rigging crab traps

Go with the Promar 102's unless you really want the small traps.  The smaller ones I use more like hoops because they are a lot easier for the crab to escape.  The 102's you can soak a bit longer, or feel less stressed about escaping jumbos

Just curious ... which small traps?

I like to use as little hardware as possible, which is one clip to attach my mainline to my trap. I then use bowline knots or surgeons loops to create loops in the ends of my main line, and float line to attach them together.  My mainline has been 1/4" poly rope, color coded for main line vs float line and different lengths(geek<---). 

I used to use a clip to the trap, but have since gone away.  The "trigger" on brass clips was always catching the 102 netting.  And the hinge pins on small carabiners were rusting out even though they were stainless carabiners.  A loop works fine, best to splice it in as knots will also catch the 102 netting.

-Allen

And the hinge pins on small carabiners were rusting out even though they were stainless carabiners. 

-Allen

Corrosion X once a month will prevent that.

And the hinge pins on small carabiners were rusting out even though they were stainless carabiners. 

-Allen

Corrosion X once a month will prevent that.

Sure it will.  But I'm more disappointed that stainless 'biners would have non-stainless pins.  Well, I'm assuming they are non-stainless, but the 'biner itself was not corroded one bit while the pin literally disintegrated.

But, I'm perfectly happy with the loop connection.  It was cheaper (free!) than buying new clips.

-Allen

Go with the Promar 102's unless you really want the small traps.  The smaller ones I use more like hoops because they are a lot easier for the crab to escape.  The 102's you can soak a bit longer, or feel less stressed about escaping jumbos

Just curious ... which small traps?


I used to use a clip to the trap, but have since gone away.  The "trigger" on brass clips was always catching the 102 netting.  And the hinge pins on small carabiners were rusting out even though they were stainless carabiners.  A loop works fine, best to splice it in as knots will also catch the 102 netting.

-Allen

He was asking about the Promar 101's and 102's, the 101's are small, 102's are big.  I've got both and have used both successfully, but prefer the larger ones now. 

About the clips.  Same situation here, the clips don't last long at all.  But because of how I do my bridals, the clip makes things much easier for me.  On the Promars you have to undo clips in the center and unfold the trap to get at the buggers.  I only unclip one side of the bridal, leaving the other side attached to the main line, then wrestle the buggers over the side or into the bag after checking for size.  It's also nice to be able to check them easily and quickly while still inside the trap.

Go with the Promar 102's unless you really want the small traps.  The smaller ones I use more like hoops because they are a lot easier for the crab to escape.  The 102's you can soak a bit longer, or feel less stressed about escaping jumbos

Just curious ... which small traps?


I used to use a clip to the trap, but have since gone away.  The "trigger" on brass clips was always catching the 102 netting.  And the hinge pins on small carabiners were rusting out even though they were stainless carabiners.  A loop works fine, best to splice it in as knots will also catch the 102 netting.

-Allen

He was asking about the Promar 101's and 102's, the 101's are small, 102's are big.  I've got both and have used both successfully, but prefer the larger ones now. 

About the clips.  Same situation here, the clips don't last long at all.  But because of how I do my bridals, the clip makes things much easier for me.  On the Promars you have to undo clips in the center and unfold the trap to get at the buggers.  I only unclip one side of the bridal, leaving the other side attached to the main line, then wrestle the buggers over the side or into the bag after checking for size.  It's also nice to be able to check them easily and quickly while still inside the trap.

Ah yes, 101's vs. 102's.  Yup ... what Al says!

I'm confused on your clipping strategy.  I have the promar bridals with the plastic clips on some pots, and just spliced loops on others.  They stay attached to the 4 corners at all times.  At the top of the 4 point harness is a loop.  I loop-to-loop connect the mainline to that.

-Allen

I didn't want to buy the bridal sets that Promar makes, so I made my own, like with my stand up buoys.    So the way I do my bridals is kind of like a shopping bag with handles.  I tie two loops essentially, corner to corner on one end, and corner to corner on the other.  Makes two loops that when clipped in the center of both loops, creates equal pressure on all four corners. Unclip one end of the bridal and I have full access to the inside of the trap.  Can do some pics tomorrow if your still interested.

I didn't want to buy the bridal sets that Promar makes, so I made my own, like with my stand up buoys.    So the way I do my bridals is kind of like a shopping bag with handles.  I tie two loops essentially, corner to corner on one end, and corner to corner on the other.  Makes two loops that when clipped in the center of both loops, creates equal pressure on all four corners. Unclip one end of the bridal and I have full access to the inside of the trap.  Can do some pics tomorrow if your still interested.

