Partner Story
Introduce the next generation to the joys of catching your own dinner this winter.
Nothing brings a family closer together than making great memories — and your kids will never forget the first time they pluck a feisty Dungeness from the Pacific. Bandon is known for craggy sea stacks and crashing waves, but it’s also a great place to learn to crab and fish. Here’s how to plan your next family foraging trip to the South Coast.
Cast a Pot, Ring or Snare for Dungeness Crab
The crab ring has been underwater for 20 minutes. Friendly locals of the harbor seal and seagull variety wait anxiously for your crustacean castaways. As you grab the rope and steadily pull it in, you feel like you’re opening a gift from the ocean. The question is: How bountiful will it be?
This is crabbing on the Oregon Coast. And there’s no better place than the charming town of Bandon for your family to try this exciting activity — and no better time than in winter.
Located near the heart of the historic downtown, two piers on Bandon Bay invite you to stay awhile. The first is near the marina, where a long series of weathered planks leads to productive water. Throw out your crab ring or pot baited with chicken or fish within an hour of low or high tide. Just be sure it’s attached to at least 40 feet of rope; the bay is deep and the current can be swift. Crabbing with a ring is a hands-on experience. You’ll want to pull them up frequently so your clawed wonders can’t escape. Using a crab pot is a more leisurely affair, where you can enjoy warm cocoa while collecting your thoughts and, hopefully, your dinner. Speaking of claws, remember to grab your crab from behind so you’re not on the receiving end of their pincers.
Nearby, on the western side of the marina riverwalk, you’ll find the ADA-accessible Pullen Pier. It’s designed for snaring, a technique that lets you cast your fishing pole with bait and specialized loops that trap the crab’s legs on the retrieve. The pier’s lower rails make bringing in your catch easier, but the thrill of landing a big male Dungeness crab is all the same.
Fish for Salmon on the Coquille River
Dark clouds hover overhead, but they’re no match for your kid’s joyful screams as they reel in a salmon that’s pulling hard. Prior to 2021, this scenario might not have been possible were it not for a volunteer partnership between ODFW and the Coquille Tribe. After years of removing invasive smallmouth and rehabilitating the Coquille River, chinook and coho swim free here once again. That is, until they tug on your line. When they do, you can’t help but wonder if you have the fish or if the fish — and the experience — has you.
Several captains, many of whom have plied these waters for years, can put your family into the center of all the action. At Rick Howard Guide Service and Zachary Napier Guide Service, catching fat coho and chinook in the Coquille and nearby rivers is on the agenda, while the family-owned Prowler Charters specializes in halibut and tuna. The Fish Oregon Guide Service powerboat seats four comfortably while speeding quickly to prime fishing areas.
Eat Seafood, Pizza or Nachos and Stay in a Cozy Hotel
After a day spent in the brisk open air, it’s time for a warm meal. If you were lucky enough to catch a hearty legal-size crab, Tony’s Crab Shack will cook and dress it for a nominal fee. Add a bowl of clam chowder and you’ve got the makings of a satisfying, memorable meal.
If the bay wasn’t cooperating, there are plenty of other ways to curb your appetite. At Bandon Sushi, the delectable rolls may be filled with local albacore or Dungeness crab. Or stop by Bandon Brewing for pizza and family fare, where you’ll find that it goes big on fresh ingredients ― think nachos stacked 6 inches high ― baked in a wood-fired oven. Top it off with a hand-crafted cider or beer brewed on-site. Visitors can enjoy a bit of Ireland (Bandon has a sister city there of the same name) with a visit to Foley’s Irish Pub for a shepherd’s pie and a Guinness.
When it’s time to call it a day, Bandon offers a variety of family-friendly lodgings. Overlooking Old Town Bandon, the marina and the ocean, the newly updated Bandon Inn is perched on a bluff. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a complimentary continental breakfast and fresh-baked cookies each evening. A short drive from Old Town Bandon leads to the Best Western Inn at Face Rock, where a private path offers access to the stunning beach near the property. Or relax your tired muscles in the indoor hot tub while your kids use up their remaining energy in the pool.
Oceanfront and ocean-view rooms at Sunset Oceanfront Lodging are great spots to watch the sun dip behind the sea stacks on the ocean horizon. Enjoy a continental breakfast included with any room, and be sure to book a room with a private deck or patio.
Before You Go
Be sure to purchase a crabbing or fishing license and familiarize yourself with the regulations. If you don’t have all the gear you need, several places in town, such as Port O’ Call, offer rentals and everything you need.
Top photo by Manuela Durson
