kayakers. what is the recommended Crab trap for us?

the Dungie is the best thing (to eat) I think we can pull from the sea. 

I want in!!  I would like to be somewhat prepared.  any recommendations?

I have settled on the Promar ambush hoop net.  I find 3 to be my sweet spot.  I drop them in a triangle and work them one by one until I limit.

thanks.  I think those are the ones I saw at West Marine. 

I'll go see if they have a store closing sale. 

I have settled on the Promar ambush hoop net.  I find 3 to be my sweet spot.  I drop them in a triangle and work them one by one until I limit.

This^^^
Cuz you don't get to use regular traps much anymore...

Crab is definitely my favorite ocean treat, and crabbing from the kayak is really fun!

I've had good luck with the regular Promar hoop net type, and I think they are easier to carry on a kayak, since they lay flat.  They do take a little attention to get set just right - you will want to make sure that it sinks the right way so that the small hoop stays inside the big hoop.  Agree with Tedski - 3 is a good number for the kayak.

I've also used the regular Danielson box traps, which work great when allowed.  One thing to be cautious of with those though - they get HEAVY!  I pulled one last season that had probably 30 crabs, and while only 5 or 6 were keeper size, the trap as whole took significant effort to get to the surface.  I couldn't even get it onto my kayak to dump it out - had to hold it next to me in the water, and use one hand to pluck the crabs out one by one.  Was very glad to have a stable kayak for that one. 

Save some fish carcasses for crab bait.  Skin on chicken works pretty well for me too, but I think fish works better.  I like the bags for bait, but make sure you have them clipped on really well.

I have settled on the Promar ambush hoop net.  I find 3 to be my sweet spot.  I drop them in a triangle and work them one by one until I limit.

This^^^
Cuz you don't get to use regular traps much anymore...

I'll cast another vote for the Promar ambush hoops. I have also used Danielson box traps and the lay flat hoops and I find the ambush hoops work better and faster than the Danielsons and hold crabs better than the lay flat hoops. I can carry up to 6 on my Hobie outback in calm bays like Tomales and 4 for surf launches like Rockaway, on calm days. I put some extra weight in mine to prevent them from walking around. When I used them without weights sometimes they would move, especially in deeper water, >50ft. For each hoop I bent 2 pieces of 20" of 5/8" rebar to the same curve as the outer hoop, painted them and tied it on the inside so it doesn't interfere with the neat stacking. Also, like Clb mentioned, we don't get to use the box traps much anymore.

thanks,  speed reading regulations now.

my rookie thinking was Trap=hoop nets.

thanks,  speed reading regulations now.

my rookie thinking was Trap=hoop nets.

A "trap" is completely enclosed. Flat hoop nets, or conical are open and not considered a trap.

I fish a mix of flat hoops and conical up to 4 of each. I find the conical hold crab better, but take longer to load. Flat hoops load super fast (15 mins) but also empty out fast. I use the flats to prospect areas while my conicals are loading. I use the inflatable outriggers for crabbing which is how I carry so much gear.

Good luck and have fun!

+1 for the ambush traps. I use a soft rope and small floats so they take up less room. I put the rope and float in the trap and then stack another one on top and repeat. I run my gaff handle through the stack of traps to help make sure they stay on the kayak. I also figure I could use the gaff to hook the trap and pull it on board if I ever bring up an over full trap. I start with 50 feet of rope and attach 25 foot extensions when the water is deeper.

I like Promar ambush hoop nets. It can be a lot of gear so do think about how to organize and manage it safely.

Dang, looks like I am deep in the minority for flat hoops, haha.  I might need to try an ambush type or two this coming season.  I still gotta sort out how to load my kayak - haven't crabbed off either of my current 'yaks yet. 

dang..  if my Christmas lights storage is any indicator of my cord/rope storage skills..I am doomed. 

dang..  if my Christmas lights storage is any indicator of my cord/rope storage skills..I am doomed.

Haha, it can get a little messy. I like to coil my line and use the toggle bungees to keep it bundled when not in use. When ready to deploy, instant with the buoy, and send the line out first, then when I only have a few feet of line left I lower the hoop a little, keeping it straight. Once I feel good about how it will sink, I let it go.

When retrieving, I grab the buoy, and pull the line straight up, tossing it to the other side of my kayak, across my lap. That way, I don't have line getting tangled up on deck, and after I collect the crabs in my trap, it's ready to send back down.

As someone else mentioned, I also only use the small buoys for hoops - the big ones are only required for traps. The small buoys help keep everything flat when I have it all stacked up. Also, I P-touch labeled all my stuff. So far so good, I've got at least 15 trips on some of those, and zero signs of fading or peeling.

There are four different sizes of ambush traps and I use the smallest size. I currently run 4 traps but I’m thinking about adding another one for the upcoming season. When the trap is on the bottom I attach a fishing weight on a key ring to sink the extra rope. I tie two egg floats together with a loop. The space between them gives me something to wrap the rope around. I use carabiners to attach the line to the trap and to add extensions. I used to use flat rings but I like the idea that the crabs can’t get away as easily and it’s easier to keep them in the trap as I sort through them on my kayak.

thanks,  speed reading regulations now.

my rookie thinking was Trap=hoop nets.

A "trap" is completely enclosed. Flat hoop nets, or conical are open and not considered a trap.

I fish a mix of flat hoops and conical up to 4 of each. I find the conical hold crab better, but take longer to load. Flat hoops load super fast (15 mins) but also empty out fast. I use the flats to prospect areas while my conicals are loading. I use the inflatable outriggers for crabbing which is how I carry so much gear.

Good luck and have fun!

Interesting.... don't suppose you have a pic of your outrigger setup (or maybe just a link if it's a standard store-bought thing). I'm pretty happy with my usual 3-conical routine but there's times I wish I had more room for storage and the added stability of an outrigger when hauling up gear heh