NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => General Fishing Tips => Topic started by: hiltxan on June 16, 2009, 11:53:27 PM
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Hey all, I'm planning on going crabbing for the first time off a kayak and was wondering if there were any pointers. The area will be in Albion, near the RV campground by the river. I'm mainly going for dungeness crabs.
I had some questions after reading some articles and messages on the forums.
1. I'm going to use crab pots because the crab nets seem too flimsy for the ocean. Will the crab pots themselves be heavy enough or will I need to add weight to keep them down?
2. What is the best type of bait? Chicken? or fish bait like squid, anchovies etc.
3. How far out from the shore do you usually drop the pots? I think the last time I went there were people who dropped them off about half a mile from the shore. Also, is there a certain depth / structure to look for?
4. Anybody have any experience crabbing near Albion before?
Thanks in advanced for your help!
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With pots hang your bait from the top so that its as close to the bottom as possible, another words usea big fish carcess. Throw those plastic bait holders away.
Dugies are al the way up the river in albion from where you launch to a mile out.
Crab in 15 to 20 feet of water with nets and pull them up every 5 minutes or so as the crabs come into the bait and take a piece and then leave. dugies are highly agressive and will fight with the other crabs driving them off the baits so the crabs take a chunk and run.
Try something different, dive for them and pick them up with your hands..its a blast!
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Dugies are all the way up the river in albion from where you launch to a mile out.
Crab in 15 to 20 feet of water
Damn, only if I would of known...was there 2 weeks ago and saw all the pots.....damn...thx for the tip... :smt003
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i take bags of squid, sardines or fish scraps and mash them up into goo then i freeze them in small blocks, stuff a few in your bait keeper and they slowly melt giving off a nice scent trail, not to mention if its legal season for fishing from a boat in your area its not a bad idea to drop a line while you soak your pots. that chum down there will attract more than just crabs. And i prefer to use crab rings u can stack more on your boat,just remember with a crab ring to alwayas use a bait keeper or they will just dine an dash. and never be tempted to keep any undersized crab,even if there only a little under dfg is very unforgiving.
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John Lyons has a very good tutorial here: http://www.coastsidefishingclub.com/crabbing (http://www.coastsidefishingclub.com/crabbing)
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Here's an old article from our site...
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=18
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Here's an old article from our site...
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=18
Best Article ever! When is the crab season on San Mateo Coast I know its somewhere in November, also how many crab you can keep? Thanks
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Here's an old article from our site...
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=18
Best Article ever! When is the crab season on San Mateo Coast I know its somewhere in November, also how many crab you can keep? Thanks
Nov 6th up here Darius...man we got hit albion jan...were u there when that guy was talking bout how in jan...a fresh group comes up the river...I think u were...and that was a great read ChuckE... also Richs thread was awesome...thx...guys...I'm so ready for some dungies...even some rocks... :smt003
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Ha, it's been awhile since my last crabbing expedition off of Albion with a kayak. I ended up with 1 keeper dungie for two traps during my two days there in June. (pretty pathetic) Most of the time when I pulled it up it was seaweed and molted crab shells along with tiny rock crabs. It probably wasn't the best time to crab, since it was the end of the season anyways and the swells were high - my pots moved a lot even with weights.
Now, with crabbing season just opening up, I've decided to try again. This time, it'll be around the Bay Area. I have all the equipment already from last time, just need some pointers on where to go. It seems like Linda Mar and HMB are the best bets from reading old posts, but then again, I see a lot of rants about people stealing pots in HMB. Is this still going on or is it a thing of the past?
Also, I was wondering if there are other places, especially near the south in Santa Cruz. I did a search, but not many reports came up from the Santa Cruz area. Is this place in general just not as productive as the northern areas?
I'm planning on going out Thanksgiving break and getting limits. Hope the swells are friendly and that the crabs are there.
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Ive been out crabing in Santa Cruz and havent seen a legal Dungie. many very small ones and legal but small rock crabs all over the reefs like new brighton beach. I hear Waddel is good and north........I crab in HMB but get tired of bumping into other peoples trap floats. Lindamar in Pacifica is killer it is just hard to get out sometimes.
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For whatever reason... I'll drive the extra little ways to HMB for crab. Eventhough, that place gets hammered pretty good the quality of crab seems to be way better. 40 to 50 feet of water is all you need. Check your traps and bomb the area that produces. You'll have to move around to find the crab. But when you do... it's on. The crabs at LM were good but not as clean and not as thick as the HMB crabs. My .02 when you head out. As far as crabbing south of LM... I've tried it once... ONCE!!! I'll never do that crap again.
Freddie
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Alright, it seems like I'll be heading out this Wednesday from 12-4 pm. Forecast is:
WED
NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT.
W SWELL 6 TO 8 FT.
so I'm guessing it will be doable. I got my traps setup and using squid, dropping them in about 40 feet of water. I'll probably leave them for a couple hours. I just threw a 5 lb. brick in there for weight, so will this be enough? Also, I'm afraid of people stealing the traps; are there still thieves out there?
Thanks
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Since I can't post on the reports yet...I guess I would just give a quick recap of today.
I left the harbor at 1 pm, pedaled for about 30 minutes to right outside the buoy to drop the first pot, about 35-40 feet deep. Then I went out probably another half mile and dropped the second trap around the same depth. For the next hour and a half, I just wandered around the bay and harbor, looking at different boats and things around HMB. For bait, I just loaded a trap full of frozen squid.
Picked up the first pot after a 1:30 soak and had one, pretty large rock crab. Didn't look that promising. Got to the second trap and lifted it to see 2 large red crabs, 1 large (7.5"+) and 1 medium (6") dungeness. Kept all of them and it made a nice dinner.
Only complaint was that it was a far way from the kayak launch and that maybe next time, I would just stay out there and fish. Anyways, I thought it was a successful trip and will probably be back for more, depending on the weather. Maybe I'll try Linda Mar next time.
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Hiltxan,
Thanks for the updated report.
I'll be hitting HMB tomorrow for my first crab fishing. If it's too rough outside, I'll just fish inside the breakwaters by the NW side and find some sandy areas to crab fish.
Hopefully, I can post a same report if not better.
40 to 50 feet of water is all you need. Check your traps and bomb the area that produces. You'll have to move around to find the crab. But when you do... it's on.
Freddie
If nothing else, I could just do a search mission to find out productive areas as pointed out by Freddie.
