Linda Mar Crabs!..... Thur 11/17 report

How about those tiny little snare traps? I saw one at coastside #2

Personally, I think they're worthless from a kayak because of the drift.  Traps work best kept stationary for long soaks so crabs can follow the scent to your bait.

The little snare traps work well with the Pier Fishermen / Pacifica Pier. I also see a lot of guys using them inside the HMB Harbor.

....just tie the baited trap at the end of your surf pole setup and fling it out there. Just make sure you reel it in fast enough - before the sea lions get to it.

Chuck..

Nice Job,  You are the ultra sportsman!!

Hoo-yah!  WTG Chuck!!!!

so chuckE (or mooch),  why can't those little snare traps be weighted down with a 2lb ball or something?

Or maybe one could actually cast from the kayak, maybe down drift, pulling it up as you drift by? sometimes if my lure is a little light, I do this and it works pretty well.

yeah, I realize I'm probably way off base here, but if one could get a few crabs without the whole trap thing, that might be worth it and kind of fun.

I realize this is not going to get one a limit, and maybe the crabs one catches are typically small, but I often only eat one crab at a time.

why can't those little snare traps be weighted down with a 2lb ball or something?

A 2 lb ball is still unlikely to prevent you from drifting.  I'm afraid that the only thing you're going to snare is a rock.

If I really wanted to try using a crab snare from a kayak, I wouldn't even use a rod.  I would just attach the weighted snare to the end of a jug line and let it soak in one spot.

instead of a snare try a pyramid trap there cheep and easy to use and they will catch a couple from the kayak.

pyramid trap? more? any links, etc? how big are these things?

chuck, the rod does seem more trouble than it's worth. obviously your method with the big traps is the best way to reliably catch a limit, I supposed I'm looking for an easy way to get 2 or 3 crabs.  do you think the weighted snare trap with a float line (maybe just use 130lb mono or something for the line) would work?

do you think the weighted snare trap with a float line (maybe just use 130lb mono or something for the line) would work?

Not really...  I just suggested it because it think it would be better than using a crab snare with a rod off a kayak.

instead of a snare try a pyramid trap there cheep and easy to use and they will catch a couple from the kayak.

I agree.

Jmairey,

the pyramid/star crab traps don't work all that well.  a lot of times, they get fouled and all 4 sides don't close.

Here's a pict.
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/2667/cid/765


IMO, Rings would be ok from a stationary object like a pier.  However, even then, a big swell will toss it around and it won't get many, if any crab.

Never used a snare, so I can't comment on those.

IMO, a rectangular trap is probably the best all around device.

Stuart

the pyramid/star crab traps don't work all that well. a lot of times, they get fouled and all 4 sides don't close.

...or they don't open all the way.

IMO, a rectangular trap is probably the best all around device.

Amen to that...

Chuck-Have you been getting any hollow or soft crabs?  I heard up here many are still not "full" yet.

With regards to using the Snare trap on a yak I would have to agree that it wouldn't work.  If you were to use a 2lb ball and you had a crab on it you probably would never get it off the bottom.  When I fish off the pier for crabs I use 6-8 ounces and it is load with even an under crab.  

Also the trick to the snare is to pull quickly and then reel in evenly without losing tension.  A 2lb ball would again be difficult to achieve that result.

Jason

Thanks guys!

Chuck-Have you been getting any hollow or soft crabs?  I heard up here many are still not "full" yet.

Yes, Sean.  I noticed a few things about the shallower water dungies --- the meat is not as full, the shells are thinner, the crabs have more barnacles and missing limbs.

Stu and Freddie have been noticing the differences too.   The quality of crabs coming out of 150 feet and deeper water is much better.