Confusion on VA regs - # of traps...

[SEAG]

Hello all - I have been reading on the site and I think I might have been giving bad info about the regs.  I was told that you could have as many of the pull-up type traps wit the doors that close when you lift them - Foxy brand.  I was told that you could only have 2 of type where the crabs crawl in and cannot get out.  Also you don't need an additional license for recreational.  But after reading the site and all the leagal-ease on the VA marine commission site...that is not the case?  If you need a license, can you get one that covers the boat like the saltwater one?
Thanks for any direction,
Sean

[CRABGUY]

CURRENTLY THE STATE CODE, (NOT THE VMRC SITE) DOES NOT SEE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEN, POTS AND TRAPS
YOU MAY HAVE 2 POTS OR TRAPS PER PERSON WITHOUT ANY LICENSE,

YOU CAN BUY A 5 POT LICENSE  (CANT TOUCH THEM ON SUNDAY)

NO LICENSE IS REQUIRED TO HANDLINE/ DIPNET


I HOPE THIS HELPS
THERES A GUY HERE NAMED TOM POWERS HE IS REALLY UP ON THE VA REGS
SHOOT HIM A B-MAIL  IM SUER HE CAN HELP

CG

[SEAG]

Thanks for the help!  5 pots seems hardly worth burning the fuel to get off the ramp!!  I assume that is the $29 license...definately not what I was tiold so thanks for the clarity.  I will go up to Chesapeake bait and tackle and get a license. 
By the way, where do you get your chick necks down here.  In Baltimore, you could get them at a greocery store...not here it seems.
Thanks again.

[CRABGUY]

IM A BUNKER MAN!!
CHESAPEAKE BAIT AND TACKLE JUST MOVED TO 309 S BATTLEFIELD,
THATS WHO I BUY THE BUNKER FROM 10 BUCKS A FLAT
 IM IN GREAT BRIDGE NEAR FENTRESS,
TRY CENTERVILLE MEATPACKING , OR SOUTHERN MEAT PACKING

[SEAG]

What is a bunker?
Yea, I know, he is in the old paint store now. Closer to me than before. I live in Hickory - Head of River Road, about 1/2 mile from the VB line

[CRABGUY]

WE ARE CLOSE THEN
BUNKER IS MENHADEN, BIG ONES 8-12 "
BEST POT BAIT THERE IS

IF YOUR CRABBIN THE INTERCOASTAL NECKS DONT WORK ALL THAT WELL
TRIED THEM ON MANY A TROTLINE, HANDLINES AND DRUMSTICK WORK THE BEST

[jack1747]

Here is an article from the Virginia Polit newspaper:

BOB HUTCHINSON

THE RULES

Recreational crabbers are limited to keeping one bushel per day.

Hard crabs must measure at least five inches from point-to-point

across the top shell.

Pregnant female (sook) crabs are legal if they have a yellow or

orange egg cluster; however, if the egg cluster is brown or brown-black,

they are illegal.

Each full bushel of crabs may contain a tolerance (not an allowance)

of 10 females with brown or brown-black egg clusters.

Each unlicensed (recreational) person is limited to two pots or

traps, although you may have two for each member of your immediate

family accompanying you.

You may purchase an annual $29 recreational crab-pot license and use

as many as five pots per license. The limit is still one bushel per day.

Sunday crabbing is illegal if you hold the above license. It is not

if you are unlicensed.

A crab pot or trap may be the collapsible kind you buy at a tackle

shop, hardware store or other retail outlet, or it may be identical to

those 2-foot-square wire pots, employing crab-pot floats, used by

commercial crabbers.
Conventional wire pots must contain two ``cull'' or escape rings, one

in the top section, one in the lower, measuring at least 2 5/16 inches

in diameter.

There is no limit on the number of twine or string baits an

individual may use.

Recreational crabbers may not crab from private property without the

landowner's permission.

[SEAG]

That is pretty much what is on the VMRC's site. 
I called Chesapeake bait and tackle on the issue - already stated that I had a dozen foxy mate traps(so they knew they I was not buying traps) and they told me that if you are a 'mom and pop' crabber, you could have as may of those style traps as you want.  The pots were another story.  I told them what I read on the VMRC's site and they said that was for the commercial guys.  I asked if any of their regulars had any issues and they said never. 

Chesapeake Bait and Tackle is listed on the VMRC's site as a Licensed Agent so I would hope they know what they are talking about....
Thanks,
Sean

[CRABGUY]

STEVE IS A GREAT GUY AND A REPUTABLE BUSINESS MAN
HE IS ALSO A LONG TIME CRABBER

[bemdur]

That is pretty much what is on the VMRC's site. 
I called Chesapeake bait and tackle on the issue - already stated that I had a dozen foxy mate traps(so they knew they I was not buying traps) and they told me that if you are a 'mom and pop' crabber, you could have as may of those style traps as you want.  The pots were another story.  I told them what I read on the VMRC's site and they said that was for the commercial guys.  I asked if any of their regulars had any issues and they said never. 

Chesapeake Bait and Tackle is listed on the VMRC's site as a Licensed Agent so I would hope they know what they are talking about....
Thanks,
Sean

I got this confirmed today via email:

See below in reference to your question.

