Legal or not??

When I was younger we use to catch crabs by wadding up some fishing line around a hook with some bait on it... When the crab dug into the line ball they would get stuck and we would reel 'em in.  I know loop traps (snares) are legal, but are to have no more than 6 loops.  Wads of line are not discussed in the regs. book and I assume they are probably illegal... just wondering.  People used to do it at the Noyo jetty all the time, and I never saw anyone get busted.

It is illegal to take crabs using hook and line. They can only be taken using hoops and traps. From the 2012 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations:

29.80. GEAR RESTRICTIONS.
(a) General Provisions:
    (1) Saltwater crustaceans may be taken by hand.
    (2) Nets, traps or other appliances may not be used except as provided in this Section.
    (3) It is unlawful to disturb, move, or damage any trap; or remove any saltwater crustacean from a trap, that belongs to another person without written permission in possession from the owner of the trap.
(b) Hoop nets may be used to take spiny lobsters and all species of crabs. Between Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County, and the United States-Mexico border, not more than five hoop nets, as defined in (b)(1)(A) or (b)(1)(B), shall be possessed by a person when taking spiny lobster or crab, not to exceed a total of 10 hoop nets possessed when taking spiny lobster or crab, per vessel. The owner of the hoop net or person who placed the hoop net into the water shall raise the hoop net to the surface and inspect the contents of the hoop net at intervals not to exceed 2 hours.
    (1) Hoop Net Defined: There are two types of hoop nets allowed for use. They shall be defined as:
        (A) Type A: Fishing gear that is comprised of one to three rigid ring(s), with each ring measuring no greater than 36 inches in inside diameter nor less than 10 inches in inside diameter,
which is/are connected to soft mesh thereby forming a circular-shaped net with an enclosed bottom. Lift lines shall be attached only to the top ring. A second and third rigid ring(s) may be connected by soft mesh to the top ring; however, each ring must be equal in size to or smaller than the ring above it. When the net is being raised the top ring shall be above and parallel to all other rings, with the enclosed bottom portion of the soft mesh even with or hanging below all other rings. All parts of the hoop net shall collapse and lie flat when resting on the ocean floor in such a manner that the gear does not entrap or restrict the free movement of crustaceans until lifted. When suspended from lift lines, the entire hoop net shall measure no taller than 36 inches. The ring material shall not be thicker than one inch in any dimension.
        (B) Type B: Fishing gear that is comprised of two to three rigid rings (not including the bait ring), with each ring measuring no greater than 36 inches in inside diameter and the top ring measuring no less than 15 inches in inside diameter. The upper ring or rings shall be connected to the bottom ring and supported by no more than six rigid support arms, and the assembled frame shall measure no more than 10 inches tall. The rings and support material shall not be thicker than one inch in any dimension. All rings shall be connected by soft mesh, thereby forming a net with an enclosed bottom, and lift lines shall be attached only to the top ring. When suspended from lift lines the enclosed bottom portion of the net shall be even with or hanging below all other rings, and the entire net shall measure no taller than 30 inches. A bait ring may be attached to the net as long as the ring is not part of the rigid frame.
    (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.
(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.
(d) Crab loop traps may have up to six loops.
(e) Crab trap areas: Crab traps, including crab loop traps, may be used north of Point Arguello to take all species of crabs (see regulations for take of Dungeness crabs in traps from commercial
passenger fishing vessels in Section 29.85, Title 14, CCR).

What if you aren't using a hook?

What if you aren't using a hook?

29.80. GEAR RESTRICTIONS.
(a) General Provisions:
    (2) Nets, traps or other appliances may not be used except as provided in this Section.

Wads of line is not a hoop net, nor a crab trap with 2 escape rings, nor a loop trap. So I would have to say no.

What if you aren't using a hook?

29.80. GEAR RESTRICTIONS.
(a) General Provisions:
    (2) Nets, traps or other appliances may not be used except as provided in this Section.

Wads of line is not a hoop net, nor a crab trap with 2 escape rings, nor a loop trap. So I would have to say no.

Yeah, and if you break off there is gonna be a wad of mono floating around.  We have too many of those as it is. 

I'll give you a hoop net if you want one.

Yeah, and if you break off there is gonna be a wad of mono floating around.  We have too many of those as it is. 

I'll give you a hoop net if you want one.

That's very generous of you ATD 

-FF

Don't misunderstand me guys... I am not asking because it is something I would still do today mainly because of the possibility of breaking off and leaving a hazard for other wildlife behind as mentioned by Auburn.  I was just thinking about it, and figuring I was lucky not to get in trouble... I was younger, and ignorant to laws.  All that being said, I can say, it was FAR more effective than those stupid snares...