stowing crab pots on board?

I was kinda curious how folks here stow crab pots/rings for the trip out to the crab grounds?  Anyone fabricate a rack system?  Or do you simply set and lash over the well?  I guess I am trying to dream up a simple racking system that wouldn't require a game of twister in order to retrieve/bait/set......etc.  Would love to see some pic's if you have them.

-SR

Fisherman's has folding crab rings on sale for $28 from time to time. Well, more like twisting crab rings, but you get the idea.

here's an article on NCKA about crabbing.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=18

I just set my folding traps on the back of my tank well and bungee them in place..

I have some of the collapsible rings that Fisherman's sells, some of the barn-shaped smaller folding Danielson traps, and some of the big square traps.  I carry them all in the tank wells of my OK Big Game and P-13 (I've modified my bungees so that I have more flexibility to carry bigger objects).

The coil away rings work very well if you are going to stay in an area and check them frequently (like every 15 minutes).  They fold/coil up into something about the size of a pie plate (mmm, pie) so stowing them is easy in the tank well.

The smaller barn shaped Danielson's only have two doors (as opposed to 4 in the big ones) and work pretty well.  Fewer doors means crab have a harder time getting inside.  I have used these either by setting them up on the beach then paddling them out to a likely spot and setting them (easy, works well) and by setting them up while in the kayak (takes some contortions, but not too bad).

The big square ones are a pretty awkward size when folded, and even more so when unfolded.  I've set these up while out in my OK Big Game, and it isn't too bad, but I would not want to do them in a narrow boat like a Hobie Adventure or Tarpon 16.  If you set them up on shore and run them out to a spot, then they should work fine.  Note that if you also have a power boat (I do), these are the most versatile option.

This is a post I did last year, couple of pic's of the traps I use

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,1383.0.html

I use the Danielsonm folding traps and just put some PVC in the tank well scuppers and align the traps on those. I then need only one line to lash them to the deck. I like to buddy up while fishing/crabbing, so it is very easy for two folks to set up ,bait and drop the traps.

Learn from the masta' ChuckE. I think this pic should just about answer all your questions.

http://madmariner.com/blogs/navagear/23356

http://madmariner.com/blogs/navagear/23356

I did see those traps at the boat show and had a chat with that guy. The problem I see with using those traps kayak fishing is they're on small side. I can imagine them filling up really fast with only a few crabs and since regs in Wa only let us drop two traps your chances of keepers is a lot lower. Even with places where you can drop more you'd need to drop a lot of traps and that means you need to bring more gear.

There were some very slick collapsible I did like at the show but they were plenty spendy. I'll see if I can find some pics.

Z

This is the one. absolutely perfect for kayak fishing.. but $150
www.flexfoldtraps.com

I've set these up while out in my OK Big Game, and it isn't too bad, but I would not want to do them in a narrow boat like a Hobie Adventure or Tarpon 16. 

I use the ChuckE stylee PVC in the tankwell of my Adventure and its no big grief at all.
That folding trap is slicker snot, but not at $150!

Thanks for all the input.  I've ventured onto the Norcal kayak fishing website a time or two and saw the crab fishing article.  I wish the photos were a bit more clear.  Do you just stick the pvc directly into your scupper holes?  Will it stay?  is there another way to rig it?

Thanks again,

SR

The pvc crab pot frame is shaped kind of like an "H" using a couple T-connectors.  The lower legs fit in the scupper holes, the cross bar prevents the pvc from falling lower, and the upper arms help hold the crab pots in place.

Makes sense, thanks!!