Crabbing From Shore With a Launcher

June 23, 2016

Question: While crabbing from shore with a rod/reel/crab snare, I was not having any luck. I noticed a guy on a paddle board with a crab trap just past my maximum casting distance, and he was catching crabs no problem. Would it be legal to launch a crab snare, attached to the line of a rod and reel, with a catapult, trebuchet, water balloon launcher or similar device? If only I could get it out 10 more feet or so I feel I would have better success. (Ivan M., San Francisco)

Answer: There are no Fish and Game regulations that prohibit the use of a device to send your terminal gear out to locations beyond where you can cast. However, you might want to check local (city, county, state beach, etc.) ordinances for the beaches where you will be crabbing prior to using one of these devices. Some people use kites or remote controlled boats for this purpose.

Trebuchet 

Trebuchet 

I fully expect the Bill science fair winning crab bait launching trebuchet to premier at Albion.

Trebuchet 

I fully expect the Bill science fair winning crab bait launching trebuchet to premier at Albion.

Had to whip out a Burning Man moment from last year ... speaking of trebuchet