Working a trot line

[30-A rider]

My mother loves crabbing and blue crabs.  So I'm looking to build a trot line to take her out as this will be something new to her and will make her day if I can get this efficient where I can drive and she can just work the net. 

I think I have a good idea to make my own and I'll keep it small...maybe 150-200 yards only.  I have a 24' Carolina skiff DLX.  I saw a video somewhere on here of someone working a trot line.  My question is If I somehow mount a roller and as the baits come up  how does the bait roll over the roller without getting snagged?  I'm just looking for ideas...want to be successful first time around.  I don't understand how if you had lets say chicken necks attached to the trot line once the bait comes out of the water and then it does over the roller how does it not snag a little and drag and pull on the line behind you?  Understand my questions...am I explaining this correctly?


Also any suggestions  on riggin some type of roller and what where to buy something like that?  And finally how to mount it without drilling holes in my boat?

[lreops]

I really don't think that you want to use a roller, as there is a chance that the line will go off of the roller and the bait will snag between the bracket holding the roller and the roller itself. Best thing to do is get some PVC pipe and make a "U" shape that extends off the side of the boat far enough so that you can net the crabs in between the line and the boat. In other words, using "elbows" and "T's" or whatever else needed, piece together PVC pipe that has a way to hook on or around your gunwale, then straight out, and then create the "U" shape for the line to ride over. That way, there is nothing for the bait to get snagged on.

Hope this helps you. Of course, this is just one idea as I'm sure that someone else might have a different idea for you to try.

Good luck.

[crabberjon]

There are quite a few options for a prop stick/roller. Do you have any rod holders? You can make it out of pvc and insert it into the rod holder. You shouldn't have any problems with snags unless your running a snood line. I run straight tie on and mine doesn't snag.
You should get some more ideas from some other guys here good luck!

[Dave H]

I am intersted in finding something like this too.  I have been trotlining before and we have always used s roller that someone in the boat held while another guy scooped.  I was wondering if you could buy something to attach on the boat instead.  I'm not really handy so I don't want to try and build one.

Thanks,

Dave

[Domino]

OK took a minute to track these down...here's stevo's "prop stick" (which is the correct terminolgy BTW)

Stevo's old boat/prop stick...
http://www.bluecrab.info/forum/index.php/topic,14976.msg153695.html#msg153695

[Domino]

OK took a minute to track these down...here's stevo's "prop stick" (which is the correct terminolgy BTW)

My prop stick rig...

[Domino]

My prop stick rig...

Better pics of mine...

http://www.bluecrab.info/forum/index.php/topic,5057.msg90536.html#msg90536

[Dave H]

Thanks Guys!!!  That looks pretty easy to build.  Gotta make a trip to the Home Depot and get some supplies.


Dave