Stow-B-Low Crab pod.... Anyone have one?

Was looking at different folding crab pots that will work via kayak, yet not take up alot of deck space when closed up. 

This one looks like a doable option and is Washington based company.  Always like to support the area. I like how it has nice big foot print yet low profile in ratio. 

http://www.stow-b-low.net/

For $99 you could get 5 or more 24x24x13 Danielson collapsibles from Bimart.  You are lucky enough to have a Bimart in Forest Grove.  I can easily carry 2 collapsed Danielsons on my live well of the T13.  I made a PVC 'H' just wide enough to slip into the scuppers, then drop the collapsed traps over the uprights of the 'H'.  Also I use bait pouches (stiff plastic mesh) which lay flat inside the collapsed trap.

I started with mesh crab traps, a couple of Promar TR-101, and used them once.  It was obvious they were not going to hold up.  It looks like the PVC of the Stow-B is much more substantial than the wire on the TR-101.  Does OR require a "rot release" and smallie escape on crab traps?

For $99 you could get 5 or more 24x24x13 Danielson collapsibles from Bimart.  You are lucky enough to have a Bimart in Forest Grove.  I can easily carry 2 collapsed Danielsons on my live well of the T13.  I made a PVC 'H' just wide enough to slip into the scuppers, then drop the collapsed traps over the uprights of the 'H'.  Also I use bait pouches (stiff plastic mesh) which lay flat inside the collapsed trap.

I started with mesh crab traps, a couple of Promar TR-101, and used them once.  It was obvious they were not going to hold up.  It looks like the PVC of the Stow-B is much more substantial than the wire on the TR-101.  Does OR require a "rot release" and smallie escape on crab traps?

I realize I could go with several of the much cheaper Danielson collapsibles, but I am the only one in the family that really eats crab.  1 or 2 keepers and I'm good.  So, one of these units will do.  The way this Crab Pod collapses, I could lash it behind my seat easy enough.   I already have three normal crab rings, two 360º crab pots, and one normal crab pot.  I e-mailed the company to see if they had any pictures or video of it in action, and actually catching crab.  We'll see how this goes.

I too have those plastic mesh bags for bait, they are good for a few years, but the crab eventually tear them apart.  They're cheap enough to replace.   

Yes, Oregon requires rot release, and this unit has provisions for it.   

I'm just curious if anyone has tried one, seen one in person or has any personal feed back on the quality and function of this unique crab trap.

I think they look cool.  Wish they weren't so expensive.

This looks good. Would wonder about seal entry by chewing threw the netting. Also you may want to consider having extra weight to add when deploying, depending on tide currents and where you are placing it.  Recently lost one crab pot to currents because I did not weight it, did have lots of extra line out.  Had to leave a crab ring over night (long story not needing repeating) - used a plastic bait tube about 6 inches long made out of plastic with very samll holes, it was capped on each end.  Due to leaving the ring  over night it moved at least 1/4 mile from where it put it in and the plastic tube had two large holes in it likely caused by the upper and lower teeth of a seal rendering it unuseable.
Hope this is helpful information to consider. Since I am in the  need of a new crab pot, I may well purchase one of these after researching, if so I would not leave it in for very many hours at a time, call it the seal complex
holt

They have a tutorial on their website for tying on 5 cannonball weights the center.  I thought maybe since the tubes are open at the ends, that I could seal the lower tubes at one end and add some "shot" to them maybe half way, and then poke a glob of marine goop down to seal them in there.  Not sure how much weight this would add, but it would be a clean way to take care of it.

As for seals, just don't use marine based bait.  Chicken, turkey, bacon, mink, etc.... will all keep the furry creatures working someone else's pots.   

that is a pretty penny.  I had no problem hauling around fully assembled danielson traps this weekend: one on the bow and could stack 2 high on the well.  Pots, rope and buoy were probably cheaper than a single stow-b-low.

However, not everyone has that space.

Didn't have any seal problems, though I know they were there (saw them all the time). Most trouble I had was finding males, and pulling up a pot with a 28" Sunflower Sea Star on top!

Where'd you go crabbing?  Did you do a surf launch with all those pots stacked like that? 

Oh, how'd ya do on the crab?

Again, it is not a matter of cost.  I am fully aware that I could spend the $100 on something alot cheaper.
It's different and interesting.   

Outside of cost and storage it looks a little small to me. I like my traps to be able to hold about 20-30 crabs. I've had plenty of days where the pot had 15 or so crabs but only a few keepers. All about odds.

There's a few companies out there that make collapsable pots that have the same drawback IMO. Here's another: www.jollygoodtrap.com

Z

Good point, Craig. I was in the Sound and wouldn't even think about launching through the surf with the pots on deck like that.

I'm trying to find a crab trap to drop from the sea kayak. this may be it. some buddies and I are working on developing a line of kayak specific crab traps and hand lines.

I literally had an idea for a conical shaped trap the same day I saw this post. It would be easier to clear the gunwale while in a sea kayak with a pyramid or conical shaped trap.
I like the collapsable option for stowing in a hatch of a SIK. Regular crab traps are a duzy on a 21" wide sea kayak.

It kills me to see people spend $30 on a $2 handline and $150 on a $15 crab trap. Might start making eye-glass retainers too.....$6 for a 20 cent retainer.

I'll sell them all for half that much and make them twice as good!

Outside of cost and storage it looks a little small to me. I like my traps to be able to hold about 20-30 crabs. I've had plenty of days where the pot had 15 or so crabs but only a few keepers. All about odds.

There's a few companies out there that make collapsable pots that have the same drawback IMO. Here's another: www.jollygoodtrap.com

Z

Opened up, it's base is 36" by 36".  The square pot is 24" by 24".   I suck at math (geometry) but I'd venture to guess that the volume difference between the two traps is small enough that it wouldn't really matter either way.   

The jollygoodtrap looks cool, too.

I can sure see where an internal stowable trap would be a great idea for surf launches, but thanks for the good idea demonick.  Beats the heck out of trying to unhook bungee from the front of my prowler 

Gary

Good point, Craig. I was in the Sound and wouldn't even think about launching through the surf with the pots on deck like that.

If you lash them well, a surf launch and landing with collapsed 24" danielson's isn't too hard.  Flipping your yak back over should you huli can be a trick though.  As per usual, don't ask me how I know..... 

I've been taking mine out thru the surf regularly this year.  I lash down the collapsed trap across the sonar shield and rod pod.  When I get to my drop point, I assemble the trap, lash a rockfish carc to a heavy wire in the center of the bottom (no mesh bag), twist some 24oz cannonball sinkers into two corners and deploy.
I really like the fact that the doors are low and allow the crab to walk right in.  They'll even bully their ways into full traps.  I've had one pull this year where the crab were stacked 3 high across the entire trap.

That sto-b-low setup is pretty sharp, albeit spendy.  I might have to put one or two of those on my holiday list this year.  Good to see more good stuff coming out of the Northwest.  I never realized how many products I like actually come from this region.