Crab Guage...

Like Sin said check your gauges I just bought one at Walmart a few weeks back(Danielson) and it was almost exactly 1/8 off so I had to grind it down a bit after its first use. I actually had one crab that was short in the bucket at the time but luckily we had three different gauges with us and a tape measure, after a question came up between us on if another crab was a keeper and we all checked it with our gauges we found that all three gauges had different result and 2 of the 3 were off on the short end of the scale. We could have gotten a ticket had we not had a dispute that morning about that second question marked crab. So I threw the shorty back. After that morning when I got home I trimmed a bit off all of my gauges now and they are all over the minimum so no matter what my smallest keeper on future trips will always be above the 5 3/4 slot. I dont see how the gauge makers can make measuring devices that are not even close to the size requirement and not be held accountable for selling an item that can get you in trouble with fish and game.

Put some tape on a part of your yak. Free!
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Now if i could get a free kayak LOL, i bought a few pots and have an inflatable to  drop them out of, i just want to be prepared and legal when i do go .]

considering how cheap they are, i'd probably just go to the store and get one, then make sure to measure it. saving $3 by building my own probably wouldn't be worth it.

You guys rock, very helpful to anyone. Kudos to all of you.

considering how cheap they are, i'd probably just go to the store and get one, then make sure to measure it. saving $3 by building my own probably wouldn't be worth it.
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Im not worried about price,i have been to the local bait shops and walmarts and  cant find any there,i have looked on line and the ones i have saw there were 4 inch and 6 inch  crab guages  , i read the regulations say legal dungies are 5 3/4. i didn't want to pay twice the price for shipping  to get one.

unfortunately, Yuba City is not exactly crab pot central!  next time you're in sactown though, you can get one from FW.  or if you're actually going crabbing, you'll probably pass a town that sells them. 

If you ever go to rocklin, they probably sell them at sportsman's warehouse or there's a west marine there.  you can also buy them at amazon if you have amazon prime - free shipping on certain items.

I will get a gauge before i get in the water,i know i could spend 30 bucks on gas and go get one,or i can pay 12 bucks shipping  for a $4 gauge.and i probably would have ordered one on line  but the ones i saw didn't have a 5 3/4 gauge, i will pick one or six up on my way crabbing thanks for the ideas and comments,

I will get a gauge before i get in the water,i know i could spend 30 bucks on gas and go get one,or i can pay 12 bucks shipping  for a $4 gauge.and i probably would have ordered one on line  but the ones i saw didn't have a 5 3/4 gauge, i will pick one or six up on my way crabbing thanks for the ideas and comments,

I see them on amazon or cabelas for $3-4 that have the 5 3/4" notch.  I actually can't find any that don't have these measurement notches.

http://www.amazon.com/Danielson-Crab-Clam-Shrimp-Gauge/dp/B002OBWK9C
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Eagle-Claw-Crabbing-Accessories/737717.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dcrab%26WTz_l%3DHeader%25253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=crab&WTz_l=Header%253BSearch-All+Products

Anyone know anyone who works/owns Danielson?   

I will get a gauge before i get in the water,i know i could spend 30 bucks on gas and go get one,or i can pay 12 bucks shipping  for a $4 gauge.and i probably would have ordered one on line  but the ones i saw didn't have a 5 3/4 gauge, i will pick one or six up on my way crabbing thanks for the ideas and comments,

I see them on amazon or cabelas for $3-4 that have the 5 3/4" notch.  I actually can't find any that don't have these measurement notches.

http://www.amazon.com/Danielson-Crab-Clam-Shrimp-Gauge/dp/B002OBWK9C
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Eagle-Claw-Crabbing-Accessories/737717.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dcrab%26WTz_l%3DHeader%25253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=crab&WTz_l=Header%253BSearch-All+Products

Saw those,couldnt read the numbers that  are on the gauge on the site,one of the ones that  was $8 shipping,but looks like it will work,ill probably go to  Sacramento soon enough  so i will pick a few up,i guess i should have asked what  brand  gauges you guys are using , thanks for the info,

Dude, lots of places carry them, even big 5,wallmart, etc. pick up a couple of them, they have the tendency of hiding all the time, if you go with friends, they always want to borrow them too. I have 3 or 4 or maybe even 5 of them, you must have the gauge while crabbing to measure it.
" no undersize crabs may be placed in any type of receiver, kept on the person or retained in any
person’s possession or under his direct control; all crabs shall be measured immediately and
any undersize crabs shall be released immediately into the water"

See ya at CRABFEST