Crab price set, North Coast fishermen ready to set out pots

<p>North Coast fishermen and processors have reached an agreement on the price of crab, clearing the way for the opening of the commercial season on Thursday.</p><p>The price agreement is for $3 a pound, said Bodega Bay fisherman Chuck Wise.</p><p>Wise said that fishermen will be going out Wednesday morning to set their crab pots, which they can begin pulling up Thursday.</p><p>Wise said that some fishermen will be bringing crab into port as early as Thursday night, so there may be some crab in stores as early as Friday.</p><p>“It takes a couple days to set our gear, we might deliver on Friday,” said Bodega Bay fisherman Chuck Wise. “There will be some boats delivering on Thursday. Yeah, by the weekend for sure, I would think.”</p><p>The season opens Thursday for the central California coast, which is from the Gualala River to Morro Bay.</p><p>The season north of Gualala River was scheduled to open Dec. 1, but the opening is being delayed to allow time for crabs to get bigger.</p>