Trotline question???? Update 8/23!!! THANKS!!!!

[JIMMYCRAB]

  I was thinking of rigging a trotline for my son and I to set in addition to my 30 traps. I have most of a spool of #7 loktite (about 850 ft) I bought for trap lines just sitting around doing nothing. Is that too heavy to use with or without snoods? Looks thicker than most of the trotlines I've seen. Doesn't seem like it would be a problem, especially with snoods, but I have to defer to the trotline gurus on this one.  DP, wadda you think?

[Dreampixels]

MHPO is it will work. I am not sure what the scope of your requirements are but I am sure you can catch crabs using that size line. I would think snoods to be of an advantage.

Crabbing is using ingenuity to develop a system which works for your personal priorities. These come by way of economics, forethought, trial, and modifications.

Being the owner of a small craft I chose 1/8 dia line because of its ability to be stowed in a small container. My line baited line (1200 ft) fits into a bushel basket. I can take that basket place it into a garbage bag seal the bag and place it in my freezer. This was an important priority of mine when choosing line size.

Some people think my line is too small, others think it is too large, it works for me because of my personal priorities. In 30 years of using my line I never looked back, because I make it work for me.

Establish your priorities. Does this size line fit into them? If so it will work.

[antman]

 I was thinking of rigging a trotline for my son and I to set in addition to my 30 traps. I have most of a spool of #7 loktite (about 850 ft) I bought for trap lines just sitting around doing nothing. Is that too heavy to use with or without snoods? Looks thicker than most of the trotlines I've seen. Doesn't seem like it would be a problem, especially with snoods, but I have to defer to the trotline gurus on this one.  DP, wadda you think?

I've been using #7 osprey snoodlines for the last few years and like it better than softlay....so yes it will work with a snoodline.

[Mikie]

I've been using #7 for over 25 years, I run a straight line and it works fine.

[flounderpounder]

I use #6..easy on the hands and still can fit 1200' in a bushel basket

[dfran]

I use #6..easy on the hands and still can fit 1200' in a bushel basket

Gotta agree with this.  I use #6 and never had a problem

[antman]

I think his questions have been answered at this point....so I'll expand a little.

For the record....there is a vast difference between types and sizes of lines.  I've used Loctite, Softlay, and Osprey(what I use now).  #8 is what a lot of crab potters use.

I have buddies that use #6 for trotline and swear by it....they are the ones that convinced me to give it(osprey) a try. 

3/16"(#6) was too small for the puller with a lighter break limit than what I would want but, very manageable.......1/4"(#8) is too heavy/coarse for what I need...works great with a puller but, just not very  manageable IMO...

This is why I went with a #7 snoodline.  I've used 1/4" (#8) softlay for years and liked it but for ME the #7 osprey is the ticket...

I say all of this to say that each line is very different according to manufactuer and diameter....things have to "fit" what you need.  The question to start the thread was if a #7 loctite would be ok for a trotline....Absolutely....but, #7 is much different that #6 etc.... 

Keep this in mind next time folks need advice

[JIMMYCRAB]

Thanks to everyone who answered. Much appreciated. I basicly just wanted to set up a line and figured  why spend more $$ if what I already own would work well. Just don't like to do things half arsed to save a couple bucks!!!! I had #8 Marshal  on my traps for about 10 years before it got all knotted up so I changed some of the the lines last year. The crabbing supply place in Bel air didn't have #8 , and I didn't feel like driving to my uncles place so I bought #7 Loktite.  The #6 was too thin and would  hurt my hands. Anyway, it looks like Ill be making a line over the next week and giving it a try. Was reading some old posts about propstick construction, but when I went to Home Depot for PVC, the plumbing section was closed off. Thats Allright. No hurry. The best is yet to come!!!!   Thanks again for the help!!!!

[flounderpounder]

theres alot better solutions for propstick then pvc...search propstick

[JIMMYCRAB]

theres alot better solutions for propstick then pvc...search propstick

Thats how I found the PVC design. I have a 19' Grady White and wanted to build one that would fit in the rod holders. I cant clamp anything to the gunnels and don't want to cut or drill anything. I saw the posts from another guy with a Grady who wanted to do the same thing and the one I saw looked feasible. Not to mention I've been a chef for 25+ years, therefore I'm not the most mechanically inclined person in the world. I'm a wizard with a knife but a small step above useless with a wrench. PVC and epoxy are on my level.

[Dreampixels]

Thats how I found the PVC design. I have a 19' Grady White and wanted to build one that would fit in the rod holders. I cant clamp anything to the gunnels and don't want to cut or drill anything. I saw the posts from another guy with a Grady who wanted to do the same thing and the one I saw looked feasible. Not to mention I've been a chef for 25+ years, therefore I'm not the most mechanically inclined person in the world. I'm a wizard with a knife but a small step above useless with a wrench. PVC and epoxy are on my level.

Use the force Luke (SS screws) easy to make changes or repair breakage

May I order now?

Seriously - use screws

[JIMMYCRAB]

Just wanted to say thanks to all who helped and answered my question. Made my first trip with the new trotline today and I gotta say I'm hooked. That was a blast!!! I built a propstick using PVC and SS screws. nice and sturdy. Thanks DP!!!. I used brake rotors for anchors , and made 2 floats with the orange home depot buckets as suggested in a different post. They were great!! could see them a mile away. Baited about 800' with chicken necks and set in 7' to 9' of water. My son did the dipping and only missed 3 all day. Funny enough the ones he missed were all big black ones. Guess he got nervous. Not bad for the first time. Between the line and the 28 traps we set, we made 5 runs and were rewarded with a bushel of fat Bush river mudders. About a third of them came from the line. Lots of shorts, and whites and a few sooks went back in the river. All said and done a, it was a GREAT TRIP!!! Thanks again to all who helped!!
 Oh, and I ran a straight line with slipknots so unbaiting was  a snap. Litterally. I cleated off the line and hit the gas. All of the necks snapped right off.

[flounderpounder]

great day!!

[Dreampixels]

Jimmy I am a Rec crabber myself. Most of what I can share comes from the experience of trial, error, and advice from others. I would never try to lead anyone astray when answering their questions. Believe me I have a large collection of glue joints, then the light came on I am not the brightest bulb on the tree but I am happy when I can light someones way.

Thank you so much for the honorable mention in your posting. I feel my dimness has just became a wee bit brighter

Again Thank You!