Danny
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I noticed there's been talk about going crabbing, so that must mean crabbing season is just around the corner. I've been crabbing many times at HMB on the jetties but never in a kayak. After reading the great article written by ChuckE about kayak crabbing 101 I'm very interested in giving it a try. So my question is...the article was written in 07, are you guys still using the same crab traps that are posted in the pics??? I have a t13...what kind of crab traps work best and what do you guys perfer???
Any bit of info on crabbing from a kayak would be helpful!!!
Thanks!
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So my question is...the article was written in 07, are you guys still using the same crab traps that are posted in the pics??? I have a t13...what kind of crab traps work best and what do you guys perfer???
I still use the same modifed Promar TR102 traps I've been using for years. The only difference is that Promar now sells the TR102W which already come legal with the required escape rings. I hear that the Outdoor Pro Shop is Oakland and Santa Rosa sells them for around $20 each which is an excellent price.
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I'm definatily gonna be doing some crabbing this season. But I've got a couple questions first. Ive got the Promar 102W's and they come with a Bait Holder net thing in them. Do most of you use a rigid bait box instead of the net that comes with it? And what kind of rope do you use? Is the Yellow nylon stuff good enough?
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I'm definatily gonna be doing some crabbing this season. But I've got a couple questions first. Ive got the Promar 102W's and they come with a Bait Holder net thing in them. Do most of you use a rigid bait box instead of the net that comes with it? And what kind of rope do you use? Is the Yellow nylon stuff good enough?
bags work fine. I try and have all my bait in bags or boxes so the re bait is a simple swap out. as for line. I used the yellow stuff but it was a pain. chuck asked me to pull a couple of his pots and he used the smaller para cord type line and it was so much nicer. I swapped all mine over this summer to his set up. I also have 50 foot on each trap and have some 25 foot sections that i can add if I am in deeper water. all my sets in HMB were in 40 - 60 feet. so I went that route this year.
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I use paracord for my anchor, why not try it for crab pots?? Yeah, now that you mention it, I didn't like having the 1/4 yellow all over the place when hauling up pots. Was kinda discouraging really, got sea sick first couple times out messing with the lines. Sounds like I should try some 550 paracod? I remember seeing lots of bulk buy of it on Ebay if anyone wants to group buy or something.
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Oh, and I've been hording takeout containters and other things like peanut containers to fill with bait and drill some holes all over them and join them to the trap with bailing wire. I just toss them in the trash when im done ;)
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Dang, I haven't crabbed since I was a kid in the 60's at Lawsons landing pier!
Got to try it this year from the yak.
I remember it kinda bugged me to pick them up :smt001
Nice idea with the throw away bait holders Al!
I got 1 ring bought at the Berkeley pier to bring up pier caught fish - you guys think it'll do to get some?
novofish
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Dang, I haven't crabbed since I was a kid in the 60's at Lawsons landing pier!
Got to try it this year from the yak.
I remember it kinda bugged me to pick them up :smt001
Nice idea with the throw away bait holders Al!
I got 1 ring bought at the Berkeley pier to bring up pier caught fish - you guys think it'll do to get some?
novofish
rings work just fine
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I dont have any fish carcasses and I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get out to HMB and get some Mackeral for Crab bait. So what do you guys suggest I buy to use for bait?
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I've tried different types of bait, squid, fish carcass etc. and I find that chicken drumsticks or quarter size chicken legs are the best. They're cheap and best of all, it takes a while for crabs to eat them because it's tough to rip apart.
Whenever I use squid and pull up the cages, I see the crabs eating viciously away my squid. Squid is just easy to rip apart and eat while its in the cages whereas chicken provides the same attraction but harder to get to for the crabs.
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i's say just about any damn thing you got in the freezer meat wise will do just fine. if I use non seafood I toss some squid in there. its like spinkles on ice cream
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Has anyone seen mink in the bait shops? I used on an Oregon trip in Sept. and caught a S!@# load of crab including an 8-1/2" Dungeness. I would like to try it down here if it is available and legal.
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I thought Mink was to keep the furbags away
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For my bait wraps I just use the square 1/2" galvi wire mesh from the hardware store. I cut a suitable size and then wrap the bait like a burrito, and then just ziptie it to the trap. Cheap quick and easy.
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When using rings in shallow water, 10 to 20 feet, I like the heavy mesh bags for my bait. They're easy to dump more bait into, especially big pieces like fish heads. For the hard plastic containers I like to use squid or sardines. They both fit well into these containers. I like to lay a string of 3 or more rings, and after the last one is dropped it is time to check the first one. Repeat.
It is hard to beat a fish carcass. Much harder to beat a salmon head. If I've got chicken I'll stay home and cook it.
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I am new to fishing and have lobster hoops that I want to utilize to go after dungeness crab when it opens. The geography of their expected early-season habitat interests me.
I've heard a unverified rumor that in Santa Cruz County, you need to be several miles offshore.
Any input or offer of hookups welcome.
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yep...drive to HMB and got for 'em there. WAY better crabbin up north. I wouldn't bother setting gear in SC
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Thanks Eric, will do.
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Outdoor proshop in Rohnert Park just got all there crabbing gear in. Traps as low as $20 and a kit that has rope, buoy with flag for $15. I was going to pull the trigger but already had $50 worth or stuff in my hand.
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I only know of 1 yakker who can get dungies in SC area on a consistent basis. So, they're out there if ya spend the time looking & trying. But it ain't easy.
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Howard,
I used my crab ring a fair amount last year in the Capitola/Pleasure Point area and never got one dungie...
Got some nice fat rock crabs though in the kelp potholes, and it was pretty fun to drop the ring, fish for a while and then come back and pull it up and see what I got!
Good luck!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
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yep...drive to HMB and got for 'em there. WAY better crabbin up north. I wouldn't bother setting gear in SC
by "north" do you mean Bodega Bay? Where? Is it that much "WAY better"? just asking cause I don't know any better.
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No, just HMB. I suppose the the more north the better (less fishing pressure) others can chime in on bodega and places north. In SC you will get NO DUNGIES and maybe a few rock crab. In HMB you will be able to limit on dungies. May take you a few set's but you'll get 'em
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Up here in Bodega Bay it is looking good for the dungies. I dropped 2 rings about a week ago and was just doing circuits between them. Being out there for maybe 2hrs @ the most i threw back @ least 8 or 9 FAT dungies, one had to be about 9" across. I am going out @ midnight on the opener fully expecting to limit quickly.
