Marker Buoys

[blacklabde]

Does Maryland have a size requirement on marker buoys for trot lines and traps?  Thanks

Blacklabde

[Geckert]

Commercially YES I am not to sure about recreational though I have seen everything from soda bottles to pot floats I am sure someone will answer your question on here though.

[Islander]

Commercially YES I am not to sure about recreational though I have seen everything from soda bottles to pot floats I am sure someone will answer your question on here though.

As far as I know, Maryland has no size requirement for buoys on traps or trotlines. I wouldn't recommend using soda bottles though because the clear plastic is difficult to see on the water and they are easily lost. I've noticed a lot them being left behind last season.   

[PHILLY JOE]

I found this site. It states that in MD, floats must be same size and color for trot lines.

http://skipjack.net/le_shore/crab/crabbing_extra.htm

[ChrisS]

.....I don't think there is any size limit for commercials either, just the same color and license number on it....not unlike Recs.

[Islander]

Here is a link to the Maryland DNR Rec. crabbing regulations for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/crab/2004recreationalcrabsummary.html

[Seaweed]

I've always heard same size and color for each line.  It would be nice if everyone threw some reflective tape on each buoy.

[ChrisS]

....Hey, I know where mine are. When I come upon someone in the dark, I usually try to hail em on the radio or go right up to them and ask where they're lay is....I then go and find they're cans and M.O.B. them on the chartplotter. Once I do that, I'm clear of them and run my line. I also M.O.B. my cans as well, every morning.

[Seaweed]

....Hey, I know where mine are. When I come upon someone in the dark, I usually try to hail em on the radio or go right up to them and ask where they're lay is....I then go and find they're cans and M.O.B. them on the chartplotter. Once I do that, I'm clear of them and run my line. I also M.O.B. my cans as well, every morning.

I'm lower tech than all that, but I also try to ask where everybody else is first.   I always run the length of my lays first top make sure I'm all clear.... and then the chicken neck attack is deployed!

[ChrisS]

......once you start putting some money in your pocket, a GPS is a must. Fairly cheap, as soon as I drop the end, I go right back and run it with no trouble at all finding my cans.

[Seaweed]

......once you start putting some money in your pocket, a GPS is a must. Fairly cheap, as soon as I drop the end, I go right back and run it with no trouble at all finding my cans.

That will probably be an addition at some point.  I can find myh own cans, its everyone elses lays that can be tricky, espexcuially those that lay first and ask questionsd later

[Geckert]

RADIO? What a novel idea i went backwards since I can usually see someone else where I work I went with the gps first. I however have a no-tell and whenI have a signal its great. I will swear by my gps though never have to wonder if its the same spot you set yesterday or is there enough space for me to get the whole line out. As far as bouys go for commercial it is same color and size with lisc id on them.

[Black Irish]

Quote from COMAR:

6. A trotline shall have a float of the same color, size, and shape attached to each end.

7. Floats that have a round or spherical shape shall be at least 12 inches in diameter.

8. Floats that do not have a round or spherical shape shall be at least 10 inches in width and 12 inches in length.

[F.I.sherman]

i talked to dnr about this.
they must be the same size,color,and shape and have your name on them.
the reason being is to tell others where your line begins,and where it ends.it also helps dnr police know who is running the buoys incase of a few things,like putting your equipment in too eary,or making sure your line isnt over 1200 feet,or if you have an accident they know who you are and the area to look for you and such.

[CrabDog]

I know that trotline rules listed are right, most using traps use whatever.  I was going to also say that even if using traps you must have your name or license number on all floats period.  Easier for the man to count 30 traps or know who may have dropped rigs early etc.  I do use all the same float size
they are buoys cut into slices like a donut.  Either orange or yellow to denote 2 door or 4 door traps and each with my last name on them.  That should keep ya legal.  All too many times people use a hodge podge of floats and it is hard to see some.  Clear bottles like Islander stated are impossible to see
and I have even seen some trappers use black floats which is also about as bad.  I know I would be pissed running one over and wrapping a prop because someone can't use a bright float .

.........Cdog

[CrabDog]

I've always heard same size and color for each line.  It would be nice if everyone threw some reflective tape on each buoy.

Seaweed,
Just for you I am going to do that.  I go get some defraction tape and put some on each of my floats so that when you see my floats in the dark/low light you'll know you're in the right spot ( honey hole)....to crab...

