Crab Snagger Does it work?

Do those little 4" box with mono crab snaggers really work and how well?

They do work.  "How well" is another question.  I've seen folks toss the snares out and slowly drag them while waiting for their crab pots to soak, and catch a few with the snare.

I went to the HMB jetties a few weekends ago and tossed a snare near the end that was baited w anchovies and squid.   I couldn't keep the large reds and dungies off the snare.  Since it wasn't Dungy season yet, I kept 3 large reds and tossed back ~8?  It's really a fun way to crab but make sure you get a good snare.  All the commercially made ones are pretty lousy (danielson and the ones in the green box cage).  Look for a snare the closes readily (blue weed wacker line 0.65).

I went to the HMB jetties a few weekends ago and tossed a snare near the end that was baited w anchovies and squid.   I couldn't keep the large reds and dungies off the snare.  Since it wasn't Dungy season yet, I kept 3 large reds and tossed back ~8?  It's really a fun way to crab but make sure you get a good snare.  All the commercially made ones are pretty lousy (danielson and the ones in the green box cage).  Look for a snare the closes readily (blue weed wacker line 0.65).

Can you feel them "bite" or do you just pull up your line from time to time?

Can you feel them "bite" or do you just pull up your line from time to time?
 
 
 

  You can feel them pulling the trap around, you can feel them when you got'em too.

Usually they're used to crab from the shore or a jetty (or a crowded pier like pacifica), from a kayak you're better off with a hoop net, IMO. 

I have had good luck using the flatter ones, (not the cube type).  Put weight in with the bait, cast out, wait 10 minutes or until you feel something, then reel in fast and steady.

I've seen the fellas at Pacifica Pier use 'em. The guys swear by 'em

And like SurfFisher said, the commercial snares are not as good as the custom made ones.

Pictures?

I've used 'em out at Muir and Stinson from the beach with good effect-- nice big surf rod, toss a 6oz weight in the box w/ a bunch o' squid and pitch.

Man, I had no idea you could actually "fish" like that for crab. It does look easy to copy the commercial ones, anyone have any DIY pics or tips?

this one works pretty well

http://www.terrybullard.com/crab_snares.html

I've never caught a legal Dungeness with anything but rings, round pots, and square "pots", but I was bored so here's some pics.   

This is a new one. But, everything seems like it would work. I am going to build one or two and give them a shot. Stay tuned.

Some of the commercially available snares come with 7 loops so if you buy one of those, be sure to cut one loop off - only 6 loops allowed in CA.