Snares vs traps?

Anybody using snares instead of traps?

Im pondering local crab excursions and don’t care about bringing home limits

Also don’t want to paddle anything remotely resembling a parade float

If I had a hobie ai or ti I could see carrying traps but not on either of my current paddlacs

I read here a while back that someone paddles put, drops hoops, then dangles a snare while waiting for the hoops. Seems productive to me, only thing is it might be tricky to get it to stay in one spot long enough for a crab to get into it.

Maybe 15 years ago I dropped snares at hmb and got enough for the family. I attached them to braid with plastic bottle floats while I was fishing the reefs

I’m looking for snare recommendations

There’s somebody making snares in sf that look workable called airfly

Another option is to freedive for them which I used to do up north. Not sure I still have the breath for it

I once brought a snare to use in-between soaks at HMB.  I swear I got one of the biggest crabs I have ever caught, maybe still is the biggest.  But I have not brought the snares again, mostly because I just don't think it's as good as working my hoops and I'd rather not have the extra gear on board, for me the rod just was in the way and I had to keep moving it to be out of the way of ropes.  Like jigging you pretty much want to be stationary while snaring, so I also found trying to do that harder than just dropping a trap and coming back to it. 

That said I found some snares that I think would do well for dropping overboard like you are thinking and they are not good for casting unless your on a pier.  I got two of these kind and you are welcome to try them if you like: https://www.ebay.com/itm/275633176474?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yUl2GNdARGu&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I'm considering the Airfly and the DURASNARE ones for casting from the shoreline.  After watching a few videos on how they are made, I now know that most of the snares out there are just junk. 

When I used snares before I rigged them on a line and bottle float and left them while I fished. The only advantage is size

Carrying hoops on the stealth or tarpon is impractical and unsafe for any surf launch situation. The airfly’s look good and I’ll look at the Durasnare

Up Mendocino way I used to freedive for them Was a lot of fun chasing them they’re actually pretty fast

When I used snares before I rigged them on a line and bottle float and left them while I fished. The only advantage is size

Carrying hoops on the stealth or tarpon is impractical and unsafe for any surf launch situation. The airfly’s look good and I’ll look at the Durasnare

Up Mendocino way I used to freedive for them Was a lot of fun chasing them they’re actually pretty fast

Snare on a string, that is a cool idea.

Freediving for crab sounds like a blast! How deep were you normally diving?

I’ve been using these snares (from shore). https://www.torpedocrabsnares.com/

I’ve snared while waiting for a soak. Had success and had struggles drifting too fast. I just leave my drag loose and let it sit for 5-10mins.
Crab slayer snares are locally made and witnessed a friend have great success with them.

Looks like some good options

10-15 years ago the son of our favorite local old school Japanese grocery (which we really miss) was making them, I think out of Pacifica

Speedy the depth was easy but chasing them took a lot of energy re they’re fast and if you don’t keep up with them they get out of sight in the murk. I had around 4 minute breath hold at the time and the crab workout was challenging

Friends kept a big pot of boiling water going on the beach while I was in the water

I’ve been using these snares (from shore). https://www.torpedocrabsnares.com/

Is it the torpedo model you are using?  I found that the snares I used this weekend didn't hold well enough in the surf, probably not enough weight.  But thinking of more weight and a round design, if it held in place might just be the ticket!  I did put in an order for an 8 and 10oz snare from Durasnare, 2-4oz heavier than I was trying.  It may have been just too rough of a day, but it was definitely lower than other days per the wave energy report at surf-forecast.com.

I’ve been using the “super anchor”. The wire pins seem to hold it really well and they rotate back when you retrieve the snare.

On days I can't make it out on the yak I prefer using the Vivid Crab Snares, lead free and has a nice sand anchor. I have had great luck this year on the Sonoma coast. Snared a couple over 7". I like using the Okuma Crab Snare Special Rod paired up with the Okuma Cedros 8000 reel. Launching Snares!

On days I can't make it out on the yak I prefer using the Vivid Crab Snares, lead free and has a nice sand anchor. I have had great luck this year on the Sonoma coast. Snared a couple over 7". I like using the Okuma Crab Snare Special Rod paired up with the Okuma Cedros 8000 reel. Launching Snares!

I'm pretty tempted to upgrade rod/reel as I think that the rod might be too stiff, it seems I can't cast as far as I would like.  With a lighter snare I could get the rod I have to load up and fire it out, but seems the heavier ones I'm not getting the distance.

On days I can't make it out on the yak I prefer using the Vivid Crab Snares, lead free and has a nice sand anchor. I have had great luck this year on the Sonoma coast. Snared a couple over 7". I like using the Okuma Crab Snare Special Rod paired up with the Okuma Cedros 8000 reel. Launching Snares!

I'm pretty tempted to upgrade rod/reel as I think that the rod might be too stiff, it seems I can't cast as far as I would like.  With a lighter snare I could get the rod I have to load up and fire it out, but seems the heavier ones I'm not getting the distance.

Been launching 10 oz snares packed with bait and have no issues casting out some distance. I am not familiar with other rods but since I got the Okuma Crab Snare Special I feel like my casting distance has really improved. You can really load up on these to be able to sent them out past the break. I will most likely be out around the Doran area this weekend. If anyone would like to try one out let me know... I got 3 set-ups!
 

Weather forecast is STELLAR this week in Doran, and a first hand report literally minutes ago was that crab are on the chew. Hum, maybe I should join you!