Massive Spider Crabs and Lobsters | Telsa Camping Adventure
Written by The Lost Anchovy March 2, 2024
Introduction
This week I travel down to Southern California to get on the hot spiny lobster crawl. Spiny lobsters, native to the middle and Southern California Coastline, are particularly active in the evening, around reefs, and jetties. Popular kayak fishing locations are Redando beach, venture harbor and Dana point. I am no expert, but I continue to learn about the fishery where I can and pass the information along
For Southern California residents going lobster hooping is akin catching Dungeness crab up here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Both are crustaceans and they behave very similarly regarding tides and locations. Check out my “How to kayak fishing for Dungeness crab” tutorial to get a breakdown on how to hoop for crab and lobsters. There are a few key differences such as having lights, and hooping times but it’s similar enough to get added value
For this trip, I’m traveling down in the Tesla model y – A great car for traveling, kayak fishing and of course Tesla camping. Tesla camping is great way to cut back on the cost of gas (fuel), and lodging; it has allowed me to spend multiple day on the road targeting different species such as lobsters at the fraction of the price that I use to spend. While there are some drawbacks, overall, I find it to be a net positive experience.
Tesla super charging network
There are lots of reasons for the slow down in Ev adoption, and that is ok. Many of the concerns are warranted such as range anxiety, increases cost of charging(Thanks PGE), and the lack of a reliable charging infrastructure. Check out my video on “Five thing to know before buying a Tesla” for more information.
I will say, from a first hand EV owner, range anxiety, at least in California for Tesla owners (sorry everyone else), should not be a concern. There are ample charging stations along highway 5 and in Southern California. The charging stations are mainly located near shopping centers, and rest stop that allow for owner to take a meal break while the EV is charging. Most of the time I find myself half way through a meal or bathroom break before my car pings me it’s time to go.
Cost of charging
For this trip my over all charing expense totaled $106.59 (both ways); This is a based on a mixture of peak charging at 40-45 cents a kWh and off peak charging at 19-24 cents a kWh. Additionally, I was at 98% charge before leaving my home. My average wh/mile was around 388 which is high given the car topping of the kayak which I have brought up in past video – This is the reality of EV ownersg
Arriving at Redando Beach & Hooping
Typically, my journey from the Bay Area to Southern California spans about 6 hours, mainly due to the additional charging stops. For those planning a day trip for lobster hooping, I highly recommend an early departure to allow a few hours of rest before embarking on your adventure.
Redando is an excellent spot for lobster hooping, thanks to its proximity to the break wall from the launch point. Most days, I manage to reach the lobster grounds in just 20 minutes, ensuring my hoops are in the water before the sun sets below the horizon. The trick lies in having the hoops prepared and submerged before sunset, just as the bugs begin their nightly crawl.
After letting the pots soak for 45 minutes to an hour on the initial round, it’s time to check and reposition them. The key to successful lobster or crab hooping is to keep shifting until you find the sweet spot where the bugs thrive. If I’m not seeing a decent catch over a few sets, I relocate my pots to different areas. However, there are times when the crawl is slow, so the second piece of advice is to exercise patience and wait for the beginning or end of a tide change to see if the activity picks up.
During this particular trip, I’m treated to an unexpected surprise—a first-time encounter with a spider crab, and it’s a sizable one! To my amazement, a few hours later, I land a second spider crab. Catching crabs of this magnitude is an entirely new experience for me, and to say I was “shocked” would be an understatement. While these crabs are delicious, extracting the internal meat requires a bit of effort (think hammer)
Tesla Camping
Tesla camping is a game changer when combined with Kayak fishing; however, it’s best to be prepared before any adventure.
Recommended equipment. Here is a list of recommended equipment that I use when doing long road trips in the Tesla.
- Tesla mobile charger (emergency back up)
- TT30 adapter (Campsites with 30 amp)
- Privacy shades
- Blow up mattress or sleeping pad
- Comfortable pillow & Blanket
- Camping lights (Optional but so cool!)
- Rtic 45 cooler
Note: I have full coverage when it comes to emergency roadside assistance. Tesla does not provide a spare tire or emergency repair kit. This is something to take into account. Tesla does offers road side assistance via the app. The probability is low of a flat tire but it’s not 100%. Take into your own risk tolerance.
Where to Launch
Launching at Redando Beach is a straightforward. The parking lot provides easy access to a hand ramp. While the parking is typically hourly, it’s worth noting that after midnight, the parking attendant leaves, and parking becomes free.
For launching the kayak, having two people can be helpful, but I’ve personally never encountered issues launching and landing solo. The key is to proceed with caution and take your time—go slow, and you should be just fine.
Where to Tesla Camp?
Let me be clear – I am relatively new to Tesla camping. I am still learning as I go but it’s something that has great appeal for the worldly travelers as myself, or possibly YOU! So far I found that Tesla camping at parking lots to be most economical and convenient, but I look forward to exploring KOA campsites and other public RV sites in the future. If you guys have recommendations let me know in the comments! I would love to explore it and let others know in the future.
Conclusion
There is lots to love about Tesla camping and kayak fishing. The freedom that Tesla camping provides opens up a new world for multi day trips. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that with EV road trips, careful planning is key—emphasis on the word PLAN! Yet, every remarkable road trip is built on a foundation of good planning.
I have enjoyed my journey so far. It’s been a ton of fun as I explore the new would that has open up for me. There are lots of pros and cons to the what I am doing. I’m committed to being candid about my journey, sharing both the highs and lows, with the hope of helping many others, like yourself, make well-informed decisions in their own ventures. Good luck tight lines –TLA
Pretty interesting! Makes me want to start a new hobby! Thanks for the info.!