how far apart for topless traps?

[k23john]

I did the search and was looking for how far apart you guys run you're traps from each other and didn't find what I was looking for . Do you run into the wind when picking them up? Thank you in advance for you're help great board here and very informative. I don't post a lot here but read almost everything on the site and have learned a lot about crabbing here Thanks/JOHN

[crabbywaters]

It all depends on how far apart you want them. There's really no right or wrong answer. What ever you feel is easy for you. It kind depends on the size of your boat also. When i crab from a 22 foot boat, we leave them about 3 boat lengths apart. On a 10 foot boat same thing. I leave more space then most guys probably but i don't like to feel rushed when pulling traps.

[CaptMoose]

John, I like to run into the current so the buoys lead toward the boat and the current slows the boat down.  The traps then come up in front of the boat instead of behind and dragging as the boat moves forward.  That will tire out the puller real quick.

As for spacing I like to leave 3 or 4 boat lengths and sometimes much more if I'm prospecting.  I like to have room to maneuver the boat between traps if necessary.  Hope that helps.

[WIMPY]

Second that

[tattoo]

they are right . the farther apart you put them the more area you can cover.

[flounderpounder]

all I know is that they sure do look further apart in the dark......lol   I'd say I TRY to lay mine about 100-150' apart...closer if I hit a " hot" spot

[Mr. Ray III]

Lay them far enough apart that you can pull, empty and drop again while the boat stays in forward. 

[Crab Shack]

 

Lay them far enough apart that you can pull, empty and drop again while the boat stays in forward.  

 

[Skiff]

 Error on the side of too far apart.   I do not care how much room I leave between them  I always end up with some of them on top of each other  Since I crab alot of small creeks in nj  I was thinking about trying my trolling motor just have never try it yet maybe this year
 John  I live  just below you Frankinville   If you want to take a ride one weekend   PM me  I be more than happy to show you how not to do it

[Ronster]

I like to spread them out. 

[CRABGUY]

I COUNT TO 45

[IH8JEEP]

Lay them far enough apart that you can pull, empty and drop again while the boat stays in forward. 

Is there a way to do this in a 16' jon with a tiller running solo? I tried but the lines are always to close the motor. I am worried about my motor going into neutral/forward at each trap.

Sorry if I got off topic

[k23john]

Thanks for all the replies think I'm going to use the traps this year and see how it goes and thanks Skiff for the invite might have to take you up on that (oh sorry I mean will ) thanks /JOHN

[Dreampixels]

Is there a way to do this in a 16' jon with a tiller running solo? I tried but the lines are always to close the motor. I am worried about my motor going into neutral/forward at each trap.

Sorry if I got off topic

Slow approach, down wind side of the float, toss the float right back out while pulling up the trap. The float should take line out as you are moving and keep it rather tight and on top of the water - empty - rebait what ever and just drop the trap back into the water.

The only time the line is too close to the motor, is when it is in the motor, everything else is a near miss in Air Traffic Controller Terms.