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Much harder to beat a salmon head
I hear the furbags love salmon and tend to tear up crab traps. Any truth to this?
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I once had a juicy salmon head in a pot, in 15' of water. It was attracting lots of crabs. Damn harbor seal eventually stuck it's head in the one-way gait and stole the whole head. I saw the birds afterwards and it didn't immediately register. It must have been the Houdini of seals.
Lesson learned? Yeah, don't turn your back on pots with salmon in them. Crabs love them, but so do the seals!
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I was planing on going crabbing at Doran beach for the opener. It will be my first time crabbing period. I plan on launching from the beach near the jetty. I know I will figure out what not to do, but tips from people who have been there will be greatly appreciated.
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only tip i can give for doran would be get away from the jetty, or you will have alot of rock crab, but other than that just watch out for boat traffic and drop just about anywhere, ill be there monday, gotta work all weekend, good luck, cameron
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In addition to the crab setup, I bought a prawn trap at OPS. I hear I can just stack the prawn trap on top of the promar (with zipties?) and it'll work fine. Can anyone provide some advice on this?
Hamachijohn
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Sounds like it should work John - as long as you can pull it up w/out interference? How deep do you plan on dropping it? I recall that they tend to be >150ft.
As for tips for first time - make sure that your trap doesn't walk and keep track of where you placed them if you don't mark it w/GPS. No, I didn't lose my promars on my first trip. :smt005
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YIKES !! 150ft to 200ft depth to catch shrimp?? I think I'll return the shrimp trap, as I'm only expecting to be in 50-75 feet of water while crabbing.... unless someone else also plans on doing some shrimping.
Sounds like it should work John - as long as you can pull it up w/out interference? How deep do you plan on dropping it? I recall that they tend to be >150ft.
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BTW - great idea piggy-backing the shrimp trap. I sent you a PM of what I found from coastside.
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here's my #1 crabbing tip that i learned from last year. listen up, this will be the best tip you have ever heard.
before throwing the trap in the water...
make sure your harness is attached to it first
guarantee it will increase your catch rate by 1 million percent!
also, don't use chickens, seals love that sh*t
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Also, weigh down your extra rope so that it doesn't get in the way of others.
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I found crabbing this summer in OR excellent using the Promar TR102W. Thank you guys for the excellent suggestion! I also purcahsed the harnessess and rope. It was actually just as inexpensive as any other rope (and easy on the hand) The challenge was I do not head down to the bay area too often so I had a local sporting goods order them for me. He charged a bit more than the $20.00, but the money I saved in gas (and time) was well worth it (plus it keeps the local economy going). The first time my son and I went out we took out 4 of the traps. we had such a blast and caught alot of crabs. I purchased 5 more, so each of us could use three and if we ever bring someone we are good to go. These traps fit great on the pack of the Hobie Quest kayaks using pvc pipe with a straight joint to stop the pipes from dropping through the scup holes. My son actually had all six on the back of his kayak and I carried the crab buckets and fishing tackle. One day we each caught a limit and had no place to put all 24. The buckets were filled up and I had to use some plastic bags to wrap up the others and place down by my feet while avoiding their claws. Deadiest Catch for the toes. We talked about using the hull as storage next time. I would go back to OR anytime. Although the license is $11 each for three days. It is only 2 more hours for us to get there than the bay and it seemed like they were more plentiful than CA and the limit is higher. If anyone ever wants to go up that way and wants to figure out how to get a couple days of mass amounts of crab give me a pm. We used the remains of fish (crappie and bass) that I catch locally for bait. I purchased some great fish net crab bait bags on line. I think about 24. Then as I clean fish I put the remains in the bags as I clean and then freeze. We threw all the bags in icechests and then used zipcords to secure inside traps. Before we head out I rig it all: bait, lines and floats, so when we are ready to drop , we drop. We found out it is not fun fighting the current and winds rigging out of the water and is much easier to do so on land. We made a great team! Thanks for all everything! :smt006
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Thanks for the tips. Especially the one about making sure your harness is hooked to your pot. I could definitely see myself doing that, but with my luck, my paddle would somehow be attached to the pot.
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Anyone know whether or not its worth soaking hoops around the Monterey Peninsula for Dungees? Heading down for the rock season ender next weekend and thought what the hell.
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From what I know, many people catch Monterey dungies in deeper waters (over 150'). It would be a mission just to get out there. And to pull those traps up that deep, thas a workout!!
Wishing you great success on your RF outing. I'm hoping to get one last RF trip before season closes as well.
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Thanks! Whew, maybe empty at 150' but with crabs, tha'd be a haul. I'll try an experiemntal soak at a few diff depths probably only up to about 100' due to line length limits.
Winds look they are up for the rest of the week, hope that changes
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More like 200-250ft right now....if you want dungies. But also be careful not to drop traps in a SMCA, SMR, etc. So no traps if you're fishing Pebble/Carmel and no traps off Cannery Row or Lovers Pt unless you paddle way out to deep water. But ya never know til ya try it!
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More like 200-250ft right now....if you want dungies. But also be careful not to drop traps in a SMCA, SMR, etc. So no traps if you're fishing Pebble/Carmel and no traps off Cannery Row or Lovers Pt unless you paddle way out to deep water. But ya never know til ya try it!
Lemme kno if anyone does try this! Handlining 200'-250' is crazy lol :D
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Haha it's enough rope to fill your hull for 2 pots! I know a guy who has already pulled 4 limits from Monterey. But like I said, he's in a boat dropping to 200ft. If you do it from a yak, you'd be hella buff after like 3 trips lol!
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So...my wife really liked the crabs that I brought home the other day and wants to get some for Thanksgiving weekend when both our families are gonna be here.
I'm not gonna have time to go out and set/pull any traps so was wondering if any locals know of where to buy live dungies in Santa Cruz/Monterey County that we can bring home and cook up??
Any tips/leads/suggestions welcome!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
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patience young grasshoper! You wont be able tp buy them live until after this weekend. Your best bet and your gonna pay A left nut is on the wharf #2 by MBK... Gonna try and get some on Sunday myself. I like crab better than ab.
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You can buy them in Moss Landing harbor if you find the right boat. I imagine the same deal in SC harbor. But you can always get them @ Sea Harvest next to the Moss Landing launch ramp! If you've never been there...you gotta check it out Jim, lots of yummy sea creatures there!
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You can buy them in Moss Landing harbor if you find the right boat. I imagine the same deal in SC harbor. But you can always get them @ Sea Harvest next to the Moss Landing launch ramp! If you've never been there...you gotta check it out Jim, lots of yummy sea creatures there!
