New to Trotline Need Some Advice

[eddieoko]

Hi,
I have been crabbing for 7 years with traps. I have a 22 foot Wellcraft center console and my wife wants me to use a trotline as she used to crab that way in the past. I think I may do better as well.
My boat sits up obviously higher than a good crabbing boat.
I need some advice on how to get started.

I have rod holders on the back side so any advice on what to use for an arm for the line or what to use to make one?
Also should I start with 500 feet or more or less?
Also in MD and DE can I use a trotline and traps and if so what is my limit?

I just crabbed the Wye today and got about a dozen but I am interested in trying to run a line.
Any info is appreciated and if you can recommend someone who sells the gear I would be happy to buy the line and snoods from someone you uys recommend.
I have always enjoyed this site so any info will be helpful.
Thanks,
Eddie 

[Cokie]

Hey Eddie all of the info you asked for is here just use the search bar and it will give you all the answers

[tattoo]

good luck .practice ,practice. practice.

[antman]

Any info is appreciated and if you can recommend someone who sells the gear I would be happy to buy the line and snoods from someone you uys recommend.
I have always enjoyed this site so any info will be helpful.
Thanks,
Eddie 

Never heard anyone say anything but good about Capt. Bruce.....do a search on the board.

Get 1200' unless 600' is all you can use in DE, then get 2 600' lines  

simple PVC into the rod holder will serve your purpose.

[rapp414]

Never heard anyone say anything but good about Capt. Bruce.....do a search on the board.

Get 1200' unless 600' is all you can use in DE, then get 2 600' lines  

simple PVC into the rod holder will serve your purpose.

Delaware is unlimited on trot line length,we ran 2400 this week it was plenty,I'm not sure about traps ,but I know we had 30 out along with our line,once you do the trotline,the pots get to be like work.The 2 mistakes I made when trotlining were not big enough floats and not enough weight on my anchors,it's not rocket science ,but there's a lot to it.Take it from someone who wrapped the line around the propeller more thaan once,lost an entire line,and saw a boat sink on a windy day.Capt moose has some good info on his website,if I had the link i'D GIVE IT TO YOU,JUST GOOGLE CAPT MOOSE

[antman]

http://www.captmoose.com/

[Dreampixels]

I have found running a longer line is easier for me - under 600 ft you are no sooner on the line and running and it is over.

[crewstation]

I have found running a longer line is easier for me - under 600 ft you are no sooner on the line and running and it is over.

You ought to visit NJ where the limit is 150' and 25 necks.  I blinked once and........

[Grizzly36]

Make two 600 ft lines and run one until you get the hang of it.  Then hook them together once you feel comfortable. Other than the Bays you might be limited in spots In Delaware with a 1200 ft line.  Narrow and winding rivers make it hard to lay that much out without running in to curves or mud flats.

[Dreampixels]

You ought to visit NJ where the limit is 150' and 25 necks.  I blinked once and........

I heard and can not even imagine - I believe they set that up for a walking trot line, not one laid by boat.  People would take 2 poles, place them some distance apart and run a line between them - then they would tie handlines to the main line - they would then walk up and down the main line pulling in the handlines.

[crewstation]

And don't my toes look vaguely similar to chicken necks?

[Dreampixels]

And don't my toes look vaguely similar to chicken necks?

Never where open toed shoes into a Chicken House.

[Mr. Ray III]

It aint harder to run 1200' than 600'.....

[Seaweed]

I have a brand new 600' snoodline for sale for $130 plus shipping to DE.  1/4" medium lay.  I will tie the snoods at whatever distance you want.  let me know if you are interested.

[Grizzly36]

It aint harder to run 1200' than 600'.....

I know its not harder to run. Running is the easy part as long as you can control the boat. I was referring to the other stuff that goes along with it.  More line to bait, to tangle, to set, to take in. I'm just giving my opinion and as a 1st timer I'm glad I started small.  Having used a trotline 1 time about ten years ago with a buddy I decided to start small and glad I did. Everyone on my boat was just as inexperianced, We had tangles a few times, line in the prop several times ,snags on the bottom of the river, straightness when setting, and anchor issues just to name a few. I'd rather work the kinks out with 600ft than 1200ft

[rapp414]

I kow its not harder to run. Running is the easy part aslong as you cancontrol the boat. I was referring to the other stuff that goes along with it.  More line to bait, to tangle, to set, to take in. I'm just giving my opinion and as a 1st timer I'm glad i started small.  Having used a trotline 1 time about ten years ago with a buddy I decided to start small and glad I did. Everyone on my boat was just as inexperianced, We had tangles a few times, line in the prop several times ,snags on the bottom of the river, straightness when setting, and anchor issues just to name a few. I'd rather work the kinks out with 600ft than 500 ft

I hear you Grizzly,it sounds so simple,but it's far from it.I had lines too loose,overtightened it with too small of floats and lost whole line when it sank to the bottom,fortunately it was a cheap line,but all totaled it was still a decent amount of money.

[antman]

I hear you Grizzly,it sounds so simple,but it's far from it.I had lines too loose,overtightened it with too small of floats and lost whole line when it sank to the bottom,fortunately it was a cheap line,but all totaled it was still a decent amount of money.

ALWAYS carry a "drag" hook on the boat to get stuff like that back when you lose it.

Buddy of mine was messing around one day on a river we crab with his drag hook and within 45 minutes he in his boat at least 6 lines people had lost.  It's amazing what people lose.