crabs

Finally the weather is slowing a bit.
 Has anyone gotten out for crabs yet?  Maybe not the season in your area yet.
 I think I'm ready, got all my bait boxes and lines attached, just waiting for the ocean to go flat for a day or so. Still a LARGE swell present but it is subsiding slowly.
 Commercial crabbers are soaking pots this weekend to start on Monday, crabs are full and ready down here. I know cuz we had some this week thanks to our neighbor who is a commercial fisherman.
 Made for a very tasty Alfredo sauce for pasta!
 Has anyone got a favorite trap or hoop they like? I have the small star traps (very delicate) and you have to stay near and check often as they like to walk the bottom, even after adding some of MOOCHES BALLS to them. would like something tough but not so big you can't get em over the yak.
 Thanks

I use the Danielson folding traps- cheap and relatively efficient for the price. A little heavier, and bigger, than the star-traps; but nice to be able to leave and soak, without constant tending.

ARE THESE THE RECTANGULAR ABOUT 3' X 2' X 8" ?
 I have seen these but they looked a little heavy. How hard are they to hoist out of the water full of crab?
 I like the idea of soaking at least overnite once in a while when the weather is good. These little star traps are best used inside a jetty or bay with no wave action to beat on em.
 I used the same thing in the '70's off the docks in Crescent City, they are not as tough as I remember them back then!
 Thanks for the reply, I was thinking all had gone away as quite as it has been here for a few days. I guess the weather has a lot to do with it. 

They're maybe 2'x2'x8"; run about $25.

I recall someone on the NCKA board that found some lighter folding traps, but that were more expensive.

When pulling, keep the line as close to your hull (and center of gravity) as possible. When you get the trap just below the surface, grab a corner and sling it onboard. (Let the trap turn sideways- you may some of the small crabs, but you would have to release them anyways. The traps weigh less than 10lbs., I'd guess- not too hard to pull.

Good luck!

I'll pulled those Danielson traps on a kayak before.  When you get them to the top, do like Pisco says.  I straddled the kayak and slid them right up in front of me, leveraging them over the gunnel.

-Allen

Can't belueve I found some of these traps at Fred Meyer!
 A couple dollars more than 25 but within reason.
Have to build up some points with the wife to get 3 at a time. Maybe one at a time will keep me out of trouble with the warden.
 Pisco, do you just tye off a carcass to the trap or do you use a bait "can"?

If carcasses are cheap and easy to find, just tying or wiring them off works. Using a small bait cage makes a valuable bait last longer, especially when there are lots of little ones chowing down.

Pisco,
 I picked up three of the Danielson traps but had to pay $34.00 for them.
 Where do you tie off to the traps? On two corners, four corners ? I want the trap to set down correctly and thought four was best.
 Whats your tip here man? You've been a Saint up to this point.
 Thanks 

I've just always tied (or used a clip) to an intersection of the wires near the center of the top of the trap. I've seen people tie a bridle arrangement to all 4 top corners, but that always seemed like extra work with no advantage. Whether a clip or direct tied, I use a bowline knot. If I'm using braided or twisted poly (the cheapest and worst) rope, I throw an extra square knot on, after the bowline. The poly is really slick, and knots tend to back out of it. Splicing hollow core poly is more dependable than knots- and some 100' packs come with a fid and instructions.

Good luck, Boxofrain. Recently, I've only been getting red rock crabs, in water less than 100'. Only had a couple short trips to the west side of the state, though, so didn't have much chance to get dialed in.

I'm not racist, I'll eat red crabs as well!
 Thanks Pisco, After my post I went out and fiddlied with some rope for a bridle, I also ended up with same conclusion and attached a beener to my rope and snap it on to center of trap. I am a little worried about pulling up all that weight on those wires. No proplem Eh? Can't wait to put some stinky carcass in 'em and throw 'em out!

Hah!  I've always tied to the 4 corners.

-Allen

Hey Box you know that Scotty paddle sports carrys crab and prawn trap pullers that fits into you scotty rod holder base's. It looks basicly like a little boom with a pulley on it to pull traps with. I don't know what they cost, i would say under $25 but who knows.

I saw some on the NCKA site a while back. I'm a no bling kinda guy, my rod holder is a PVC pipe stuck in the scupper of my p13. The only time I use that is to rig up, I'm a hands on crabber. Never tried an outrigger. I want to put a depth finder on my boat but don't want to put anything on my boat. (figure that one out!)
 My brother told me about a unit you throw over the side and hang in the water, has anyone seen or used this type and was it worth a poop? All I recall is "buddy" was in the name.
 
 Pole, Is the rope bridle a pain, I don't like lifting from the thin wire but the hook-up is soooo easy with a beener in the middle! Maybe a pic? (I love pics) 

The rope bridle just needs to be tied once and left attached to the pot.  You can beener to the top of the bridle.  I'd take a picture, but the pots are at my folks right now.  I just took 2 lengths of rope and doubled them over together at the middle, tying an overhand knot there.  This left 4 ends that tie in to the 4 corners and 2 small loops on the other side of the overhand knot.  Beener in to these loops.

-Allen

Hey Box,

I don't know how many of those traps you got yet, but i just picked up two at Bi-mart for $19.97 each. Thats the danielson folding trap, square type. I was going to pick up some at a place here called Hooked on toys, a sporting goods, and toy store for all the kids in the family. They had them for $24 and I thought that was a good deal and that I would pick some up before moving over to Port Angeles. Stopped by Bi-mart just on a whim and there they were, stuffed behind the bait refer... Good price I thought.
I know that Bi-mart is based in Oregon there might be one in your neck of the woods. Its a club store and cost $5 to join. Thats just a one time deal. They tend to have a good selection on stuff for fishing and hunting. any ways. can't wait to give them a try.
Matt