Thanks fellas!!
Yeah, I am sure they are expensive and ideally I would have time to go out and get them myself, but looking at my schedule around Thanksgiving I just don't see it happening!!
Will see if I can get the inlaws to pay for them!!!!!!!
:smt002 :smt003 :smt005 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044
Will check out the Sea Harvest for sure!! ESPECIALLY since I now live in Watsonville instead of Capitola, so Moss Landing is practically my new back yard!!
:smt003 :smt004
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
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Your just gonna have to tell her that you need to get saltyl!! lol
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Jim, when commercial opens just go to the docks at the SC harbor. Buy em for a excellent price right off the boat. I forget but maybe its "S" dock? Youll see signs. There more costly if you buy them from the store at the launch ramps, so buy direct, right off the boat.
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Your just gonna have to tell her that you need to get saltyl!! lol
Thats what I was thinking...."sorry wife, you can't buy them. only way to get em is by catching them myself....just like abalone."
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HMB harbor. Right from the boat. Almost makes going out for them seem stupid
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Thats what I was thinking...."sorry wife, you can't buy them. only way to get em is by catching them myself....just like abalone."
Jim never lie it will hurt your WAF account in the long run just take her to Whole Foods where they will be really expensive then say" Let's see 10 crabs will be $160 too bad I can't get out where they are free" "How much were those shoes you wanted ?" :smt003
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Pat reminded me of the boat Beticia in the Moss Landing Harbor. It docks by the KOA it's a big red boat.
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"S" dock and one other boat on the other side f the Harbor, I'll get the name and post for you.
Allen
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Just that, curious what other guys like to use. I use a bait jar in my ring so i like either squid or chopped fish.
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Fish heads, squids, chicken, whichever on sale with for lowest cost :smt003
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Thanks for the tips. Especially the one about making sure your harness is hooked to your pot. I could definitely see myself doing that, but with my luck, my paddle would somehow be attached to the pot.
Ouch! :smt044 :smt044
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Fish heads, squids, chicken, whichever on sale with for lowest cost :smt003
I got some chicken to run tomorrow. Will be the first time i used chicken
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my favorite is whatever fish remains are left over from catches if there's room in the freezer. FREE... "They" say oilier is better.
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Canned catfood + anything oily and smelly, such as sardines
* warning! I've gone crabbing only twice
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I used chicken parts last year along with smushing anything I had like old bait sardines and squid. This year I managed to have enough freezer space to save a few bags of fish carcass from my last trip so thats what im using.
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last year before season I stocked up on jacksmelt. Chopped up in the bait jar... And next thing ya know I'm eating dungie :smt003
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First, I drill a bunch of extra holes in my plastic bait jars. Then i chop up and stuff a bunch of frozen anchovies or sardines or fish carcasses in the jars. Then i cut 8 inch pieces of bailing wire and thread them between the bone and tendon of chicken legs giving an extra wrap around the leg before wiring it to the bait jar. The chopped fish provides scent while the chicken leg gives them something to chew. When crabs are actively chewing, the clicking sound attracts other crabs and keeps them from leaving when the surge blows the gates open.
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Oily fish...ie Macks. The best is Albacore bellies. When you use these you can actually see the oil bubbling up to the surface in 40fow after a 3 hr soak! Unfortunately i like smoked albie belly as much as crab, so its usually mack/squid combo. as KJ said a little "hang bait" really helps to hold em.
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I had been using whole sardines in a mesh"onion Bag"... I only soaked for 20 mins and my 4-5fish were gone.. (i notice they dont like the heads and leave that behind..) now I have switched to the JAR... i like the chicken strapped on idea to keep them busy...:-)
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First, I drill a bunch of extra holes in my plastic bait jars. Then i chop up and stuff a bunch of frozen anchovies or sardines or fish carcasses in the jars. Then i cut 8 inch pieces of bailing wire and thread them between the bone and tendon of chicken legs giving an extra wrap around the leg before wiring it to the bait jar. The chopped fish provides scent while the chicken leg gives them something to chew. When crabs are actively chewing, the clicking sound attracts other crabs and keeps them from leaving when the surge blows the gates open.
after seeing jacks success with this method, this will be my new method, cameron
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First, I drill a bunch of extra holes in my plastic bait jars. Then i chop up and stuff a bunch of frozen anchovies or sardines or fish carcasses in the jars. Then i cut 8 inch pieces of bailing wire and thread them between the bone and tendon of chicken legs giving an extra wrap around the leg before wiring it to the bait jar. The chopped fish provides scent while the chicken leg gives them something to chew. When crabs are actively chewing, the clicking sound attracts other crabs and keeps them from leaving when the surge blows the gates open.
yeah same here. tubs with squid and a bag or cage with fish and chicken. Last week I used catfish heads. My local ranch 99 had the for .59 per pound. All day crabbing and I used $2.85 in bait. I ended up getting 8 dungie keepers. I also attach the bait to the trap with some 6 inch sections of copper wire (stripped from electrical re wire I did) cheap and simple
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All those things work great, and I use them. I have a salmon head from that one I caught at the end of the season - salmon is one of the best baits for Dungeness.
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All those things work great, and I use them. I have a salmon head from that one I caught at the end of the season - salmon is one of the best baits for Dungeness.
oh sure rub in the salmon score!!!! Jerk! :smt044
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All those things work great, and I use them. I have a salmon head from that one I caught at the end of the season - salmon is one of the best baits for Dungeness.
oh sure rub in the salmon score!!!! Jerk! :smt044
Lol. Eric, you can use wsb carcass. I'll use RF carcass, as I haven't caught either wsb nor salmon. :(
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Has anyone tried seafood base?
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I can sell you some. :smt005
I started doing this last year and it sounds somewhat cruel, but funny at the same time. How about catching them and keeping them alive in 20-30 gallon tubs - silence of the lambs style? An aerator/filter with regular water changes will take care of it. I only kept them alive for a few days, but Rudy perfected the technique.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HALIBU77#p/u/36/1Ru1Oucj4hQ (http://www.youtube.com/user/HALIBU77#p/u/36/1Ru1Oucj4hQ)
Another idea is going out on charters - ~$40 for 6 crabs? Maybe some of the relatives will want to join you!
