It’s a warm sunny December morning in Half Moon Bay California. Not too much wind and the seas are calm, perfect kayaking weather. My wife Jaii and I got up well before dawn to make the two hour drive from Monterey to San Mateo to meet our friend Shannon and load up the kayaks and gear for the trip.

Getting the kayaks ready for some crabbing

After a short drive over the hill to the coast, we are now unloading our boats, prepping our gear, and stowing our cold beers for the hunt. The sun is just starting to peek over the breakwater as we push our boats into the still, golden water and set off. The anticipation, and hunger, can be felt by all as we paddle out in search of the most delicious of sea-bugs, the Pacific Dungeness crab.

Paddling the kayaks out of Pillar Point Harbor

The seagulls and pelicans are lined up, squawking along the rocky breakwaters as we make our way out of the harbor. The tiny kayaks are dwarfed by the fishing boats and sea-going vessels in the marina. In fact, out boats are not even designed to be in the ocean, they’re tiny river kayaks not intended for any kind of swell or surf.