Basic Crabbing Questions

I need some advice on basic crabbing technique(s).  I am looking at getting out with my new crab traps and bringing a few of the buggers home.  Never have crabbed from a kayak, but I be in my Outback.  The questions I have are:  1) Where is a decent place for a newbie to go on their first few outings?  2)  What do you do with the extra rope if the area you are crabbing is shallow? (do you just toss it all in the water with the line weight attached? concerned about it being a hazard to other boaters)  3) Is it necessary to add weight to the trap to get it to stay in place?  and 4) What about throwing in some clamming/trolling while the traps are soaking?   Thanks for the help!!

You only need the extra weight in the traps if there's a lot of movemenet of the water that could cause them to "walk".  Most times, where I crab up here in the Sound at least, weight is not necessary.

Just toss out all the line and make sure it's properly weighted. 

Lots of guys will fish while their pots soak.

One other thing.  Don't forget to lean back as a counter-balance when pulling the pot clear of the water.  I almost dumped myself the first time as I wasn't thinking about that.

I'd also suggest leaving all the line in the water when pulling up a trap.  If the trap slips loose, and the line is in/on your boat or you, it could make bad things happen quickly.

And make sure you have enough rope  trust me

1) Hammond, Necanicum, Nehalem Bay, Tillamook Bay, Netarts Bay, Salmon River Mouth, Siletz Bay  (In all these areas you need to be keenly aware of the tides.  Work the incomming tide and be gone before the outgoing)
2) Use lead core line.  It's fairly cheap and sinks out of the way.  If it's really shallow, I leave the excess coiled and tied off with a half hitch or short lengths of nylon rope.  Make sure you let out enough to deal with the increasing tide!
3) Yes
4) You'd be a fool not to.

You might also consider using one of the smaller crab traps like a crabhawk.  Do search for Insayn's awesome write up on using one at Newport Bay. 

-Spot-

Don't forget to use Insayn's awesome PETA approved crab cleaning method.  It has changed my life.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7107.msg74128#msg74128

Don't forget to use Insayn's awesome PETA approved crab cleaning method.  It has changed my life.

+1 I teach it to the soldiers and vets at the HOW Crabbing events in case they don't eat the doodoo like me.

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Dont forget some crab and shrimp fuel!
Soak some old herring chopped/minced and dried dog food overnight if possible. Hang the mix in a bait cup.

I did this up in the San Juan's yak-crabbing and every 3 hours I pulled up a full pot with 30+ crab in it and at least 3 keepers every time. Filled me and my boys tag up with 28 dungies for 4 days of work.

+1  on about everything said above.  I addition...

1) I like to coil extra lead core line and then zip tie it.  That way I don't have to pull 100' of line in 20' of water.
2) When pulling I throw all the line over the other side of the kayak so that it is out of the way when there is limited room to work with rings or pots.
3) I use rings and pull them up on top of the kayak and sit them on my lap to go through the crabs.  I like to put a towel over my waders so that raw chicken parts stay off of me and the yak.
4) I do the same to clean crabs before cooking.  Wear gloves as the points on the shell will cut up the back of your hands.

Thanks for the good information!!  Just have to repeat what others have said, It is wonderful that so many folks are willing to share their experience and knowledge.  Hope to see you on the water!!!

If you need to weight your traps, you can tie-wrap a couple lengths of rebar to the bottom of the traps. 

If you need to weight your traps, you can tie-wrap a couple lengths of rebar to the bottom of the traps. 

this is what I do when it is a little "swelly"out there. Very cheap and most places that sell it (20' lengths) have a cutter for you to use as well.

I knew I was keeping those chunks of re-bar for a good reason.  Thanks for the tip!!!   Hoping to get out if/when the weather settles down.  Will post pictures when I do!!

And in case you're curious about how much rebar weights (I was so I looked it up) ...

Rod Number   Rod Size(in)   Rod Weight(lb per linear foot)
2         0.250 = 1/4   0.167
3         0.375 = 3/8   0.376
4         0.500 = 1/2   0.668
5         0.625 = 5/8   1.043
6         0.750 = 3/4   1.502
7         0.875 = 7/8   2.044
8         1.000      2.670
9         1.128      3.400
10         1.270      4.303
11         1.410      5.313
14         1.693      7.650
18         2.257      13.600

-Allen

Zee's video on crabbing from a kayak is excellent:

http://vimeo.com/9336671#

I like to throw a leg over each side when hauling up a trap.  On my outback, there's a Ram ball mount screwed into the kayak just in front of the forward rob holders.  I run the trap line around that when hauling it up.  Makes it SO much easier. 

In regards to killing the crab, I use the quick kill method.  This video isn't great but it shows it at :40



You run an implement (like a screwdriver) thru where the top of the breastplate meets the lower shell.  I think it's their heart or their brain or something.  Kills them instantly.  They may twitch a little after but it's just the nervous system.  It's then easier and safer to grab them in the way Craig shows in the video above to pop their carapice off.