>>> Warner Rhodes 7/3/2007 8:40:34 AM >>>
Todd,
These are considered recreational devices. This device falls in the same category as hand lines. They must abide by the size and bushel limit.
Warner

>>> Todd Sperling 07/02/07 11:10AM >>>
Warner, can you answer this?

>>> < BEmdur@aol.com > 7/1/2007 9:45:54 AM >>>

web.info@mrc.virginia.gov
EXEMPTIONS - The following activities are exempt from the licensing requirements:
1. Taking by dip net, hand line, or two crab pots as much as one bushel of hard crabs and two dozen peeler crabs in any one day for personal use aboard any vessel. If crabbing occurs from shore (crabs are not possessed on a vessel) the possession limit is one bushel and two dozen peeler crabs per person per day.

I would like to use 12", open top traps that use string to pull the four sides up. Are these considered hand lined dip nets for the purpose of the above exemption?

Thank you,

Bruce Emdur
bemdur@aol.com



See what's free at AOL.com.

[bemdur]

Now I can use a little help. I will be vacationing at 13th st. In VA beach next week. My wife is not crazy about the boat but loves crabs. So I need to be successful to get her interested. Where can I do well in the inlet just to the south or near the park to the north or any other area?

Also if anyone has a dock I can use for the week we can share the bounty.
If anyone has a parking spot for the trailer and boat I will repay in bounty also.

Bruce

[jack1747]

I got this confirmed today via email:

See below in reference to your question.

>>> Warner Rhodes 7/3/2007 8:40:34 AM >>>
Todd,
These are considered recreational devices. This device falls in the same category as hand lines. They must abide by the size and bushel limit.
Warner

>>> Todd Sperling 07/02/07 11:10AM >>>
Warner, can you answer this?

>>> < BEmdur@aol.com > 7/1/2007 9:45:54 AM >>>

web.info@mrc.virginia.gov
EXEMPTIONS - The following activities are exempt from the licensing requirements:
1. Taking by dip net, hand line, or two crab pots as much as one bushel of hard crabs and two dozen peeler crabs in any one day for personal use aboard any vessel. If crabbing occurs from shore (crabs are not possessed on a vessel) the possession limit is one bushel and two dozen peeler crabs per person per day.

I would like to use 12", open top traps that use string to pull the four sides up. Are these considered hand lined dip nets for the purpose of the above exemption?

Thank you,

Bruce Emdur
bemdur@aol.com



See what's free at AOL.com.

VERY COOL! After all these years somebody got them to put it in writting! Great Job! 

[CRABGUY]

JACK TRAVELSTEAD SAID DIFFERENT???
AS WITH ANYTHING UP THERE  (VMRC) YOU ASK 3 PEOPLE YA GET 3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS

[jack1747]

Travelstead is Chief Deputy Commissioner.

Rhodes is Deputy Chief Law Enforcement Div.

I sent Tom P. a bmail asking him to view this post. 

I think we might need the VA Supreme Court to get involved. 

[CRABGUY]

I SENT TOM A MAIL AS WELL

[bemdur]

VERY COOL! After all these years somebody got them to put it in writting! Great Job! 

Well us Jersey boys dig deep, that is why they never found Hoffa I presume. You are welcome.

Now,
1.  where can I buy cull rings in VA BEach area to make my Jersey pots VA legal?
2.  Also, where can my wife and I find some large VA crabs in and round VA Beach?
3.  Who has a dock or parking spot to host a member's 18' boat/trailer for next week? Thank you
Bruce

[bemdur]

In all fairness, I believe I read on another thread that crabguy also got a written response back in March when was still concerned about the weekly snowboarding trips affects on my senior bones.

[Tom Powers]

I talked to Jack and sent an email to both of them.  In the end what really needs to happen is that they need to define a crab trap and crab pot in law so that the matter can be clearly regulated.  We will see what happens.

Tom

[bemdur]

IF they do define it it will probably wind up being:

crab pot; a metal device used to catch crabs

Speed trap: A metal electronic device used to catch VA vacationers heading to the water and charging them with the new $3000 tickets.

Crab trap: a metal device used to catch VA vacationers once they arrive at the water and fining them on top of the $3000 fine they got heading to the water.

Crab: bait used to catch vacationers.

All kidding aside, it looks like the new fines only apply to VA residents.

[jack1747]

I talked to Jack and sent an email to both of them.  In the end what really needs to happen is that they need to define a crab trap and crab pot in law so that the matter can be clearly regulated.  We will see what happens.

Tom

Thanks Tom..

[CRABGUY]

I talked to Jack and sent an email to both of them.  In the end what really needs to happen is that they need to define a crab trap and crab pot in law so that the matter can be clearly regulated.  We will see what happens.

Tom

AS ALWAYS , THANKS BROTHER!!!!!!!

[SEAG]

Hey, if they are anything like the NASD, you never will get a straight answer until they enforce it one time..until then, try to interperate it yourself (then pray you are not the example to be made!)!  Well thanks all...hope to see you all in Pungo!