line vs trap vs pot - bait characteristics

[samiam]

I've been seeing a lot of varying opinions on this forum regarding baits, e.g. big chicken necks vs little chicken necks/pieces. This leads me to wonder how much the characteristics that make a bait the "best" for one crabbing method carry over to other methods. One thing that occurs to me is that in the case of trot and hand lines, and to some extent pull traps, the crabber is depending on the crab not letting the bait go in the retrieval process, but in a Maryland-style trap (pot), once the crab is enticed into the trap, he isn't going anywhere. Wouldn't that put the premium on "attracting" rather than "holding" for the pot, compared to the other methods? Thoughts?

Samiam

[jack1747]

Bunker

[jinocrab88]

Your rite it does vary. Not only  that but if its fresh one not as well fish chicken ect. I think its whatever works out best in that area  :Dto be honest side by side test always gives the results

[Pokers1337]

in a Maryland-style trap (pot), once the crab is enticed into the trap, he isn't going anywhere. Wouldn't that put the premium on "attracting" rather than "holding" for the pot, compared to the other methods? Thoughts?

Samiam

in mass you need a license for those type of traps ($40 in mass). Also takes up A LOT of space, not to mention 3-4x more $$$ than the "star" traps. Takes less "skill" its the fishing version of chunking.

[samiam]

The question wasn't whether or not to use commercial pots. My NJ 501 rec pot license (free or dirt cheap, don't recall) entitles me to run 2, and that I intend to do. The question was whether the ideal bait for a crabbing method that relies on a crab tenaciously holding on when he could let go and escape might differ from the ideal bait for a pot where once lured through the door, no escape is possible. Jack suggested bunker, which makes sense from an attractant POV, but will even whole bunker last 24 hours in a pot?

-Samiam

in mass you need a license for those type of traps ($40 in mass). Also takes up A LOT of space, not to mention 3-4x more $$$ than the "star" traps. Takes less "skill" its the fishing version of chunking.

[jack1747]

The question wasn't whether or not to use commercial pots. My NJ 501 rec pot license (free or dirt cheap, don't recall) entitles me to run 2, and that I intend to do. The question was whether the ideal bait for a crabbing method that relies on a crab tenaciously holding on when he could let go and escape might differ from the ideal bait for a pot where once lured through the door, no escape is possible. Jack suggested bunker, which makes sense from an attractant POV, but will even whole bunker last 24 hours in a pot?-Samiam

Yes.  How long it lasts depends pretty much on water temp.  In the early and late season bunker will last a week or 2.  When the water is warm and all the critters are on the move it's gone in 2-3 days.

[samiam]

Thanks. NJ requires pots be emptied every 72 hours (at most) so that should work even in Summer. Looks like a trip to Lund's in Cape May is coming. One more question - would you consider double-baiting (gad, sounds almost obscene) with bunker and chicken, or is the bunker "scent" so strong that the chicken likely would have no additional effect?

-Samiam

Yes.  How long it lasts depends pretty much on water temp.  In the early and late season bunker will last a week or 2.  When the water is warm and all the critters are on the move it's gone in 2-3 days.

[jack1747]

Bunker is crack to crabs... Save they chicken for the grill.