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All those things work great, and I use them. I have a salmon head from that one I caught at the end of the season - salmon is one of the best baits for Dungeness.
oh sure rub in the salmon score!!!! Jerk! :smt044
Lol. Eric, you can use wsb carcass. I'll use RF carcass, as I haven't caught either wsb nor salmon. :(
I almost ran out of freezer space for the meat....Let alone the carcass (hows that for rubbing it in) :smt044
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I can sell you some. :smt005
I started doing this last year and it sounds somewhat cruel, but funny at the same time. How about catching them and keeping them alive in 20-30 gallon tubs - silence of the lambs style? An aerator/filter with regular water changes will take care of it. I only kept them alive for a few days, but Rudy perfected the technique.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HALIBU77#p/u/36/1Ru1Oucj4hQ (http://www.youtube.com/user/HALIBU77#p/u/36/1Ru1Oucj4hQ)
Another idea is going out on charters - ~$40 for 6 crabs? Maybe some of the relatives will want to join you!
Cool vid. Never thought of storing them
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I hear poacher is good bait. I'm just sayin'...
:smt002
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Using WSB or salmon heads or carcasses as crab bait is like trading gold for equal weight of silver! The carcasses belong on the smoker/barbie and the heads in stock.
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Using WSB or salmon heads or carcasses as crab bait is like trading gold for equal weight of silver! The carcasses belong on the smoker/barbie and the heads in stock.
Agreed. I filleted one side of each fish and steaked the other. Hence, no meat lost. I did, however, dump the heads at the beach! The crabs should be thanking me.
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Little far but 24hrs
http://www.ktvu.com/video/25606007/index.html (http://www.ktvu.com/video/25606007/index.html)
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How strange is that..lol
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http://www.ktvu.com/news/25792592/detail.html (http://www.ktvu.com/news/25792592/detail.html)
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Interesting how they catch the test crabs. Never knew they did that
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I was walking by the dock when they did the interview....also saw the commies loading up trash bins full of frozen baited jars later in the afternoon.
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I'm thankful I got my yak an traps. They have such a strangle hold on crab, gotta use your life savings to buy it.
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Local Ranch 99 Supermarket, if there's one local to your area. Their buyer makes bulk purchases in Half Moon Bay during commercial crab season. They're the biggest reason I'm holding off catching my own. Ranch 99 prices are extremely reasonable specially when commercial season opens versus me taking precious family time off to catch my own. I know there's the fun factor of catching your own.
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I haven't crabbed enough to have a favorite bait, but I've been saving chicken carcasses and other meaty scraps and putting them into plastic containers and freezing them. I figure on punching holes in them and wiring em to the bottom of the cage.
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Using WSB or salmon heads or carcasses as crab bait is like trading gold for equal weight of silver! The carcasses belong on the smoker/barbie and the heads in stock.
Silver!?!?!?!?!?!?!!???!!!!
Surely you jest Sir. Dungees = Diamond Encrusted Platinum my friend. :smt002
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I use duck, pheasant, goose, or turkey carcass. I also save the guts and put them into a bait jar. Free bait, works good.
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I used some filipino shrimp paste called bagoong with my bait last sunday. stinkie stuff works great and cheap. got them at ranch 99
Rey
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Jim,
Sorry to hear you're not in Capitola anymore, but hopefully you'll still come down and do some fishing.
As far as crabs, sounds like HMB is a good spot but if they don't have any you can always try SC Harbor. I don't remember the dock letter (could be S as suggested) and the guy sells them right off his boat. Only problem is he is a hit and miss and not always there. The gift shop just to the right of the Crows Nest sells them. You'll pay retail (I think $5.99 pound last year), but she usually has them. You can call them and she might put a hold on them for you.
Don't wait, I hear it's one of the worst times to try and buy crab along with New Year.
Dean
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Frankly I'm a but surprised so many of us buy crab bait... especially during this recession.
Wait... Maybe I should buy crab to use for crab bait.
Seriously, though, dinner scraps/bones from a couple weeks is plenty enough to bait all four pots.
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Anyone else experiencing this? Most of the crabs I've caught are "skinny" where the meat is significantly smaller than the shell. How about you guys that go into deeper water (150' +)?
Nate
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I used a WSB carcass from Mooch and it was the best. The crab ate most of the carcass within an hour and a half. Them is some hungry crusties.
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There are a bunch of softies out there - even deep. If you're fortunate enough to be able to cull, pinch their thigh and throw it back if it gives even a little.
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I once found a couple sand dabs in my trap...I put them into the bait sack and down they went. Landed 3 legals in a couple hours. I can't imagine being eaten alive in those traps. oh the my karma keeps building... :smt009
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Anyone else experiencing this? Most of the crabs I've caught are "skinny" where the meat is significantly smaller than the shell. How about you guys that go into deeper water (150' +)?
Nate
Strings in 150 and 200, didn't check all the crabs but 2 out of my limit were soft. None of them were light though, legs, claws and bodies were all thick and sweet.
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I found this interesting article:retweetEmailPrintBy San Jose Mercury News san Jose Mercury News – Mon Nov 15, 1:34 pm ET
Julia Scott, julia.scott@bayareanewsgroup.com
PRINCETON-BY-THE-SEA -- The sun rose over Pillar Point Harbor this morning, the official start of Dungeness crab season, but no one went fishing.
Word that the crab just offshore were still "soft" tripped up the market and may lead to days or weeks of delay, said local fisherman Duncan Maclean.
"There's less meat, it's more chalky. There's no butter in them and the butter is what people are crazy about," he said.
The good news is that crab are plentiful this year and just need more time to mature.
Recreational fishermen, whose Dungeness fishing season started weeks ago, say the ocean floor is choked with adult male crab. Fishing boats have come from as far away as Alaska to take advantage of it.
But out-of-town fishermen, as well as those in Half Moon Bay, San Francisco and Bodega Bay, kept their boats tied up while they sent a small number of crab to be tested by a processor this morning.
Ideally, a crab has 25 percent of its body weight composed of meat. That's not happening so far, said Tom Mattusch, captain of the Huli Cat, a sport boat docked in Half Moon Bay.
"We cooked some up the other day. The legs were fine, but the body almost collapsed on itself," said Mattusch.
Fishermen are eager to satisfy the crab cravings of the Thanksgiving market. But they don't want to undercut their own price advantage with inferior crab. Nor do they want to disappoint crab lovers.
"We're doing our best to make sure the public gets the best quality of crab they can," said Maclean.
