Crab Thievery My Thoughts --> Stay Close

This might be an odd question, but is it technically illegal to pull someone else's pot? If you're on a pier or party boat and someone's rod goes off next to you and the rod's owner is nowhere to be seen, and you take the rod and reel in the fish, is that technically illegal?

I'm in no way defending crab thieves but I wonder if it's a difficult law to really enforce. I also haven't crabbed in a few years, so not sure if rules have changed that would make this easier to enforce.

It is currently against the law.

Another idea may be to make your buoy unmistakably your own - like a giant hot pink medicine ball or something.   

I put silver reflective aluminum duct tape on mine so i am pretty certain of my pots.  yet to see anything that looks like mine.

You sure this isn't your Float ben?? LOL. 

This might be an odd question, but is it technically illegal to pull someone else's pot? If you're on a pier or party boat and someone's rod goes off next to you and the rod's owner is nowhere to be seen, and you take the rod and reel in the fish, is that technically illegal?

I'm in no way defending crab thieves but I wonder if it's a difficult law to really enforce. I also haven't crabbed in a few years, so not sure if rules have changed that would make this easier to enforce.

It is currently against the law.

Ah. That answers that. Thanks!

Only real solution I can see is (wait for it....) Go crabbing and hang around your pots. Fish another day... Poaching won't stop... Policing is to expensive. Now watching them go over limit and getting them caught Reporting poachers as harassing seals or hit and run collision at sea on radio to coasties may not be ethical. But it can get them boarded and inspected. Just get that CF# and call it in. Ocean visibility and angle of view could cause the mistaken "appearance" of many things out on the big blue....

I do quite a bit of crabbing though the season with a lot of overnight soaks and have also grown quite frustrated with this problem and seeking some kind of solution. I have tried colorful crazy buoys and left waterproof tags on pots with sayings such as; 'please don't poach' 'poor kayak crabber' and 'rape this crate you must re-bait!' trying to guilt with empathy rather than cuss them out. Nothing seems to help much.

I have been thinking of putting out pots that I can see from shore near the bend in jetty and then camping the night (i have a camper) there on 1 and keeping a watch. The boat has to come in so i would try to film the person coming back in follow to ID vehicle etc. Not sure if DFG could or would even do anything about it but dam I would love to get one of those A-holes busted!

In past years when there has been a slow start I think perhaps people get frustrated, expect others of poaching them and then potentially justify poaching themselves. That said i think there may be some locals with powered small boats in HMB that poach fairly regularly to sell and profit off, these are the people I disdain.

I have occasionally seen guys in kayak and small powered boats go out right at sunset getting dark when I am coming in and wondered WTF? I get you might get off work late but???

It would be nice if they rebated your pots and let them down nicely at least!

I prefer making your bouy look like some floating debris/kelp/etc and be less visible so thieves don’t see it.

How about floats that look like seagulls ?   

I also dislike everyone that is crabbing tomorrow because I am not !!!     

 
  Hate thief's of any kind PERIOD.  I think when a thief is caught, whatever vehicle it used in the act of whatever crime, Beit boat, bike, car, truck scooter owned or borrowed!  whatever gets confiscated by governing law enforcement.  Take away its means of travel, will get expensive short term.  Don't think it'll stop them, but may slow them down a bit.  I imagine some tweeker's girlfriend  loosing her car won't be too happy about it.

I prefer making your bouy look like some floating debris/kelp/etc and be less visible so thieves don’t see it.

How about floats that look like seagulls ?   

I also dislike everyone that is crabbing tomorrow because I am not !!!     

Oh man, like a duck decoy, but a seagull or something!! That is great!

I prefer making your bouy look like some floating debris/kelp/etc and be less visible so thieves don’t see it.

How about floats that look like seagulls ?   

I also dislike everyone that is crabbing tomorrow because I am not !!!     

Oh man, like a duck decoy, but a seagull or something!! That is great!

I think we're on to something here guys. I'm sure they won't think it's weird a single gull is chillin at 3am lol.  Lets get a group buy going.

I prefer making your bouy look like some floating debris/kelp/etc and be less visible so thieves don’t see it.

How about floats that look like seagulls ?   

I also dislike everyone that is crabbing tomorrow because I am not !!!     

Oh man, like a duck decoy, but a seagull or something!! That is great!

I think we're on to something here guys. I'm sure they won't think it's weird a single gull is chillin at 3am lol.  Lets get a group buy going.

Some cheap ass is gonna put out a bunch of mallards that he uses for hunting on the ocean and they are gonna catch on.   

I prefer making your bouy look like some floating debris/kelp/etc and be less visible so thieves don’t see it.

How about floats that look like seagulls ?   

I also dislike everyone that is crabbing tomorrow because I am not !!!     

Oh man, like a duck decoy, but a seagull or something!! That is great!

I think we're on to something here guys. I'm sure they won't think it's weird a single gull is chillin at 3am lol.  Lets get a group buy going.

Some cheap ass is gonna put out a bunch of mallards that he uses for hunting on the ocean and they are gonna catch on.   

Oh gawd. Hahaha we gonna see a bunch of seagull decoys on the water with Go IDs on them. Great thinking. LOL.
I'm not associated with NCKA if anyone ask me. Lol.

I prefer making your bouy look like some floating debris/kelp/etc and be less visible so thieves don’t see it.

How about floats that look like seagulls ?   

I also dislike everyone that is crabbing tomorrow because I am not !!!     

Oh man, like a duck decoy, but a seagull or something!! That is great!

I think we're on to something here guys. I'm sure they won't think it's weird a single gull is chillin at 3am lol.  Lets get a group buy going.

Some cheap ass is gonna put out a bunch of mallards that he uses for hunting on the ocean and they are gonna catch on.   

Oh gawd. Hahaha we gonna see a bunch of seagull decoys on the water with Go IDs on them. Great thinking. LOL.
I'm not associated with NCKA if anyone ask me. Lol.

The Go Id's will be on the bottom. HELLO !   

Dibs on the pelican !

https://www.amazon.com/05273-Floating-Pelican/dp/B0002GV7BI

Only real solution I can see is (wait for it....) Go crabbing and hang around your pots. Fish another day... Poaching won't stop... Policing is to expensive. Now watching them go over limit and getting them caught Reporting poachers as harassing seals or hit and run collision at sea on radio to coasties may not be ethical. But it can get them boarded and inspected. Just get that CF# and call it in. Ocean visibility and angle of view could cause the mistaken "appearance" of many things out on the big blue....

 Viable idea!!!

There is a vinocular now that can take picture. I saw one at west marine for 199. This must be a great addition to our gadgets. Just a thought.

I prefer making your bouy look like some floating debris/kelp/etc and be less visible so thieves don’t see it.

How about floats that look like seagulls ?   

I also dislike everyone that is crabbing tomorrow because I am not !!!     

Oh man, like a duck decoy, but a seagull or something!! That is great!

I think we're on to something here guys. I'm sure they won't think it's weird a single gull is chillin at 3am lol.  Lets get a group buy going.

Some cheap ass is gonna put out a bunch of mallards that he uses for hunting on the ocean and they are gonna catch on.   

Oh gawd. Hahaha we gonna see a bunch of seagull decoys on the water with Go IDs on them. Great thinking. LOL.
I'm not associated with NCKA if anyone ask me. Lol.

You mean you’re gonna want your Nor Cal Kayak Association fees back?  No refunds...and do not collect 200$ when you pass go...