Crab Buoy Regulation Clarification question

Hello All, I’m looking at the actual language of the buoy rules, and they state:

“All crab traps must be marked with a specific sized buoys.  The Main Buoy must be at least 5” in diameter and 11” in length with an additional Red Marker Buoy that is 3” in diameter and 5” in length, attached to main buoy with 3’ of line or less.”

Then, they put up the picture that we have all seen. 

My questions are as follows:

1.  Which take precedence, the language or the picture? 

The reason I ask is that I set up my buoys with a pvc pipe and flag in them.  I put a weight on one side and the flag floats vertically in the water making it much easier to spot when the swells pick up. 

2.   Can I just tie the small 5” buoy to my existing setup with a “line of 3’ or less” and be legal? 

Doing so complies to the language but not the picture.  This is why I’m asking if I can ignore the picture and comply to the language of the regulation.

3.  These regulations are for crab traps.  Are these regulations valid for hoop traps as well?

so the main thing is that Traps = Crab Pots. Hoops are not considered Traps and are their own thing "hoop nets". Thats said, if your PVC pipe has the red marker and the main float at the right size with the correct length rope, the PVC doesn't make it illegal.

so the main thing is that Traps = Crab Pots. Hoops are not considered Traps and are their own thing "hoop nets". Thats said, if your PVC pipe has the red marker and the main float at the right size with the correct length rope, the PVC doesn't make it illegal.

Interesting distinction - I hadn't thought of Hoop Nets as separate from Pots in terms of surface marking requirements. 

So, for a normal Type A Hoop Net, do I need a 5x11 buoy and additional 3x5 buoy? 

PVC pipe with flag is a great idea, BTW. 

so the main thing is that Traps = Crab Pots. Hoops are not considered Traps and are their own thing "hoop nets". Thats said, if your PVC pipe has the red marker and the main float at the right size with the correct length rope, the PVC doesn't make it illegal.

Perfect!   I’ll just tie the little red buoy to my existing setup with a short line, and I’ll assume that I’m good to go.    I’ll come back here later if I find out the hard way that my interpretation was incorrect. 

so the main thing is that Traps = Crab Pots. Hoops are not considered Traps and are their own thing "hoop nets". Thats said, if your PVC pipe has the red marker and the main float at the right size with the correct length rope, the PVC doesn't make it illegal.

Perfect!   I’ll just tie the little red buoy to my existing setup with a short line, and I’ll assume that I’m good to go.    I’ll come back here later if I find out the hard way that my interpretation was incorrect.

That's how mine is setup and haven't had a complaint, yet.  Have the small bouy attached at the bottom of the large one with a <3' line.  Of course, haven't seen CDFG anywhere when I'm out there either.

so the main thing is that Traps = Crab Pots. Hoops are not considered Traps and are their own thing "hoop nets". Thats said, if your PVC pipe has the red marker and the main float at the right size with the correct length rope, the PVC doesn't make it illegal.

Interesting distinction - I hadn't thought of Hoop Nets as separate from Pots in terms of surface marking requirements. 

So, for a normal Type A Hoop Net, do I need a 5x11 buoy and additional 3x5 buoy? 

PVC pipe with flag is a great idea, BTW.

Nope. You could use a pool noodle and a milk carton if you wanted and it would be legal

so the main thing is that Traps = Crab Pots. Hoops are not considered Traps and are their own thing "hoop nets". Thats said, if your PVC pipe has the red marker and the main float at the right size with the correct length rope, the PVC doesn't make it illegal.

Interesting distinction - I hadn't thought of Hoop Nets as separate from Pots in terms of surface marking requirements. 

So, for a normal Type A Hoop Net, do I need a 5x11 buoy and additional 3x5 buoy? 

PVC pipe with flag is a great idea, BTW.

Nope. You could use a pool noodle and a milk carton if you wanted and it would be legal

Well, that explains some of the strange looking markers I've seen then, haha.  You say milk cartons... this summer while trolling for halibut near Richmond I snagged an abandoned hoop net that had a water-filled milk jug attached.  Whole rig was submerged; clearly the jug filled with water and sank, and the person then couldn't retrieve their net.  I took it back with me and threw it out.

The reg probably has to do with the soak time limits and depths that hoop nets are normally used vice actual traps.  I imagine most hoop net users probably rarely ever leave eyesight range of their net, so having larger markers is probably not an issue.   

Well, that explains some of the strange looking markers I've seen then, haha.  You say milk cartons... this summer while trolling for halibut near Richmond I snagged an abandoned hoop net that had a water-filled milk jug attached.  Whole rig was submerged; clearly the jug filled with water and sank, and the person then couldn't retrieve their net.  I took it back with me and threw it out.

I bet that dude was blaming poachers on the radio that day, too!   

The reg probably has to do with the soak time limits and depths that hoop nets are normally used vice actual traps.  I imagine most hoop net users probably rarely ever leave eyesight range of their net, so having larger markers is probably not an issue.

That's precisely the spirit of the difference in the regs.

I bet that dude was blaming poachers on the radio that day, too!   

Ha, probably!  When I found it, it was pretty rough.  Had one small dungee entangled in it that I set free, but most of the netting was pretty ratty, and there wasn't any bait. 

On a related note, Dicks in Concord is loaded with traps. Pots, ambush, snares, buoys

I'm probably gonna go pick up another trap or two in the next couple days. Prob going to try Rockaway on Tuesday, hoping for turkey day crab and ling, haha.

Any one ever try the finding round or rectangle shaped split folding traps? Would like to add two or three more traps/nets to my arsenal, but the big ambush traps are kinda spendy.

Thinking these:
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/promar-crab-trap-24-20pmru24rndcstblcfac/20pmru24rndcstblcfac?bopisFilter=true&isaFilter=false

Two of these costs less than one hoop net, and four cost less than one ambush trap. Not planning on going deeper than about 40', and they look lightweight, so easier to carry on a kayak with limited deck space.

Anyone try these before?

Or just stick to hoop nets? I've only got one right now, but plan to get at least one more.

I'm probably gonna go pick up another trap or two in the next couple days. Prob going to try Rockaway on Tuesday, hoping for turkey day crab and ling, haha.

Any one ever try the finding round or rectangle shaped split folding traps? Would like to add two or three more traps/nets to my arsenal, but the big ambush traps are kinda spendy.

Thinking these:
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/promar-crab-trap-24-20pmru24rndcstblcfac/20pmru24rndcstblcfac?bopisFilter=true&isaFilter=false

Two of these costs less than one hoop net, and four cost less than one ambush trap. Not planning on going deeper than about 40', and they look lightweight, so easier to carry on a kayak with limited deck space.

Anyone try these before?

Or just stick to hoop nets? I've only got one right now, but plan to get at least one more.

Those look way too light to stay on place with a buoy attached. Stick to the hoop nets. Buy once cry once.

Yeah, that's kinda what I was thinking too. Just kinda broke right now - Xmas shopping, haha.

On a related note, Dicks in Concord is loaded with traps. Pots, ambush, snares, buoys

FYI Dicks do price match. Please bring a screenshot or website ready when you go there. I bought 7 last time (for me and friends) and they price matched it.