Danielson Crab Trap Modifications for Kayak Crabbing

Last time I went out in Tillamook Bay, I stacked two rigged Danielson Crab Traps in my back well.  It was ok, but left me no room for anything else.

Since I have never had a problem with overcrowding with crabs in any of my traps, I'm thinking of modifying the traps to make them smaller, either in height or width, by cutting them down by one square of the wire mesh.

I'm also thinking of cutting a locking door in the top so I can remove the crabs without breaking down one of the sides.

Has anyone ever done any modifications like this?  The traps are cheap, so if I destroy one in the process, that's ok.  I'd just like them to be a little more efficient and space friendly.

Great idea - makes lots of sense especially in Washington when the limit is only 5 crabs per person.   Send pics after mods.

You can actually buy half traps not sure if there the same brand but I know they make them

I think Danielson made a smaller trap at one time or maybe they still do. My father- inlaw got one at a garage sell in Anacortes Wa. a couple of years ago and gave it to me because it was small and he thought it would work great for my kayak. It has the 4 doors, the drop down side to take the crab out and it measures, get this- 12in. tall by 17in.wide by 18 in. long perfect for the kayak. I have look high and low for another one and the only place that came close was at my local K-mart and they were going out of business at the time and I couldn't justify buying one at the time (stupid me)

I don't see how knocking them down one square is going to save space and leave you room for other things.  They would still be big and bulky.

-Allen

They break down fast and easy enough on the water. I bring 2 or three of them each time I go out. I don't see how its a problem. They lay flat and I stack them up and secure them under a bow bungee.

The end openings clip together with only 2 of the wire hooks to unsnap; open easy enough for me. I don't see how you can make or modify something that would work any easier.

By the way, Bi-mart has these Danielsen traps on sale right now for $14.99 a piece!

All good input that I was hoping to get from the group.  I like to paddle out with the traps already rigged, baited, and have the rope and float inside the traps, so all I have to do is pull the rope and float out and throw them in.

I'm not so concerned about the top heavy haul in the bay, but I'm concerned it will make a difference going through the surf.

I will come up with some kind of MacGyver modification and see what happens.   Stay tuned.

Thanks for the help.

FWIW, there are some Danielson knockoffs that have a door on top.  Top access is pretty useful.

-Allen

And here I thought danielson was the king of knock offs

Lots of smaller sized crab traps on this site.

http://www.easternmarine.com/Crab-Traps-Crabbing-Rings/

How are you securing the assembled traps to the kayak?

I transport the exact same traps, two, using pre-baited flat bait pouches, one trap collapsed and one erect, dropped over a PVC 'H' stuck down into the scuppers on my Revo13.

My plan for this year is to build a front hatch bucket using a Tugtrub, a la SFHarry's idea (http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=13170.0).  Keeper crabs go from the trap into the front hatch bucket, then the trap is collapsed.

I plan to build a holder for 2 erect traps out of PVC pipes. Basically a canvas around the bottom of the trap. I feel unsafe when I deal with the traps on the water. I even started to bring them one by one to the shore and sort crabs in 2 feet of water.

Crab line management, trap transport, and more:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/54098312/kayak/Crabbing/Kayak.Crabbing.html

Thank you for posting the link to your info Demonick.  Time to access the spare components in the shed.

I built a pvc cargo rack for the back of my Hobie Outback that fits an assembled crab trap flat.  I also built the rack so my cart can go in the back, out of the way.  I painted it black so it would match the kayak trim. 

I also have room underneath for fish storage, and they are protected from the seals. 

I screwed the pvc sections together to allow for modifications, which have already happened, after put into production on the water.