Dungeness crab take two to three years to grow into adulthood. They molt late in the spring and are generally mature by now. Fishermen theorize that some crab have had trouble maturing this year because they are so numerous and have to compete for a limited amount of food out in the ocean.
Crabbers will have the test results by noon today and could decide to go fishing by the afternoon, said Maclean. They are more likely to wait a few days until the Bay Area's choice crustaceans are good enough to eat.
Contact Julia Scott at 650-348-4340
Photo caption: File: Crab fishermen load crab traps onto their boat at Fisherman's Wharf November 15, 2007 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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And the price the poor suckers are gonna be paying for crab keeps on climbing......
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The crabs i caught at bodega were plenty meaty and delicious.
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The crabs i caught at bodega were plenty meaty and delicious.
+1
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The crabs i caught at bodega were plenty meaty and delicious.
+1
+ 2 I was there Sunday.
Kiel
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Clams work well. PP harbor has a lot. People are always digging for them there. I wouldn't eat them, but the crab don't mind.
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I did, however, dump the heads at the beach! The crabs should be thanking me.
Hope you got the ivory out before returning them to the system.
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Hey all, will be in the bay area Thur.-Sat.,just wanted to know a spot to try for crab using a surf rod/snare.
Is it worth my while ?.What is the best tide to try ?.Thanks for any info. in advance.11/18-11-20
P.S.-If I get lucky enough to catch a couple is there anyone out there that will cook them for me ?. :smt003
Thanks,Tim
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My number 1 choice would be the Pacifica Pier at sharp park. In Half Moon bay would be the jetty south side of the Harbor all the way down near the entrance. Be sure to have a gauge DFG may check.
And you can bring them by my house. I'll cook them for you :smt003
Rob
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My number 1 choice would be the Pacifica Pier at sharp park
ditto
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I tried my magic abalone guts in my bait jars. It didn't work out to well. I guess abalone are not on their menu. I was thinking, maybee abalone smell like an octopus to dungies :smt017
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Hey man ab guts work great :smt002
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Definitely worth it! Here's one that was caught tonight that measured just shy of 7".
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i3snbyvvCxE/TON2zwxAl9I/AAAAAAAAAP0/YPVJGQJCOEY/s640/IMG_20101116_223048.jpg)
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nudling, nice crab, where did you catch it ?.
:smt006
Tim ,
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Snared that one at Pacifica and it's hibernating in my fridge. There are prime spots on that pier, but I would stay away from them unless you enjoy combat fishing. Also, make sure to bring enough lead (2, 4, 6, 8oz) in case your snares starts moving - it's a hassle to tangle w/other lines.
HMB Jetty is another option that's less populated, but navigating on boulders takes a little getting use and I wouldn't recommend it at night unless you're really familiar with it. There are more rock crabs past marker ~47 btw.
One of the reasons why I bought a yak was to get easy dungie limits, but the strange thing is that I enjoy snaring more than pulling up traps.
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Do you guys ever have problems with crabs ripping eachother's legs off when you have high densities in a bag/bucket etc.? I've only crabbed a couple times and I remember having that problem with a bucket full of rock crabs. Any clever solutions? I'm planning on going after some rock crabs and figured I could bring rubber bands along, but that's kind of time consuming.
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I carry a pair of needle nose pliers...Pinch/break off small lower claw of main pincher...Not alot of meat loss..!!!!...Good luck out there..!!!
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I carry a pair of needle nose pliers...Pinch/break off small lower claw of main pincher...Not alot of meat loss..!!!!...Good luck out there..!!!
that's a good idea, I'll give that a try, thanks!
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Dungies don't seem to be as aggressive and if you don't handle them too much they are fairly well behaved in a bucket. Red rock crab are just agro from the get go. I have had dungies dismantled by one rock crab, so now I seperate or throw back the rocks.
Kent
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let's fire her up! Question where in the heck can I get freakin burlap sacks, they don't make em any more?
At one of Allen's classes he mentioned he keeps his fish in a burlap sack and douses em with water to keep em fresh. Hey when I was a kid we could crab for dungees right off muni pier near aquatic park (SF)..okay I dated myself i'm an old dude...but here it comes kids Nov 5th the first day of the season!!
I'm gonna go for HMB for starters...
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One of those independent coffee houses might be able to hook you up. I got mine from The Verve in Capitola (thanks Hotplate).
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Deer bags work too. The mesh ones dont last as long, but it does the job.
Anthony
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If you're going to HMB any one of the harbor stores will sell you one for a couple bucks.
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thanks guys, good stuff :smt006
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Is there anything I can do to keep the seals from leasing with my crab pots? I watched them methodically swim from trap to trap all day at Doran yesturday.
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Enclosed bait cages or bait jars seem to keep them away :smt002 We learned at Albion from the One Eyed Crab Ring Bandit! If its just a zip tied carcass, they will get it!
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I got this from another site and just wanted to see if anyone has tried galvanic time releases? The release time varies according to the salinity and temperature. I'm sure it can be consistent once that's figured out for our local waters.
The plan would be to set traps, pick up crabs while there, use release, leave for x days and retrieve. There's always a chance that it pops up right in front of a poacher, but at least it increases the chances of pulling up a plugged trap.
http://www.neptunemarineproducts.com/gtr.html (http://www.neptunemarineproducts.com/gtr.html)
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I got this from another site and just wanted to see if anyone has tried galvanic time releases? The release time varies according to the salinity and temperature. I'm sure it can be consistent once that's figured out for our local waters.
The plan would be to set traps, pick up crabs while there, use release, leave for x days and retrieve. There's always a chance that it pops up right in front of a poacher, but at least it increases the chances of pulling up a plugged trap.
http://www.neptunemarineproducts.com/gtr.html (http://www.neptunemarineproducts.com/gtr.html)
The downside of the time release setup is risking someone dropping there gear right on top of yours.
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I'd use the time-release in a fairly isolated area. There's still a chance that someone could drop their trap on top of your's but I'd rather deal with that than others jacking your traps or crabs.
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Crabbing tip of the Day:
23.) Where not to set your pots
24.) Researching your crabbing area
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Burlap sacks are available at most feed stores. Look for a country store with hay bales. Chances are that will produce.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Burlap sacks are available at most feed stores. Look for a country store with hay bales. Chances are that will produce.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The Half Moon ba Fishing and Charter store at Pillar Point Harbor carries them; the use them alot on rockfishing charters
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Come on out and join us!
G-Whiz, Great Bass 2, and I will teach you how to rig your kayak and traps and demonstrate how to locate, catch, and cook those tasty crustaceans.
