Modifying Promar TR-102W

Has anyone come up with a way to modify a Promar Model# TR-102W with rotten cotton to conform to the new crabbing regs?

Saw this old post that looks interesting and might spark some ideas.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=6038.msg50190#msg50190

Disclaimer - yet to be tested in situ:
Three short, braided rotten cotton loops and three of the oldest, toughest, corroded snaps (I believe they were 80 lb class) I could find in my tacklebox. Wrapped the loops around the collapsible metal frame at the location of the factory clips, and inserted the ends into the snap. Size of the loop was key to avoid the frame from separating a bit. Also made sure one end of the snap was attached to a piece of the netting so it wouldn't disappear as soon as I unhook. I braided the string to get a little more strength. I would guess the breaking strength on the rotten cotton I have seemed to be a little less than 15 lb mono. I'll be prepared with some stronger rotten cotton at the first sign of failure.

I found this,

http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/2003/180_2regs.pdf

and this

http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3814.0;attach=6980;image

the above chart mentions nylon twine, hopefully the same diameter for cotton?

couldn't find a DFW definition of 120 size twine

Disclaimer - yet to be tested in situ:
Three short, braided rotten cotton loops and three of the oldest, toughest, corroded snaps (I believe they were 80 lb class) I could find in my tacklebox. Wrapped the loops around the collapsible metal frame at the location of the factory clips, and inserted the ends into the snap. Size of the loop was key to avoid the frame from separating a bit. Also made sure one end of the snap was attached to a piece of the netting so it wouldn't disappear as soon as I unhook. I braided the string to get a little more strength. I would guess the breaking strength on the rotten cotton I have seemed to be a little less than 15 lb mono. I'll be prepared with some stronger rotten cotton at the first sign of failure.

I can picture what you are describing but wouldn't braiding void it since they specify a single strand?

Also are three loops considered three strands?

Not knocking your solution just trying to make sure since DFG is consistently clear as mud with their regs.

Per Dale's post
"(2) untreated cotton twine size No. 21-thread or less, except that traps used to take Dungeness or rock crabs are limited to a single strand of untreated cotton twine size No. 120 or less;"

That's why I kind of liked ChuckE's post from way back.
Note the single continuous thread wrapped width wise along the top opening.

ChuckE's concept is nice. Mine, not so much. I would agree with your assessment of the regulations. I wasn't concerned in the least about braiding the cotton thread I had available because I'm a cheap stinker (and the braided thread was pretty indistinguishable from twine since I used such a light thread). But there is no way anybody should try to defend three separate attachments. I would not trust my technique with only one self destruct mechanism holding the whole thing together. I would be interested to see what no. 120 twine looks like. A more robust twine would provide more options. Thanks for the post!

I'm thinking of an opposing bungee cord/rubber strap/inner tube set up - one of which has a hook in the middle fastened to the strap with rotten cotton. Basically use the original hooks on the ends of the strap on one of the center bars and then pull the middle of the strap to  attach the hook with the rotten cotton to the middle of the opposite end of the trap. The strap will be in a vee shape with the open end of the vee at the middle of the trap. For the other side you can avoid the rotton cotton and just loop the bungee the end bar of the trap and connect to hooks to the middle bar. The bungees hold the trap closed and when the cotton rots then the side its holding closed will fall open.

Cheers,
Brad

Some thought provoking info with pics -  https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=132266&inline

That's why I kind of liked ChuckE's post from way back.
Note the single continuous thread wrapped width wise along the top opening.

Does that have a 5" diameter in all directions?

-Allen

That's why I kind of liked ChuckE's post from way back.
Note the single continuous thread wrapped width wise along the top opening.

Does that have a 5" diameter in all directions?

-Allen

I'm pretty sure if that rotten cotton gives way that hole will suffice.

I still have all that crab bait you gave me last year