Crabbing Etiquette

[dai phan]

Greetings to fellow crabbers,

Last time I went crabbing, I brought 4 traps and since I was among the early birds, the entire pier had very few people on it. Therefore I placed my rings about 15 feet apart and at least 7 feet or more from a nearby angler. As day went by, more people showed up and one guy came to me and told me to remove my lines except to where I crab because "it is getting my way". So I only ended up with two. Now, I wonder if I have a "right of way" because I got to the pier before him? Of course I always consider other people so I don't put my lines all over the place. So is it appropriate to place a few lines say within 50 feet from where you crab or should I just keep it "locally"? Thanks. DP

[Mookie]

IMO if you get there first you have a right to do what you did.  I don't think a guy can show up after you and demand that you move your gear.
I wouldn't be able to tell a guy that his 1,000 ft trotline is too long because I show up after him and want to crab that particular area.
just my opinion.

[Dreampixels]

DP I would think it to be your call. I do not think there are any laws saying you needed to move your gear - however there are other things to consider - what is it worth to you not to move you gear - the other person can do as they please with you or your gear which then puts you in a situation to do something about it.

Yes the Testosterone would begin to get flowing and an escalation of the situation would certainly be possible - what price do you wish to pay for those crabs?

I think you did the right thing - from what you have posted

Dp.....  

[Ronster]

Meh.    Four traps over a 60 linear foot area hardly seems like you're hogging the pier.   He could have worked around you.

[TAXI CRAB]

Open a cold beer give him a warm smile and tell him to deal with it usually works for me

[crewstation]

Meh.    Four traps over a 60 linear foot area hardly seems like you're hogging the pier.   He could have worked around you.

Especially when it would only be 45 feet (plus the width of a ring).   

[crabby_jake]

DP, I think you did the right thing.  I have had some pretty ugly experiences with crabbing bullies.  Last year I set four traps for a small bridge such that I only had about 4 feet between the traps.  Some guy comes a few hours after I arrive and puts rings between all my traps.  There was plenty of room to crab from the bank but he didn't want do that.  I kept getting his rings tangled in my traps until I finally moved.  He was happy he forced me out.  Now I just move when I see this guy coming since he just ruins the experience for me.  I wish all crabber had etiquette but the few that don't really give us a bad name. 

[dai phan]

DP, I think you did the right thing.  I have had some pretty ugly experiences with crabbing bullies.  Last year I set four traps for a small bridge such that I only had about 4 feet between the traps.  Some guy comes a few hours after I arrive and puts rings between all my traps.  There was plenty of room to crab from the bank but he didn't want do that.  I kept getting his rings tangled in my traps until I finally moved.  He was happy he forced me out.  Now I just move when I see this guy coming since he just ruins the experience for me.  I wish all crabber had etiquette but the few that don't really give us a bad name.  

This person was fishing for flounder so he did not want to get his path disturbed as he walks up and down the pier. Next time I will contact pier officials cause I am not going to move just because he wants to have his way now I think about it. What's the point of me showing up early to get  good spots and forced to move? Next time I will give him a good tip in getting good flounders and that is the direction to the nearest seafood store! DP

[Ronster]

This person was fishing for flounder so he did not want to get his path disturbed as he walks up and down the pier.

Then he needs to find a pier that isn't public.   

[Mookie]

Then he needs to find a pier that isn't public.   

I second that!
if the guy knew how to fish for Flonder he should be jigging his line up and down vertically near the pilings anyway.
some people just want to be bullies.

[BMOREBILL3]

This is the very reason I bought a boat last year. I use to go crabbing with my dad as a kid on bridges and piers all the time and space the traps out about 8 ft. Well we did that 2 yrs ago on the old Severn river Bridge and he got there earlier then everyone else. 3 hrs later people start showing up and they start putting 3 line in between each one of mine. So thats a trap every 2 feet so you expect they would get tangled and they even started to pull mine up. What a nightmare, so I hit the savings account and bought a starter boat and have been learning to crab from a boat ever since. Its a big difference and I hope to get it down. Oh and lastly most of you guys have been great with providing answers and ideas for new boaters/crabbers,Thanks

Bill

[Mikie]

I don't have a dog in this fight, so I don't want anybody to go off, BUT - what if I get to the pier first and I have a commercial license and I proceed to place a trap every 5' for the whole length of the pier. Should the authorities come and close down the pier for everyone else because I was there first and took up more space then maybe I should have? Or because it's a PUBLIC pier everyone has an equal opportunity to use it and maybe I should take up less space or put up with the crowding around my stuff. There are usually at least two points of view for every scenario. Not saying that the OP was taking up too much space or taking sides, just posing a question.

