Crab pots...

[Malibu_Two]

Anybody have an extra crab pot they're looking to sell? If not, any idea where I can get one for cheap/not-too-expensive?

[ChuckE]

I use Promar TR-102 folding traps.
http://www.americanmaple.com/relaunchpromar/FishCrab.html

They're cheaper (less than $20) and more portable than Danielson box traps, but they're very hard to find.  The trap does have some drawbacks....

1) They have to be modified by adding two 4-1/4" escape rings and some cotton string to the latch to meet CA DFG regs.

2) They're light, so they may walk in heavy current or swell if they're not weighted down.

3) It's harder to get the crabs out of the trap.  They often get tangled in the netting.

4) They're not as durable as the box traps.

But.... if you really want them I would call the distributor directly at 1-866-264-1562 and see if they will directly sell and ship to you.  That's what I did.  I told them that I called all of their retailers in my area and none of them carry the TR-102 model.  http://www.americanmaple.com/relaunchpromar/dealers_ca.html

[scwafish]

No extras, but I have some of these  folding units http://www.seamar.com/sport_traps.html and I like them a lot.  I did weight the gates though, they were a little lame stock.  They're medium priced at $50, but the frames are 100% stainless so they will last a long time.

[Travis]

No extras, but I have some of these  folding units http://www.seamar.com/sport_traps.html[img] and I like them a lot.  I did weight the gates though, they were a little lame stock.  They're medium priced at $50, but the frames are 100% stainless so they will last a long time.[/img]

 
Sean-I just ordered two of these traps.  How do you recommend to weight the gates?  Did you add any other weight to the traps?
Travis

[scwafish]

I slid sliding sinkers onto the gates, and then tweaked the wire so they couldn't slide back off.  I didn't add an additional weight to the trap.  Practice unfolding them a few times, it is a tad tricky at first, but I have had great luck with these off a yak and a pb.

[Bill]

I have 2 danielson square traps for sale if you are still looking for some traps.

[ChuckE]

Bill, I have a friend that will likely by them from you.  I'm calling him now.

[scwafish]

I just Pm'd Bill too.

[ChuckE]

I just Pm'd Bill too.

Hey Sean....no problem.  I'd rather you have the first crack at Bill's crab pots. 

[Travis]

Sean-  I have my Seamar traps and I am rigging them up.  What do you use for bait cages in the traps?

[scwafish]

I put in either a small rockfish carcass on a clip or a salmon head on a clip.  I just scored about 60#s of free salmon heads so I'll be running those for a while. 

[ChuckE]

I just scored about 60#s of free salmon heads so I'll be running those for a while.

Sean, how did you do that?  Dumpster diving?
Sounds like the man freezer is getting full.

[scwafish]

A buddy of mine runs the salmon lab for DFG.  The need the heads to retrieve code wire tags.  They cut off the snout from each head and start digging.  They freeze the rest and give them to cheap bastards like me!

[Travis]

I put in either a small rockfish carcass on a clip or a salmon head on a clip.  I just scored about 60#s of free salmon heads so I'll be running those for a while. 

  Sorry for my stupidity but what kind of clips so you use and where do you get them?  This is new to me.

[scwafish]

Bait clips are sorta like a big fat safety pin.  I'll see if i can find ya a pic.  I generally pin my off to the side so the bait doesn't shift and end up holding the gates open.