traps or trotline, and why?

[klee]

I'm getting the plan together for next year - boat, equipment, etc. After spending the summer on piers, I can't take it anymore.    Gotta get in the water. 

I see some of you run trotlines, some uses traps. A couple questions......

If you use traps, how many do you use (I think 30 is the limit), and how far apart?
What do you bait your traps with? Are bull lips too small to use in traps?

Where's your favorite bait and tackle shop with the best crabbing supplies?

Anyone been out lately near north beach or chesapeake beach?

[mrscharms]

Well, from my experience, trotlining takes a LOT of skill.  You can do a search on the site for trotlining and you will learn a lot!

Baiting traps is easy, but also takes some skill when you have to ride your boat right next to each and every float, and that seldom happens..for me, anyway!  I have not had a trap in my propeller in a long time, but it is always a concern.

I would go with chicken.  I have tried all the different baits suggested here.  Chicken is cheap and it's easy..no mesh bags to contend with when using clams...been there and done that...just not worth it. 

Good luck.

Janice

[Dreampixels]

Good advice Janice.

[CaptMoose]

Klee, welcome to the BCA.  How good are you at running a boat?  I would say if you are a decent boathandler trotlining is not hard at all.  I find that the physical effort is less than using traps.  Here's what I do:

1) Select a suitable spot which is long enough to accomodate your line (up to 1200' in MD)
2) Rig the anchor, control line, bouy, chain and trotline
3) Set one anchor, toss over the bouy and begin backing down toward where your other end will be (with my skiff, I prefer setting over the bow)
4) From time to time, hold the line & pull the slack out of it
5) Watch for tangles as my snoodline pays out from the tub
6) When you reach the end of your trotline, attach the other chain, control line, bouy, and anchor
7) Hold onto the anchor as long as you can while backing down so it pulls the line pretty tight & let go when you can't hold it any more
Set your prop stick and start running the line & dipping crabs!

The down side compared to traps: it takes longer to bait is best done the day before.  It takes longer to unbait if you use snoods.   You will probably have to make a custom prop stick since your boat and set up/personal preferences are different than others.  Most use PVC, some use aluminum.  There are tons of ideas with pics here on the board. 

My experience is that once I made the leap and got all the gear set up, the reward was well worth it.  With that said, in the early and late parts of the crab season the crabs are deeper and a trotline is ineffective.  You will need traps if you plan on going during those times.  We are approaching that time in Fall when it is traps only.

Either way, there are members here that sell traps & trotlines or if you are handy you can find all the info you need by doing a search to make your own (traps & trotline).  I made my own topless traps first then after another season made my own snoodline.  (I also sell snoodlines, plain snoods, and this winter I will be making and selling topless traps).

Good luck & hope you have a good time with it!

[klee]

Thanks for the great advice. Right now, I know essentially nothing about boating, and I'll be taking a class to ensure that I can be safe, above all else. So I'd assume that I'm no good at running a boat. What kind of boat would you recommend for a beginner? I don't want to go out and buy the wrong setup.

I've learned tons from you all on the board, and from watching crabbers at the docks, unpacking their trotline setup. CaptMoose, I have a couple questions for you.

1) How much slack is between the anchor and buoy, and from the buoy to the weight/chain? Does it need to be tight, or does it matter?

2)How heavy does the anchor need to be?

3)How far apart do you have your snoods? I've heard all kinds of things.

I'd like to try to make my own stuff, if it's feasible. I'll search the forum and the web for more info about that. Thanks again!

[crabbingcraigy]

I WOULD SAY GET A SMALL BOAT and a small outboard engine. Start out with traps first 20 plus. Trotline can be a hard thing to do if you don't know what you are doing. I've taught a few people how to do it its not easy to learn.

[tattoo]

I WOULD SAY GET A SMALL BOAT and a small outboard engine. Start out with traps first 20 plus. Trotline can be a hard thing to do if you don't know what you are doing. I've taught a few people how to do it its not easy to learn.

I agree. 

[CaptMoose]

Thanks for the great advice. Right now, I know essentially nothing about boating, and I'll be taking a class to ensure that I can be safe, above all else. So I'd assume that I'm no good at running a boat. What kind of boat would you recommend for a beginner? I don't want to go out and buy the wrong setup.

I've learned tons from you all on the board, and from watching crabbers at the docks, unpacking their trotline setup. CaptMoose, I have a couple questions for you.

1) How much slack is between the anchor and buoy, and from the buoy to the weight/chain? Does it need to be tight, or does it matter?

2)How heavy does the anchor need to be?

3)How far apart do you have your snoods? I've heard all kinds of things.

I'd like to try to make my own stuff, if it's feasible. I'll search the forum and the web for more info about that. Thanks again!

Since you are just starting out, I recommend going with traps.  Get as many as you can afford, you can always add more each year.  You don't need to start with 30. 

Boat: something small & manageable.  The wider the better for stability.  12-14' is ok for two people & gear but will probably be a bit cramped.  15-16' is better for 2-3 people and manageable to launch & retrieve on the trailer by yourself with practice.

As for the line- my control line is one piece 50' with a loop in the middle with a snap clip for the buoy.  That makes 25' from anchor to buoy & buoy to chain.  My anchors are 20 lb plastic coated river anchors (like mushrooms with 3 flukes).  My chains are 3/8 x 16" long.  My snoods are 5' apart.  Since everything between the anchors is basically one long line, there is no slack to speak of.  My buoys are 5 gal buckets with lids so I can pull hard on the far end and not submerge the buoy.  If you have slack in the line, you will have problems running it.  As you move forward the trotline would tend to come straight up from the bottom & over the prop stick, or worse you could get a bow in the line where it comes up from behind the prop stick.  You want some decent tension on it so it comes up ahead of the prop stick which is where you want to dip crabs.

[skiff1700]

i use traps and chicken necks it easier for me i am no pro. however with the boat cheaper is not better! that is experience talking, take someone with you with knowledge of outboards and boats if you can not afford a new boat to start, i would say if your crabbing get aluminum or a fiberglass with no wood in it. i spent 4 years buying boats until i finally got a new triumph until then only one was reliable. i chose the triumph skiff because it is made of ropolene which requires almost no maintenance just wash and go i i also went with a 4 stroke just so no more mixing.  i spent a lot of time rowing and being towed its no fun so dont buy anything old and make sure whatever you get you own the boat dont become owned by the boat. just my 2cents and personal experience.

[klee]

Great advice from each of you....I'll be looking for your help next year when I get up and running. I'd love to go out on the water with one of you to learn from a more "seasoned", if not expert, recreational crabber! Thanks!

[skiff1700]

since when does 40 make you seasoned? i prefer mature

[CaptMoose]

Beats "tenderized"!

[CrabmanC27C]

Troting is fun,the only way it was done years ago.Try both if you can. :)dEfinitly start with box traps tho,or chicken baskets