KAYAK CRABBING CLINIC
Location: California Canoe and Kayak (CCK) store - Jack London Square, Oakland
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 (6-8PM)
Get your kayak and traps ready for the November 3rd Dungeness Crab Season Opener!!!
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I like to bait my traps with abalone and rock fish scraps aka things i dive for. I stuff bait bags with the scrap from other fishing trips then I double bag them in ziplock bags and stick them in the freezer until crab season. Last year I went almost exclusively out of Lindamar beach in Pacifica and I had pretty good luck. The only issue was sometimes the swell would pick up and I wouldn't be able to get out through the breakers. This year I'm thinking of going from Princeton just because it's a protected launch, but it's a bit more of drive from the sunset district than i would like. That's how I roll. I would live to attend the crabbing clinic in Lodi but unfortunately I'm taking night classes right now and have a pretty full schedule. Can't wait until the 3rd. Happy Crabbing all.
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I would live to attend the crabbing clinic in Lodi but unfortunately I'm taking night classes right now and have a pretty full schedule.
Come out to the one in Oakland, it's closer!
KAYAK CRABBING CLINIC
Location: CCK store - Jack London Square, Oakland
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 (6-8PM)
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Come on out and join us!
G-Whiz, Great Bass 2, and I will teach you how to rig your kayak and traps and demonstrate how to locate, catch, and cook those tasty crustaceans.
KAYAK CRABBING CLINIC
Location: CCK store - Jack London Square, Oakland
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 (6-8PM)
Get your kayak and traps ready for the November 3rd Dungeness Crab Season Opener!!!
Me and my wife are going to attend this.
Do you have exact location? And what are the costs? Thanks Chuck!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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ChuckE is this an on shore presentation or are we going on the water?
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I think I will attend the Tuesday night crabbing clinic in Oakland. See you guys there
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Here's some of the gear and supplies that you might need to start crabbing; if you bring them to the crabbing clinic, we can help you put it all together.
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http://coastsidefishingclub.com/grey-beard-articles/crabbing-guide/ (http://coastsidefishingclub.com/grey-beard-articles/crabbing-guide/)
This guys website is very informative, but is for boaters not kayakers. Few of us dare venture out to 150 of water for crabs. None the less he has some good tips on their that I may incorparate into my crabbing.
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http://coastsidefishingclub.com/grey-beard-articles/crabbing-guide/ (http://coastsidefishingclub.com/grey-beard-articles/crabbing-guide/)
This guys website is very informative, but is for boaters not kayakers. Few of us dare venture out to 150 of water for crabs. None the less he has some good tips on their that I may incorparate into my crabbing.
John is one of the "OGs" of sport crabbing! I had the fortune of learning from him, as well as going crabbing with him on many occassions.
He used to have crabbing seminars late in October; but has not done them for a couple of years now. I took what I have learned from his, plus what I have learned on my own both boating and kayaking to hopefully come up with a modified version of his seminar; which I plan to test run next week at the CCK Tuesday night clinic.
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Hello everyone,
1st post but long time lurker :smt006 .With the opener around the corner I wanted to see how willing most members will be with the weather starting to get a little rough ? I'd like to plan for the trip and make it out there but if the winds gusting and strong surf it may deter me from making it out.
How rough is too rough for most out in Half Moon Bay ? From my experience snaring from the jetty over the years, November can get pretty nasty, but I definitely don't want to miss the opener. Anyone have any input ? Thanks all for the great info so far, I cant wait!
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I bought a couple scotty #650 bait jars that are only vented at the top (jars on far left). Searching through some old posts, someone recommended drilling extra holes/vents in these type of bait jars as the top vents don't release/milk enough to attract crabs.
For those of you that use bait jars, what size holes are you guys drilling in the jars?
What are most people putting in the bait jars? Just smash some squid, sardines, etc in there?
Also, I've seen some people using 2 bait jars and no other bait...is this normal? Or do you guys use bait jars along with another bait clipped on or in a bait cage?
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I have my bait jars filled with herring that I put in a blender. Haven't tried it yet, tho. I will be using the jars in conjunction with a variety of poultry carcasses in bait cages.
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For those of you that use bait jars, what size holes are you guys drilling in the jars?
Try not to put holes larger than 3/16"; if you do, you stand a good chance of have your jars invested with Sand fleas.
Also, try buying one of the fine point soldering irons and use them to put holes in your jar; they tend to make a smoother hole and with no burrs to worry about.
Come down to the Kayak Crabbing Clinic at CCK next Tuesday, I will be covering this an a whole lot of others tips!!!!!
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Crabs like the same good fish you do... As you pick baits, remember crabs go to better baits faster :smt044 Bigger crabs chase better food and you want big crabs :smt003 I find bait that breaks up a bit and leaves a trail of crumbs work well
:smt006 Good luck :smt006
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Try not to put holes larger than 3/16"; if you do, you stand a good chance of have your jars invested with Sand fleas.
Also, try buying one of the fine point soldering irons and use them to put holes in your jar; they tend to make a smoother hole and with no burrs to worry about.
Come down to the Kayak Crabbing Clinic at CCK next Tuesday, I will be covering this an a whole lot of others tips!!!!!
Thanks for the info Glen. I would love to make the crabbing clinic since it would help a newbie like me, but I have class that day so I won't be able to make it. Just trying to read up on here and the net as much as I can before the season starts.
So what happens when the jars get infested with sand fleas? Are they hard to get rid of?
Btw, that link Squidder posted was extremely helpful, thanks for sharing that Squidder.
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So what happens when the jars get infested with sand fleas? Are they hard to get rid of?
They just eat up all your bait...
Bummer you can't make it on Tuesday, but Victor (Vwool) is doing one the next day at Headwaters; maybe you can make it to theres...
Also, I am putting together a "How to" presentation on Crabbing, which I will post up when it's done; should be shortly after the clinic after I run it threw the group of hecklers (Loose Screw no doubt)....
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Ah, got ya, I'll make sure to keep the holes the size you recommended...damn sand lice!
Thanks for the tips Glen...I'll be looking forward to your "how to" post.
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I was using (or rather re-using) lots of containers for bait jars from takeout food, or dollar store sort of tupperware for most of last seasons crabbing and poking holes in them with a drill or knife. But overall I found it more tedious and wastefull than just using the scotty bait jars. I tried to drill a hole in the bottom of one, but slpit the plastic so I didn't do the others. But they work fine for me for baiting traps! What I also really like are the wire mesh bags you can get to put bait in for a crab ring and not having the seals make off with your bait. I was using things like potato, onion, orange/ etc sacks for these instead, but yet again I got tired of cutting them out and finding more, so I switched to the wire mesh pouches.
