I thought this may be useful. P.S. some of the images were taken from a search on the internet.
How To Make A Trotline
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/trot1.gifMaterials:
Anchor system
1) 2 15-20 lb lead anchors ( can use mushroom, brake drums, concrete
block, pig iron etc. )
2) 4 25 segments of line ( can use 3 strand, locktight, or my preferred line is double braided
poly rope because it is cheap, floats, and minimizes tangles. )
3) 6 stainless spring clips ( can use size 4 brass clips or Stainless)
4) 2 1foot diameter floats ( can use large tide bottles, red floats, or any flotation device 1x1 or
larger. Both floats must be the same color, shape, and size.)
5) 2 2 lengths of large chain ( zinc plated or SS)
6) 2 round rings SS (or brass)
7) 2 1.5 lengths of 3 strand rope
Anchors
Anchor line
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/double_braided_rope_polyester_rope_pp_rope.jpgChain
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random274.jpgStainless Steel Rings
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random280.jpgFloats
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/Item64.jpghttp://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/Floatjpg.jpgClips
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random278.jpghttp://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/snaps2.jpghttp://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/ITem58.jpgTrot line
1) 1,200 locktight #5 ( can use 3 strand, tarred, or other diameter locktight)
2) 500 roll of 5/32 bungee cord
3) 6.5 feet of fuel line 3/16 (048643-02595-0)
4) 4 stainless steel spring clips ( can use brass)
5) Snood tool (
www.crabbingear.com )
Trotline Locktight
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random286.jpgBungee Cord
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random255.jpgStainless Spring Clip
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random278.jpgSnood tool
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random265.jpgHow to Assemble the Trotline
1) Make the snoods
2) Place the snoods on the line/ attach clips
3) Make anchor/chain/buoy setup
4) Baiting and Storing the line
How to make an Improved Snood
1) Cut a 12 length of bungee cord
2) Slide snubber onto cut length of cord
3) Tie a knot at one end
4) Tie another knot 1/2 inch from first knot
5) Tie a 3rd knot to keep the snubber close to the second knot
6) Using the snubber tool inserted from the small tag end pull the bungee back through the snubber making a loop
7) Tie a knot at the end of the long tag end
Tips: A) cut all snubber pieces first to an approx length of Ό inch
B) Cut all bungee pieces at the same time preferably with an electric cutter to sear the ends, but this is not necessary
C) When making the snoods you may want to wrap the thumb and index finger ( the hand youre not using the snubber tool with) with a little paper towel and electrical or duct tape. (Helps with blisters)
D) For a 1200 line you will need 300 snoods if spaced every 4
Step 1:
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Step 2:
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Step 3:
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Step 4:
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Step 5:
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Step 6:
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Step 7:
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Step 8:
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Step 9:
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Step 10:
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Taped fingers to reduce blisters:
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random273.jpg[/img]
How to Place the Clips and Snoods onto the Trotline
1) Attach a Stainless clip to the beginning of the trotline using a bowline knot locking in with a overhand or square knot
2) Measure 4 feet and attach first snood using a slip knot
3) Measure 4 and attach another snood using a slip Knot
4) Repeat
5) When the end is reached attach another Stainless clip the same as the first
Tip: To make a slip knot hold the trotline in your left hand with your palm up and rotate your wrist toward you so that your palm is now down creating a loop in the line. Using your fingers grab the front part of the line and pull it through the loop from the bottom to the top creating a space to insert a chicken neck or in this case a snood. Pull the line tight from both ends thereby locking in the snood.
Note: I do this left handed.
Step 1:
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Step 2:
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Step 3:
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Step 4:
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]
Setup to make unraveling easier:
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random295.jpg[/img]
Making the anchor/buoy/ chain setup
1) Cut the poly rope into 4 25 segments
2) Tie a clip onto both ends of two of the segments
3) Tie a clip onto one end of the other two segments
4) Tie the chain onto the other end of the single clip segments
5) Splice a 1.5 foot segment of three strand rope onto the buoy/float and include the solid ring
Chain onto segment
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random275.jpg[/img]
Clip and Rope
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/random276.jpg[/img]
Ring and buoy splice
Anchor
Notes: When tying the clips and chain to the poly rope segments I use an overhand knot and an overhand knot to lock in the first knot and then melt the tag end.
I use 25 of anchor line so that in the fall I still have plenty of line to crab in deeper water. If you are in shallow water simply run the line through the ring and clip both clips to the anchor, thereby halving the anchor line length. You could also run the line back up to the ring making the line even shorter.
Prop Stick
This can be made a variety of ways but bottom line you want to design a hook that extends from the side of your boat. Typically the prop-stick is placed on the starboard side. It can be made from PVC, metal, wood, or just about any sturdy material. If you are using snoods then it may help to use a mud-flap at the bottom of the U so the snood does not wrap around. PVC is a very common and very good choice but be aware that eventually the line will cut grooves into the pipe and will lead to the line getting caught and or the pipe will break. When placing the prop-stick aim for the bottom of the U to travel approximately 6-12 inches from the water. Some commercial crabbers utilize a auto dipper/ prop-stick combination negating the need to dip but this is often cost prohibitive for the recreational crabber and takes away some of the fun of crabbing.
Prop-stick examples:
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/img4212z.jpg[/img]
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/DSCF0252.jpg[/img]
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/trotline-roller.jpg[/img]
Auto Dipper
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/IMG00053-20100522-1909.jpg[/img]
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/IMG00054-20100522-1912.jpg[/img]
