Newbie. Where on earth do I put my traps?

[family14mckee]

So I've been in SW Florida for about 2 years and after buying a little skiff last month, decided to pick up a couple crab pots to use in the Caloosahatchee.  I've got 3 little kids and I thought it'd be fun for them to get out there on the boat and check the traps with me. Only problem is. I have NO IDEA where to put them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.  What do I look for?  Deep? Shallow? Soft bottom? Hard bottom? Docks? Mangroves?  I know almost nothing.

[Skiff]

 Now, I never crab Fl  But if I was to  I would take a small tour of the area first when I see other's crabbers trap floats  I would figure the depth  they were sitting in.     I would find a place to throw one in same depth  than I would also throw in other traps a little deeper and a little shallower,   Thats part of crabbing learning the area  Up here in NJ  I like to crab the top edge of drop offs.  I crab deeper in the fall and shallow in spring.  I always like to crab in front of feeder creek or ditches  But I am always learning     Getting the kids on the water  you win  catching crabs is just a bonus,  When my kids where small  I would use a grass shrimp net and scoop the grass  Catching grass shrimp, small fish/eels. Crabs  throwing all of them in the bucket  Kids would look at each one than throw them back  They loved it 

Best of luck

[SHELLFISH]

You can crab any place there is water! Scout around and look for other crabbers. Stop into a bait and tackle store and ask them where to crab.
Use Google Earth to check over an area for likely spots. You want some water flow and don't be afraid of checking out fresh water flows. The males will travel up these small flows in their search for females. Try off fishing docks and you will probably see other crabbers. If people see you crabbing they will talk to you; listen to what they say and what they have seen. Half the fun is finding a new crabbing "hot spot" or honey hole!
From what I have experienced the best crabbing in Florida is March thru August.
Good luck and report back with what you experienced!

[Crabcruncher]

And I like September thru February best....Coh...stanza