.......Cdog

[F.I.sherman]

if all else fails,and your still not sure call DNR.after all they are the ones who give you the citations.i've been stopped about 10 times in 4 years.
DNR just wanted to see what i caught and shoot the breeze.I guess with a great job like thiers they have the ability to come hang out,and talk fishing.Its actually nice having them around when your out crabbing by yourself.they sometimes key you into spots that they know are good spots just by talking to other crabbers.other times they are like you ,by themselves and just feel like chatting.i dont think i ever ran into one nasty DNR cop yet.I cant say the same for the over-zealous police who love handing out 58 in a 55mph tickets. 

[Islander]

Seaweed,
Just for you I am going to do that. I go get some defraction tape and put some on each of my floats so that when you see my floats in the dark/low light you'll know you're in the right spot ( honey hole)....to crab...

.......Cdog

How well do you think that tape will stay on your floats? 

[Seaweed]

Seaweed,
Just for you I am going to do that.  I go get some defraction tape and put some on each of my floats so that when you see my floats in the dark/low light you'll know you're in the right spot ( honey hole)....to crab...

.......Cdog

Ok thanks,  I will make them easier to mow down, I mean, steer around

Those little trap floats are much harder to see than trotline cans.  especially if they are not in a line

[tattoo]

I tried that tape , it ladted one season, on plastic NON painted bottles.

[CrabDog]

Ok thanks,  I will make them easier to mow down, I mean, steer around

Those little trap floats are much harder to see than trotline cans.  especially if they are not in a line

Hey Weed,

Man my floats are visible unlike a lot I have seen on the water and the are usually set up in a nice water ski slalom pattern incase you bored on the water.  .  My only problem trying to see trotline floats is you might see the one end of the line, but with long lines it is near impossible to see the other end/float that matches 

Seeweed I just wanted you to know where to stop and lay your line so you could catch some nice big crabs for a change too.  But seriously the tape isnt' bad idea,
I have even come across boats floating in the middle of the wye with no lights no flash lights etc.  Had one close call only because I shine my spotlight occasionally
as I run and I was about 25 ft from t-bonig a rental skiff with no lights/ flash light etc sitting in the middle of the wye...then they yelled at me to boot...Gotta love it. 

..........Cdog

[Seaweed]

Hey Weed,

Man my floats are visible unlike a lot I have seen on the water and the are usually set up in a nice water ski slalom pattern incase you bored on the water.  .  My only problem trying to see trotline floats is you might see the one end of the line, but with long lines it is near impossible to see the other end/float that matches 

Seeweed I just wanted you to know where to stop and lay your line so you could catch some nice big crabs for a change too.  But seriously the tape isnt' bad idea,
I have even come across boats floating in the middle of the wye with no lights no flash lights etc.  Had one close call only because I shine my spotlight occasionally
as I run and I was about 25 ft from t-bonig a rental skiff with no lights/ flash light etc sitting in the middle of the wye...then they yelled at me to boot...Gotta love it. 

..........Cdog

Catch some nice big crabs for a change OK, doggy, you got me

No lights is a real problem, and an accident will be their fault, but that won't really matter when you t-bone them at o'dark thirty, and people are in the water.  Some people are stupid I guess.

I had an idea for trotlines that would make it easier for someone else to see which way your line is running.  Of course, you could just go up to the can and see which way the pendant lines are running, but you'll look nosey and somebody might think you're messing with their gear. 

So, what i thought was, attach a small line about 10 feet down the pendant rope leading to the chain, and attach a small orange float to the other end.  The orange float will float up and indicate the direction the line is running relative to the main float can.  Repeat at end end of your trotline.  The problem is that when you pick up your line and run it, you'd have to be careful not to run over the indicator line.  Just a thought.

[Black Irish]

That will probably be an addition at some point.  I can find myh own cans, its everyone elses lays that can be tricky, espexcuially those that lay first and ask questionsd later

You gotta love that. I had one goofball last year heaving traps left and right all along my line. At the end of my next run, I checked and sure enough, I was dragging three of his traps by the floats. Before I put the engine back in gear, I tilted the motor up to release them. Unfortunately for him, the water was too deep there for his lines and the floats went under.

[ChrisS]

......you could also tie a secondary float to the anchor itself in addition to the main. Alot of people do that so they can grab the secondary float to drag the anchor and tighten the line.




            F   F
---------/\---l---------------water
          /  \   l  -lines
         /    \  l
....oo/---- \Anchor---------bottom

[Seaweed]

......you could also tie a secondary float to the anchor itself in addition to the main. Alot of people do that so they can grab the secondary float to drag the anchor and tighten the line.




            F   F
---------/\---l---------------water
          /  \   l  -lines
         /    \  l
....oo/---- \Anchor---------bottom

Yeah, something like that.  Nice picture