Another Promar TR-102W 5" Opening Modification

I really liked the stainless steel clips that hold the Promar TR-102W crab traps shut. They can be easily closed using a single hand. This might not sound like much, but you will really appreciate this feature when you are sitting with the trap on your lap and bouncing around in the waves.

There have been a few modifications posted to make the Promar TR-102W compliant with the 2016 crabbing regulations. Unfortunately, all the ones I have seen involved removing the stainless steel clips and replacing them with loops of untreated cotton twine. To close the trap, you will have to wrap the loops around both door frames and attach it to a bungee cord to keep tension on the twine. Not easy to do if you are constantly watching for incoming swells.

I wanted to retained the stainless steel clips, so my modification involved the existing circular escape rings. The Promar TR-102W comes with two 4.25" circular escape rings on the sides of the trap. These rings are attached to the netting using polypropylene line. I carefully cut away this line and removed the circular ring, revealing a 3 mesh square x 3 mesh square opening, approximately 4.5" x 4.5". This was smaller than the required 5" opening, so I cut away an extra row and column of mesh squares, forming a 4 mesh square x 4 mesh square opening about 6" x 6". I then wove the circular escape ring into the larger opening using untreated cotton twine.

Nice clean cut.
One thing I would like to point out whether true or not, you can to check it yourself.
If you cut one of the cotton twine(anywhere), would it break and make the 5" opening, if it won't there is a problem. At least I see that it won't in your 5" opening the way you tie it.

That was going to be my option B.
But instead I was going to use a 5" diameter piece of coated wire mesh in it's place.

I like your idea of re-purposing the existing escape ring so that the only material you need is the rotten cotton.

Thanks Tim

Nice clean cut.
One thing I would like to point out whether true or not, you can to check it yourself.
If you cut one of the cotton twine(anywhere), would it break and make the 5" opening, if it won't there is a problem. At least I see that it won't in your 5" opening the way you tie it.

I don't think the regs specify that. It does specify continuous strand which I believe he has accomplished.

Nice, exactly what I was imagining.  I like the clips too much to lose them.


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Nice clean cut.
One thing I would like to point out whether true or not, you can to check it yourself.
If you cut one of the cotton twine(anywhere), would it break and make the 5" opening, if it won't there is a problem. At least I see that it won't in your 5" opening the way you tie it.

From https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=132266&inline:

Crab traps must contain at least one destruct device made from a single strand of untreated cotton twine size No. 120 or less that creates an unobstructed opening anywhere in the top or upper half of the trap that is at least 5 inches in diameter when this material corrodes or fails.

It does not say a single point of failure in the cotton twine must create a 5" opening. Unless I am reading it wrong?

Nice clean cut.
One thing I would like to point out whether true or not, you can to check it yourself.
If you cut one of the cotton twine(anywhere), would it break and make the 5" opening, if it won't there is a problem. At least I see that it won't in your 5" opening the way you tie it.

From https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=132266&inline:

Crab traps must contain at least one destruct device made from a single strand of untreated cotton twine size No. 120 or less that creates an unobstructed opening anywhere in the top or upper half of the trap that is at least 5 inches in diameter when this material corrodes or fails.

It does not say a single point of failure in the cotton twine must create a 5" opening. Unless I am reading it wrong?

Krusty,

You are not reading it wrong, but I believe the intention of the rule is for a failure of the twine at any one point to create the 5" opening. It's actually an easier install to use a single loop around instead of a knot at each place you tied it, and it would meet both the letter and the intention of the regulation. Still, you came up with a brilliant idea for meeting the regulation!

Dan

Why not just have a PERMANENT 5" RING " in there.  My thinking is that when multiple numbers of crabs get in the trap, a majority of them will stay put.  Also gives you another 5" entry point for them to come in.

Sounds good until you see a fat fucker climb out at the surface 

Sounds good until you see a fat fucker climb out at the surface 

I kind of think if they can get out a 5" ring, they could probably get out the promar doors.

-Allen

Why not just have a PERMANENT 5" RING " in there.  My thinking is that when multiple numbers of crabs get in the trap, a majority of them will stay put.  Also gives you another 5" entry point for them to come in.

Because I have no idea where to buy 5" stainless steel rings.

What about some 5" pvc pipe and just cut off thin slices? I hadn't really thought about putting a permanent 5" escape in there but that might be the simplest solution.

Cheers,
Brad

What about some 5" pvc pipe and just cut off thin slices? I hadn't really thought about putting a permanent 5" escape in there but that might be the simplest solution.

Cheers,
Brad

Or instead of cutting a thin PVC, cut it maybe 6" wide then install it flush on the outside and have the rest protruding on the inside.  Kinda defeats the spirit and intent of the regulation but it would make it more acrobatic for the crab to escape.

What about some 5" pvc pipe and just cut off thin slices? I hadn't really thought about putting a permanent 5" escape in there but that might be the simplest solution.

Cheers,
Brad

Or instead of cutting a thin PVC, cut it maybe 6" wide then install it flush on the outside and have the rest protruding on the inside.  Kinda defeats the spirit and intent of the regulation but it would make it more acrobatic for the crab to escape.

A 6" long pvc escape tunnel would also make it impossible to collapse the trap flat.

What about some 5" pvc pipe and just cut off thin slices? I hadn't really thought about putting a permanent 5" escape in there but that might be the simplest solution.

Cheers,
Brad

Or instead of cutting a thin PVC, cut it maybe 6" wide then install it flush on the outside and have the rest protruding on the inside.  Kinda defeats the spirit and intent of the regulation but it would make it more acrobatic for the crab to escape.

Take another puff and go back to the drawing board 

I'm pretty sure that's how some of our kayaks are designed