RECREATIONAL CRAB TRAPS

There are crab traps and crab pots. A popular method of catching blue crabs used by the everyday recreational crabber is using different types of small crab traps. Crab pots are used by commercial crabbers or are found at the end of piers and stay in the water for longer periods of time. They are heavier and can hold many more crabs. Under normal circumstances they are simply too large and heavy for recreational use. Traps are very portable, light in weight and easy to bait and store. Made of vinyl coated wire, these traps come as squares, rectangles, rings, topless traps, collapsible hand traps, umbrella style hand crab pots and other trap configurations. Vinyl coated wire is important as it stands up well in the salty waters where crabs live. Make sure you have traps which meet regulations for your area. If you are using trotlines, go to the trotline page for more information.

ABOVE LEFT: There are lines attached to each side which opens. The lines are then tied together several inches above the top.

ABOVE CENTER: All the sides of the crab trap open when the line is released of any tension. NOTE: always use line that will not float, stretch and can be stored wet without deteriorating such as nylon.

ABOVE RIGHT: Fasten the bait to the trap. Pictured is a cable tie, a plastic fastener which is threaded through one of the cross members. Once in place, it can be closed into a loop to secure the bait. You can also use a stainless steel clip.

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ABOVE LEFT: Bait, such a chicken leg, is placed through the cable tie. The small end of the bone, as pictured, is then held in place when the tie is pulled tight. Once done, snip off the excess plastic and throw it in a trash bag.

ABOVE CENTER: Traps are then placed in the water at the depth you desire. Having a depth finder makes this job easy. Place them a few feet apart so you can maneuver your boat easily.

ABOVE RIGHT: Let the traps soak for a while. It takes time for the crabs to find the bait so wait several minutes before pulling the traps to the surface. If you crab from a boat which requires that you lean over the side and grab the float then a boat hook comes in handy for this purpose. Simply hook the float, in this example an empty plastic jug, and pull it upwards. When the line is tight, the sides of the trap close and any crab(s) inside will be caught.

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ABOVE LEFT: Being careful when the trap is out of the water, grab the trap, hold it over your basket and shake the crab(s) out; re-bait the trap if necessary and put it back in the water.

If you are uncertain about the legal size of a crab, measure it. See the CRABBING EQUIPMENT page for tips.

ABOVE CENTER: When you are finished, pull all the traps from the water one by one. Snip the plastic tie; remove it and toss it in a garbage bag along with any bait that might be left. Wrap the line around the float of a trap and place the float into the trap.

RIGHT: Turn the trap over and repeat the process. Stack the traps on one another for easy storage.