I see, but why do you need to unclip one end of the bridal?  Just make the loops bigger and the 102 should open without having to unclip anything.

-Allen

These clips seem to work pretty well.  All brass except for the stainless spring, and big enough to clip the bait jars to.  I do keep the spring  oiled.

I see, but why do you need to unclip one end of the bridal?  Just make the loops bigger and the 102 should open without having to unclip anything.

-Allen

I guess it's just because I like the way it feels with the shorter loops.  With the loops just barely able to touch in the center of the trap where they are clipped, the whole trap feels more ridged. But also gets in the way of the opening of the center of the trap.  I also like the use of the clip on the main line to connect to the trap, because I like to transport the ropes and traps separately on my X-Factor or Outback. Doesn't really matter on the AI though, with the spare couch to my right to store things on. 

Great thread and info - how 'bout some pictures to go with this if you can, it'd really help!

John

I see, but why do you need to unclip one end of the bridal?  Just make the loops bigger and the 102 should open without having to unclip anything.

-Allen

I guess it's just because I like the way it feels with the shorter loops.  With the loops just barely able to touch in the center of the trap where they are clipped, the whole trap feels more ridged. But also gets in the way of the opening of the center of the trap.  I also like the use of the clip on the main line to connect to the trap, because I like to transport the ropes and traps separately on my X-Factor or Outback. Doesn't really matter on the AI though, with the spare couch to my right to store things on. 

Got it!

-Allen

Leaded line is meant to be coiled. It will coil by its self, normally. I would never crab without "crabbing" line (rope). Once you use it and see that it usually doesn't tangle, you will never go back!

 How are you all using it such that you have tangling issues?  When I pull a pot I pull on one side, the buoy and line goes across to the other side and into the water.  If I want to move the pot, I set it to the front of my cockpit then just pull the line back in and onto my lap with the buoy on top. 

When on the yak I operated the same way but line management is always a concern.  When I first started I had polypro, I'd get knots that come up in the middle of the line while I'm dropping one down and suddenly you're on a tippy yak trying to untangle a line that has a 5lb weight on one end.  Plus it cinches down on whatever it wraps around, could be a foot, rod holder, ram mount etc.  I switched to a hard lay line after my third crabbing trip and it was way easier to manage.  Just my $.02.   

Leaded line is meant to be coiled. It will coil by its self, normally. I would never crab without "crabbing" line (rope). Once you use it and see that it usually doesn't tangle, you will never go back!

 How are you all using it such that you have tangling issues?  When I pull a pot I pull on one side, the buoy and line goes across to the other side and into the water.  If I want to move the pot, I set it to the front of my cockpit then just pull the line back in and onto my lap with the buoy on top. 

When on the yak I operated the same way but line management is always a concern.  When I first started I had polypro, I'd get knots that come up in the middle of the line while I'm dropping one down and suddenly you're on a tippy yak trying to untangle a line that has a 5lb weight on one end.  Plus it cinches down on whatever it wraps around, could be a foot, rod holder, ram mount etc.  I switched to a hard lay line after my third crabbing trip and it was way easier to manage.  Just my $.02.   

It occurred to me that there is more than one type of poly rope, and if you use the wrong kind, you would be subject to tangles.  Use another kind and the problem is almost non-existent.

Cheap hollow poly braid is bad. It kinks and tangles.  There are some "softer" poly braids that work better.
Cheap twisted poly is a little better, although still a little kinky and tangly.
Solid poly braid (usually the stuff that is a braid of white and some color) is much easier to work with and doesn't really kink and tangle for me.
Braided nylon (dock rope or anchor line rope) is good, doesn't kink and tangle and is a little stiffer than the solid poly braid.

Today is a rigging day for me.  I came across some leaded line and will rig some of that.  I have some softer poly braid and will use some of that.  I already have some solid poly braid and some nylon.  Yup, I'm going to try them all and compare and contrast.

And the fun doesn't stop there.  I have 4 new pots/rings to rig and compare: a new Promar 102, a Promar 632 (collapsible round), a Promar Ambush, and a Promar Eclipse (collapsible hoop net).

-Allen

I'm gonna be rigging later too, I have two of the conicals and three folding promars. 

The 102s out fished the danielsons last year and were alot easier to handle on the boat so I'm switching all my danielsons out to promars.

The conicals fish quick but I remember them coming up with alot more shorts, this was later in the season though.  Only issue was the belly in the net was akward to haul over the rail, may not be an issue on the yak.

Me and angle are gonna yak it in hmb tomorrow, ill be pulling your string and depositing pabst blue ribbon in return....I love crabbing