Ideal Danielson Crabbing Setup

I know, I know, everyone is their own special snowflake and has their own way of doing things. However, I just spent the morning re-rigging some traps I picked up used, and I wanted to share my method, because I had some issues with the way they used to be set up.

Primarily, the previous setup had the lines tied directly to the frame.  The problem with doing it that way is that the traps can't fold flat, and you have lines that tangle to that trap and others, making everything a huge mess.  One even had poly line tied on top of the rotton-cotton escape ring.

As well, the other methods didn't have any real system for managing the line, either for storage or on the water, which can end up in a lot of tangles in transport and on the water.

Thirdly, they all had a single failure point, usually a carabiner which could snap as your pulling the trap, sending it to the bottom.

So, for your consideration, here's my setup:













The line is kept neat on a permanently attached line winder that came with the line.  This helps with keeping the line organized in transport, and also lets you adjust the line length if you're dropping traps shallower.

For mini carabiners attach the line to the trap.  If one fails, there are three more to back it up.  The four small lines are tied to the main line.  Super easy to take down.

The one center mini carabiner doubles as a clip for the Scotty bait holder, and also clips the trap flat for storage and transport.  Using that clip, six traps fold flat in 10" of space.

The end of the line that attaches to the buoy is one big loop to join to the buoy with a loop-to-loop knot.

Happy to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for sharing. 

I bought some pre made ones with plastic clips and they have lasted several years. Get them for like $5 when you find a good sale. 

I've seen those around, but the fact that they all terminate in one ring makes me nervous.

Thanks for sharing. 

I bought some pre made ones with plastic clips and they have lasted several years. Get them for like $5 when you find a good sale. 

I like those also. Plastic will last forever.
In my experience, the carabiners will not hold up in the salt for long.

Those cheap carabiners don't last but a couple dives when I gave them a try and can easily open when you don't want them open.  As for the one ring with the other ones it is solid and if one line breaks the other three are still on the ring.  In theory as I have not had any break. 

I also like thicker rope but do have an electric pot retrieval that works better with thicker rope.  Not like I have been able to crab at all this year as Mendo is still closed and not driving south for crab.

Clean set up!  I also mirror what the guys are saying about the cheap carabiners. While the body is aluminum, the spring and rivet are not and you really need to rinse/grease them if you want them to last. I had one on my bait cup as well and it came apart.

I too use the Promar 4-1 and even hang  them from the rafters in the garage when not in use.  I never fold the traps up, but have a pick-up to haul them in.  I bought the leaded rope and like it because its thicker and a little easier on the hands when pulling (thinner rope on my rings) and boaters get very close to my buoys so I'm glad my ropes not floating.  It's also a little easier to untangle.

I'm getting a couple of those line winders for the rings.  Save me a little frustration every time I get them out.  Thanks for the post.