[wag]

 
     I don't crab from piers but ----> You can try space baited lines 8' apart with
     fake lines 2' apart with no bait between them to cover the area leaving no room
     for intruders.  Also use colored hi visibility line to make sure they are seen by
     others.      Just an idea. 

[on the hook]

I agree with most, however....you, going to a public pier are expecting this??? I would.......Get there early, like you did...spread my traps on ALL the pier...find where the crabs are and as people come, move my traps to about 8-10 feet apart is reasonable....4 traps only cover 30 feet then...like stated, you don't really want a hassle, and you can get valuable info from some other crabbers...

 However, he was fishing???....though chit then...Fellow crabbers get a helping hand, but not a fisherman coming late to a public pier....He should be able to fish just fine....if he needs a hand netting, tangle etc, help him, just for good relations....IMO

[MikeyCrabs]

Tell him to take a long walk off a short pier!!!

[Mr. Ray III]

I don't have a dog in this fight, so I don't want anybody to go off, BUT - what if I get to the pier first and I have a commercial license and I proceed to place a trap every 5' for the whole length of the pier. Should the authorities come and close down the pier for everyone else because I was there first and took up more space then maybe I should have? Or because it's a PUBLIC pier everyone has an equal opportunity to use it and maybe I should take up less space or put up with the crowding around my stuff. There are usually at least two points of view for every scenario. Not saying that the OP was taking up too much space or taking sides, just posing a question.

Better question: Are you allowed to commercially crab off a public pier?  I know some places have signs that say no commercial activity permitted.

[flounderpounder]

Better question: Are you allowed to commercially crab off a public pier?  I know some places have signs that say no commercial activity permitted.

I know a bunch of launch ramps like that as well 

[Mikie]

Better question: Are you allowed to commercially crab off a public pier?  I know some places have signs that say no commercial activity permitted.

It was a theoretical question to make a point about how much space should any one individual be able to tie up on a public facility.

[KALknowsRAE]

DP I would think it to be your call. I do not think there are any laws saying you needed to move your gear - however there are other things to consider - what is it worth to you not to move you gear - the other person can do as they please with you or your gear which then puts you in a situation to do something about it.

Yes the Testosterone would begin to get flowing and an escalation of the situation would certainly be possible - what price do you wish to pay for those crabs?

I think you did the right thing - from what you have posted

Dp.....  

I agree. One has to look no further than the George Zimmerman/Travon Martin tragedy.

[Mr. Ray III]

It was a theoretical question to make a point about how much space should any one individual be able to tie up on a public facility.

I wasn't trying to be smart, I was seriously asking. 

[crewstation]

I wasn't trying to be smart, I was seriously asking. 

Probably falls under the category of running a trot line in NJ.  At 150' max, why on earth would you want to? 

[rapp414]

Crabbing Ettiquite is an oxymoron in my book

[saltysenior]

I second that!
if the guy knew how to fish for Flonder he should be jigging his line up and down vertically near the pilings anyway.
some people just want to be bullies.

 the method to catch ''flonder'' in the south,is to walk slowly up and down the pier while jiggin' or pullin' a live bait......if the pier is noted for flounder, and the fish are biting , a crab trap [or traps] usually gets a dirty look [or worst] 

[adam22]

When I go to piers, I try to spread them out, maybe 5 or 6 total. However, I will not put any right next to someone else's gear nor will I throw out 15 lines when everyone else is only using a third of that. With that said, I've had people come up and double my lines up with gear on both sides, which is in poor taste imo.

[kcinnick]

When I am on a pier, I OC.  I never have a problem with people trying to crowd me out.  I had a had the cops called on me a couple times, but I give them a business card and talk shop and they always say have a nice day.  One time a cop asked if I planned on shooting a gator, I told him only if he stole a crab and he laughed and walked off, gators are a problem when crabbing in Laplace, they like chicken necks just as much as the crabs. I prefer to run a trout line from the surf though, it isn't always that easy to find the time to do it though, a quick 45 minute trip to Laplace can net a few dozen crabs to hold off until I can get a real trip in.