells, five distinct pairs of legs and fan shaped tails that curl under the back part of their shells. The first four legs on both sides are visible, but the fifth pair is tucked under their back shell. King crabs also have front pincers, of which the right pincer is slightly larger than the left. The large size of kings also sets them apart from other types of crabs. These monster crustaceans can reach weights of over 20 pounds.
Like humans, many organisms enjoy dining on king crabs. Major predators include cod, octopus, otters, other king crabs and Alaskan halibut In fact, there have been cases of fishermen finding 10 or more king crabs in a halibut’s belly.
Dungeness Crabs
These crabs are characterized by wide oval shaped bodies enclosed in a hard semi-transparent shells. Like king and tanner crabs, dungeness have five sets of legs with one set containing pincers. You can tell the difference between dungeness crabs and other species because they have small short legs and they lack a spiny shell. Dungeness crabs are around the same size as tanners and not as large as kings. Mature adults generally weigh about 2 to 3 pounds and are over 6 inches long.
Major predators include dogfish, octopus, otters and other crabs (including those of the same species.) At the larvae stage, crabs are food to fish like salmon.
Now that you know the distinguishing features of Alaska’s crab species, you can easily tell them apart from one another. Fishing for crabs can be a lot of fun and a nice change from rod and reel once in a while. Plus, nothing makes a better meal than fresh steamed crabs. Happy Fishing!
E. Klages provides Alaska fishing trip information and advice online for anglers visiting the Frontier State. The website, “Alaska Fishing 411″ covers a wide range of topics from Alaskan fish species to fishing locations and fishing lodges.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Klages
Ok so 3 more posts today that I’ve dug up – I’m an information JUNKIE on this stuff lately. Give em a browse and let me know what ya reckon. They’re just from a few different sites I’ve been surfing lately that are generally good for information like this…
Larry Lyons: The carp's reputation is changing
Fly fishermen have long had the reputation (deserved or not) of being on the snobbish side but now the lowly carp is taking the fly fishing world by storm. … Read More…
How to land a commercial fishing job in Alaska
And yes, you'll probably have to fly to Alaska without a job offer in hand. Go live in Seward, Kodiak, Homer or any of these small towns. … Read More…
Digital Versions Allow Instructors to Rewrite the (Text)book
Ureneck says he's not worried about anyone messing with his memoir Backcast: Fatherhood, Fly-fishing, and a River Journey Through the Heart of Alaska, … Read More…
That’s all the news for today guys, so until next time, thanks for stopping by.
Cruising To Alaska – A Trip To Remember
Visiting Alaska by cruise ship has become one of the most popular ways to experience Alaska’s breathtaking beauty and diverse culture. Cruises incorporate all that Alaska has to offer including glaciers, wildlife, exotic ports of call, entertainment and fine dining.
Some of the most popular Alaskan cruises are glacier cruises. Much of the Alaskan terrain consists of gorgeous, formidable glaciers and ice fields which cover over 5% of Alaska’s land surface. This natural beauty can be seen from many top tourist destinations of Alaska including Juneau, Valdez, Seward and the Matanuska Valley, but is usually only fully appreciated with an up close and personal view that only a cruise can afford. From this vantage point you will stand spellbound by tidewater glaciers that reach over 100 ft. in height and the antics of wildlife such as humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, dolphins, brown bears and bald eagles.
The Gulf of Alaska is also a popular cruise option. Many cruise lines offer week-long cruises from Seward to Vancouver or vice versa. Along the way you can take in such highlights as Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord and interesting ports of call including Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. At each port you can take advantage of unique and exciting land activities such as helicopter glacier landing, guided tours, and sightseeing, just to name a few.
Because of the awe-inspiring beauty of the Alaskan inside passage and since many destinations along the Alaska inside passage are only accessible by plane or boat, these cruises have become one of the most popular tourist attractions of the state. From the waterway of the passage, one can look upon some of the most magnificent natural scenery to be found such as coastal rainforests, deep blue fjords and tidewater glaciers. Also
1000
to be found in the passage are numerous species of wildlife including humpback whales, sea lions and seabirds.
Some Alaska cruise liners even incorporate land packages as part of their cruise options. With an optional land package, visitors can spend an additional five to seven days exploring all that Alaska has to offer from land. You can explore one of the many cities or national parks, take advantage of Alaska’s world-renowned sport fishing, or visit famous mining towns.
As you can see, there are many Alaska cruises to choose from, and each promise memories of adventure and excitement to last a lifetime. Which one is perfect for you? That is for you to decide.
By: Ron Richards -
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards lives in the beautiful Matanuska Valley. Ron invites you to come and see Alaska. One excellent way to enjoy Alaska is by taking an affordable Alaska cruise.
Mail this post
