Crab pot question

I was reading over the regs on crab pots and if I'm reading it right, it looks to me like the Danielson collapsible traps are illegal. The reg states that the escape rings have to be at least 4 1/4" ID and can't be any less than 5" from the bottom of the trap to the lowest point of the ring. On my traps, both rings are located on top of the trap.
Any clarification would be appreciated since I know a lot of us use these.

Anthony.

Which model are you referring to?

Danielson Pacific FTC crab trap

Anthony

They're legal.....if someone had been ticketed this would have come up way long ago.

Reg reads....

(c) Crab traps shall have at least two rigid circular openings of not less than four and one-quarter inches inside diameter so constructed that the lowest portion of each opening is no lower than five inches from the top of the trap.

I read....bottom of circle can't be lower than 5" from the top of the trap. Since its on the top is within the 5".   Not sure of the reasoning, maybe to prevent small crabs from entering through the escape ring???

It 's probably so they can still escape if the trap gets submerged in the sand or mud.

Aaargggg!!!' I for some reason confused the "top" from the bottom. Im lame. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Anthony

No worries, always better safe than sorry.

It 's probably so they can still escape if the trap gets submerged in the sand or mud.

Thats precisely the reason.

We are going to the Headwaters (Lodi) crabbing class/meeting on Oct. 17th...we haven't been crabbing before, but here's a question - how long do you leave the nets out there before you check them?

We are going to the Headwaters (Lodi) crabbing class/meeting on Oct. 17th...we haven't been crabbing before, but here's a question - how long do you leave the nets out there before you check them?

It all depends on what types of traps you are using. Some have to be checked more often then others. I will go over all that at the clinic. Look forward to seeing you there.

Victor you should record your clinic and make it into a podcast you can put on Headwaters website.

We are going to the Headwaters (Lodi) crabbing class/meeting on Oct. 17th...we haven't been crabbing before, but here's a question - how long do you leave the nets out there before you check them?

It all depends on what types of traps you are using. Some have to be checked more often then others. I will go over all that at the clinic. Look forward to seeing you there.

Hey, Victor! Thanks for the reply - I am looking forward to the clinic. I know Dan talked about camping sites....what places are over there? I need some names so I can look them up online.

-Cherie
P.S. I liek the idea of recording it!

Victor you should record your clinic and make it into a podcast you can put on Headwaters website.

+1

how long do you leave the nets out there before you check them?

there is no limit to how long you can leave a crab trap out before you are required to check them; however, crab rings (hoop nets) are required to be checked at least every 2 hours.

regulation:
(2) Any hoop net abandoned or left unchecked for more then 2 hours may be considered
abandoned and may be seized by any person authorized to enforce these regulations.

That being said, hoop nets should be checked every 15-20 minutes; crabs tend to migrate in & out once they get there fill. Unlike crab traps, you can leave them out until you are ready to leave the water; they will continue to fish until the trap is removed. Smaller crabs can exit the traps once the find the exit ring.

Continuing to check your pots, without rebaiting it with fresh bait, will deminish your chances of attracting crab.

In the early season, before the commies get to set there gear, catching crabs is generally easy; once the commies drop their gear and/or as the season goes on, it gets a little more challenging....

I soak my traps for 3 hours minimum. At HMB, thievery is pretty common. People take crabs out of other peoples traps, or just take their traps. Rings, every 15-20. I try to go a little further than the rest when setting my traps. Thieves are lazy people, so hopefully my floats will be too far for them.