BLUE CRAB TRAPS PLUS

A rot cord system is built in – which allows crabs to escape should the trap get lost. Two round escape holes allow juvenile crabs to escape. There are three tunnel entrances with inclined ramps leading up to them, which helps more crab get inside the trap.

BLUE CRAB TRAPS PLUS

It weighs in at a hefty 15 pounds, so you probably won’t need to add extra weights, plus you’ll get good workout pulling it up through the water! If you’re looking for a crab trap that will last for years without needing to be replaced, then this is the trap for you. It’s built like a tank and can easily withstand rough tidal conditions. This large, well-made trap is ideal for catching Dungeness and Red Rock crab. These are required by law in many areas, so make sure to check your local laws and regulations before heading out. Other features to look for are one or more escape hatches for smaller crabs, and a rot-cord system to disable the trap if it gets lost. Also, if you don’t bait the trap properly, crabs will be able to crawl on the outside of the trap and steal your bait! Crabs can sometimes get stuck in a door – jamming it open and allowing other crabs to escape. Keep in mind that one-way doors aren’t foolproof. Raised doors with ramps mean that crab will be able to find their way into the trap – even if it’s dropped on an uneven seafloor. The more doors, the more crab will find their way into your trap. When picking a cage trap look for one with multiple raised doors and ramps leading up to the doors. There are a variety of pot designs – from small, collapsible wire traps used by recreational crabbers all the way to the 100-pound steel pots used by commercial crabbing boats. Many crabbers will drop their pots off in the morning, and then pull them up later in the evening.

Keep in mind that once the bait is gone, no more crabs will enter the trap. They’re probably the most effective type of crab trap – but require a different technique than ring traps.īecause crabs can’t escape once they’ve entered the trap, you can leave a pot to soak in the ocean for hours at a time.

Cage Traps (Pots)Ĭage traps – often simply called ‘pots’ – are fully enclosed traps with one-way doors that allow crabs to climb in but not back out. They also need to be checked often, as crab can climb in and out at any time. These traps are heavier and bulkier than ring traps but are better at keeping crab from climbing out. This means crab can’t escape the trap as you pull it through the water. Slip rings work similar to traditional ring traps – with one major difference – they have an enclosed top. When pulled, this cylinder of netting pulls upwards and completely encloses any crab still inside the trap. This is where the harness attaches to the trap. Crabs are able to walk directly in and out of the trap from all directions to feed on the bait.Ī third ring with netting attached to it rests on the sea floor. When deployed, one ring rests on the sea floor, while the other ring is directly above it. Slip ring traps are constructed from two identical sized metal rings spaced 6 to 10 inches apart by the frame. Many crabbers also like to use them to survey an area for crab before dropping a larger pot. Ring traps are an excellent option for kayak crabbing, or any time space is at a premium. Many crabbers like to use a special four-point harness that keeps the trap even during retrieval. Ring traps aren’t enclosed on the top, so crabs can swim or climb out the top if you’re too slow. It’s also essential to pull the trap up rapidly without pausing. You don’t want to leave the trap submerged in the water for more than 15 – 20 minutes – or else you’ll pull it up empty with your bait gone! When the trap is pulled up, the outer ring rises above the lower ring, and any crabs still inside the ring are trapped.īecause crab can easily walk in and out, it’s important to retrieve a ring trap quickly. When the trap is deployed it lies completely flat on the sea floor allowing crabs to walk in and feed on the bait. These traps are made from two concentric rings with mesh netting connecting them. They’re lightweight, collapsible and easy to deploy – which make them great for beginners or anyone with limited boat space. Ring traps are the simplest and least expensive type of crab trap. Ultimately, the best trap will be the one that enables you to catch the most crab, which isn’t always the most expensive one. There are a wide variety of traps used in recreational crabbing – starting with cheap $20 netting ring traps up to sturdy $100 plus coated stainless steel pots.

Blue crab traps