Crabbing questions

Hi folks,

I have some basic crabbing questions:
1. When crabbing with a hoop net, if you get crabs when you pull up the net, but they are not legal size, do you keep crabbing the same area? Or do you go to another area, hoping to find bigger ones?
2. For the collapsible crab traps (I'm using the promar version), do people zip tie the collapsible gates to the cage so they don't break down? Is it really necessary? Or does the pressure from the buoy on the surface keep the trap together? I used zip ties the one time I went out, but then it was harder to transport the traps.

Thanks for any perspectives.

Hi folks,

I have some basic crabbing questions:
1. When crabbing with a hoop net, if you get crabs when you pull up the net, but they are not legal size, do you keep crabbing the same area? Or do you go to another area, hoping to find bigger ones?
2. For the collapsible crab traps (I'm using the promar version), do people zip tie the collapsible gates to the cage so they don't break down? Is it really necessary? Or does the pressure from the buoy on the surface keep the trap together? I used zip ties the one time I went out, but then it was harder to transport the traps.

Thanks for any perspectives.

1. When crabbing with a hoop net, if you get crabs when you pull up the net, but they are not legal size, do you keep crabbing the same area? Or do you go to another area, hoping to find bigger ones?

It depends for me - if I catch a lot that are close, I will likely keep a hoop in that area.  If I catch just a couple that are really small, then I move for sure.

2. For the collapsible crab traps (I'm using the promar version), do people zip tie the collapsible gates to the cage so they don't break down? Is it really necessary? Or does the pressure from the buoy on the surface keep the trap together? I used zip ties the one time I went out, but then it was harder to transport the traps.

I pinched the tabs closed so that the traps are permanently assembled, but I don't have space concerns for transport or storage.  They ride just fine in the bed of the pickup, and I hang them in the rafters in my garage, out of the way.  If I was not in a truck, I would probably collapse them for transport - zip ties would probably be the easy answer there like you mentioned. 

+1 on that

thx. How many crab pots do you take on your 'yak? Do you have trouble transporting them when on the water? I've only gone out once, but one nice thing about the hoop nets is they seem more easily stackable. But...I had better luck with the actual crab pots. I ended up having two crab pots balanced on the bow of my hobie compass, which is fairly narrow, and then two hoops on the back of my boat, with the PVC "H" holder in the scupper holes. but it would be easier to lay the crab traps flat on the back, and then put the hoop nets on of them if I bring both types out.

thx. How many crab pots do you take on your 'yak? Do you have trouble transporting them when on the water? I've only gone out once, but one nice thing about the hoop nets is they seem more easily stackable. But...I had better luck with the actual crab pots. I ended up having two crab pots balanced on the bow of my hobie compass, which is fairly narrow, and then two hoops on the back of my boat, with the PVC "H" holder in the scupper holes. but it would be easier to lay the crab traps flat on the back, and then put the hoop nets on of them if I bring both types out.

Your thoughts are basically my experience too.  Last outing, I brought 3 hoop nets and one box trap - about what I could safely carry.  I could probably carry another hoop or two, but another trap would be tough because of the bulk.  Not sure I would want to be messing with trying to get the trap unfolded and gear assembled on the water, sounds like a good way to get stuff tangled.  With crabbing, my number 1 goal is to keep everything as organized as I can, because a line can easily get wrapped around a rudder and be a giant PITA to get untangled.  I add bait and connect lines and buoys on shore, so that when I get out there, all I gotta do is unbundle the line and drop my gear. 

I dropped the trap first, then worked the 3 hoops for a couple hours, then pulled the trap.  With the hoops, I only caught one keeper, but lots of shorts.  With the trap, I caught 5 keepers and probably 20 or 25 shorts.  It was heavy enough I had to pull some of the short crabs out before I could even get it over my gunnel.  I dipped the gunnel and got my deck wet when I first tried to pull it up, haha.  Good thing the big access is on top!

Next time out, I might just bring my big tandem and carry two traps, and not bother with the hoops.  Hoops are a lot of work, and I could be fishing all day - uninterrupted - rather than working hoops.

This year is kinda strange too - the crab seem to be closer/shallower than they were the last couple years, but I am sure there are variables there that I am not privy too.