Headding out to Fishermans Warehouse to pickup the rest of my crabbing gear today! Cant wait to be feasting on crab in two weeks!!! :smt044
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One tip I got from the old guy that lives at Albion is to grab road kill and use it...last yr driving on my way to Doran saw a dead racoon on the side of the road and put it in a plastic bag...chopped it up and put it in and BABM baby big ass Crabs... :smt005 not only did it work...didn't cost me a dime :smt002
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I don't do this, but was thinking that stuffing bait in an old sock would work good. I may give it a shot his season. Anyone ever try something like that?
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I don't do this, but was thinking that stuffing bait in an old sock would work good. I may give it a shot his season. Anyone ever try something like that?
i have heard of someone doing this, dont remember the results, pretty sure i read it hear, cameron
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I was wondering if canned tuna or cat food would work as a simple bait jar punch a few holes with the tip if a knife and hang with some wire.
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Maybe it will be a WFO crab season like a couple seasons ago and we can experiment with things. Last season was tough going for me.
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I was wondering if canned tuna or cat food would work as a simple bait jar punch a few holes with the tip if a knife and hang with some wire.
I have put cat food in with whatever bait I am using and it seems to work. I don't do it all the time though.
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I only put "bait" in the jars that I might eat normally.....fresh chicken (wings and drumsticks), fresh frozen fish (carcasses and sardines etc) and frozen squid. Cat food and road kill ?.......you are what you\they eat..... :smt002
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Maybe it will be a WFO crab season like a couple seasons ago and we can experiment with things. Last season was tough going for me.
Crabbing comes in 5 year cycles; we are in the 2nd year of the down-cycle.... next year should be the slowest, than it will pick up again the following 2 years....
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I only put "bait" in the jars that I might eat normally.....fresh chicken (wings and drumsticks), fresh frozen fish (carcasses and sardines etc) and frozen squid. Cat food and road kill ?.......you are what you\they eat..... :smt002
Haha thats one of the reason I don't put it in anymore. When I thought of it that way, I decided to keep it simple.
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One cheap item I tired using was a bird feeder Suet cage. These go for $5 bucks or so at Home Depot. You can find them in the outdoor bird feeder stuff. Nice part they are smaller then some other cages or nets. My promar net holds an ungodly amount of bait. Suet cage about half as much.
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After doing my research on here and the web, I'm just starting to get my gear ready and have a few noobie questions.
So my setup is a crab trap to 4 point harness to 100ft lead core line with pool noodle float. Am I missing anything here or is that how most people set it up?
What I'm curious about is lets say I'm dropping in 50ft of water, add 20% extra so that is 60ft of line. What would I do with the excess line so it doesn't just hang down and possibly cause tangles?
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After doing my research on here and the web, I'm just starting to get my gear ready and have a few noobie questions.
So my setup is a crab trap to 4 point harness to 100ft lead core line with pool noodle float. Am I missing anything here or is that how most people set it up?
What I'm curious about is lets say I'm dropping in 50ft of water, add 20% extra so that is 60ft of line. What would I do with the excess line so it doesn't just hang down and possibly cause tangles?
Lead core mainline is not needed. For most occasions neither is 100 feet of rope. Most places we go 50 feet of rope is perfect. If anything a top shot of about 10 feet of weighted line is more than adequate hope this helps.
I've been kayak crabing for 5 years and have never dropped over 50 feet.( too far to pull haha.)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk because I'm one of the cool kids.
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For me I have been using 1/4 poly rope, cheap at OSH and such places. I use a Float line, and a Main line of varing lengths. My float line is 25ft, which if I crab in shallow water can also be used as just the main line. I weight down the float line with weights so that it doesn't pool on the surface. Then have two different lenths that can be added to the Float line in either 25ft, or 50ft. ( WOW!!! HOME RUN!!!! :smt007 ) The Main line I have some electrical cord wraps to wrap up the excess length. Like James, I rarely ended up in deeper than 50-60 fow for crabbing, especially early in the season. :smt002
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What I'm curious about is lets say I'm dropping in 50ft of water, add 20% extra so that is 60ft of line. What would I do with the excess line so it doesn't just hang down and possibly cause tangles?
you must remember, you bouy will not float directly above the pot because of current; so in 50' of water, if there is ANY current, your bouy will be drifting under water down current of the pot. See illustration below. Ziptie a couple of 1oz sinkers to the line at 10' and 15' below the bouy; this will keep the excess line from floating....
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Perfect. I know exactly what I need to do now. Thanks everyone.
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I tired the tuna can thing at Doran last year, and got a lot of rock crabs and a few undersized dungies. For my money stick with real bait. Tuna has been processed, and you have to play with it after the fact. AS the Tuna is "cooked" I don't think it gives off enough oily output. I like to lube my bait with some cooking oil to get that extra slick going. On a slow day with JTfishing as my witness I would get 20+ crabs in a ring on a pull. Sad part was, all were undersized (late in the season).
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Just a reminder of how to measure your Crab this weekend, and also make sure to use a crab gauge.
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I started using this rope from Harbor Freight last season. It's been holding up well so far and what I like about it is that it feels great on the hands on a freezing day. Also, the rope stays submerged in the water.
It's on sale at Harbor Freight right now for $2.49 (3/16" x 50ft).
(http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1674/ropeq.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/ropeq.jpg/)
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-16-inch-x-50-ft-glow-in-the-dark-polypropylene-rope-65569.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/3-16-inch-x-50-ft-glow-in-the-dark-polypropylene-rope-65569.html)
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I started using this rope from Harbor Freight last season. It's been holding up well so far and what I like about it is that it feels great on the hands on a freezing day. Also, the rope stays submerged in the water.
It's on sale at Harbor Freight right now for $2.49 (3/16" x 50ft).
(http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1674/ropeq.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/ropeq.jpg/)
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-16-inch-x-50-ft-glow-in-the-dark-polypropylene-rope-65569.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/3-16-inch-x-50-ft-glow-in-the-dark-polypropylene-rope-65569.html)
+1 :smt002 I bought some last year but hadn't tried it until this years opener. Nice on the hands and sinks itself unlike the poly rope i've been having to weight down. It also glows in the dark :smt003