150 ft trot line

rheyco · May 06, 2013, 01:02:07 AM

Okay I want to get the non commercial license so I can try this trot line thing. I read in NJ 150 ft max and 25 baits. Now can I run more than one line say 5 lines laid out 150 ft each and 25 baits each or does it restrict me to one trot line? Also I have seen the bait tied right to the line where it lies on the bottom any suggestions I am really new to this next time will be my first. Also regs state one bushel per day if I have two guys on the boat would that be two bushels one each? I want to do it right and keep it on the up and up.

olclamman · May 06, 2013, 07:41:52 AM

the regs are clear you are allowed 2- 150 ft trot lines with 25 baits on each per license and 1 bushel of crabs they cannot not to be connected to each other re read the regs

Ron · May 06, 2013, 07:47:13 AM

Each person is entitled to one bushel of crabs per day, regardless of whether or not they have a recreational crab pot/trot line license.

You are restricted to two trotlines per licensed person. The lines may not be connected. The line itself includes your chain and anchors, so don't exceed 150 linear feet.

rheyco · May 06, 2013, 08:25:35 AM

Thanks for the information sorry about wrong forum still learning the site.

I would of been in violation as I didn't think the chains would count.

Ron · May 06, 2013, 08:36:08 AM

No need to apologize. Welcome to the forums.

mattio41 · March 21, 2016, 11:18:21 AM

Quote from: Ron on May 06, 2013, 07:47:13 AM
Each person is entitled to one bushel of crabs per day, regardless of whether or not they have a recreational crab pot/trot line license.

You are restricted to two trotlines per licensed person. The lines may not be connected. The line itself includes your chain and anchors, so don't exceed 150 linear feet.

Ron,

Basically, if you used 3 ft of line from Anchor-Buoy-Chain - to first snood (I would think is not enough space) you are limited to 90 feet of baited line of 35 baits. Which is about a space of 3.5 feet apart.

Any good recommendations of how to set up a good line, while maximizing the feet given??

mattio41 · March 21, 2016, 12:00:28 PM

OK, Now I am little more confused...

http://www.stackablecrabtraps.com/snoodstrotlines.html

Has premade trotlines available. 150 feet with 6' spacing, and is said to be NJ Legal. From what I can tell, that is only the baited line section. But if you now add the extra line, chain, float, and anchor, you are well beyond 150 linear feet. So what is right, and what is wrong??

CaptMoose · March 21, 2016, 12:21:47 PM

Trot line length regs refer to the baited portion. Don't count any control lines, chains, etc.

mattio41 · March 21, 2016, 12:46:52 PM

Quote from: CaptMoose on March 21, 2016, 12:21:47 PM
Trot line length regs refer to the baited portion. Don't count any control lines, chains, etc.

I just spoke with marine law enforcement, and they are saying what Ron is saying. From Anchor to Anchor, 150 feet maximum. Which just doesn't seem right to me.

crewstation · March 21, 2016, 01:19:42 PM

That is absolutely ridiculous. So if you're in 3 feet of water and you run your anchor and chain lines at a 3-1 ratio, and assuming a total of 2 feet of chain, then 38 feet of your line is anchoring a 112' baited portion?!?!

And if I want to run a line in 12' of water, my baited portion is 4'? A chicken neck every 1.9 inches. Wow.

crewstation · March 21, 2016, 01:20:45 PM

mattio,

I'm guessing if you called five different agents on five different days, you might get five different answers. I'd like to see it in writing.

mattio41 · March 21, 2016, 01:32:51 PM

Quote from: crewstation on March 21, 2016, 01:19:42 PM
That is absolutely ridiculous. So if you're in 3 feet of water and you run your anchor and chain lines at a 3-1 ratio, and assuming a total of 2 feet of chain, then 38 feet of your line is anchoring a 112' baited portion?!?!

And if I want to run a line in 12' of water, my baited portion is 4'? A chicken neck every 1.9 inches. Wow.

I said the same thing. I called the main office and they transferred me down to the marine division. The Lt. who I spoke to, works the areas that I live and crab. On a bright note, he gave me some spots to go check out. But basically, your scenario you pointed out, is correct. According to what he said.

Scap Capt. · March 21, 2016, 03:58:45 PM

....and this is why most NJ crabbers don't utilize a trot line.

crewstation · March 21, 2016, 04:43:29 PM

Quote from: Scap Capt. on March 21, 2016, 03:58:45 PM
....and this is why most NJ crabbers don't utilize a trot line.

.....and some only need a net and a flashlight.

CaptMoose · March 21, 2016, 05:39:36 PM

No offense to our boys in blue, but since there seem to be an extremely low number of folks who have recently run a trot line in NJ, I suspect that marine law enforcement has very little experience or understanding of how a trot line works or what the respective rules mean. That is why if you ask 100 people at the DNR, you'll get 100 different answers.

I'm with Mikey. Show me in writing.

CaptMoose · March 21, 2016, 06:01:33 PM

NJ Regs: Crabs
1. Crabs may be taken recreationally with hand lines, manually operated collapsible traps or scoop nets without a license. A non-commercial crab pot license is required for the use of not more than two non -collapsible Chesapeake-style crab pots (see illustration on page 19) or two trot lines to harvest crabs. See page 19 for the non-commercial crab pot license information.
5. Recreational trot lines shall not exceed 150 feet in length with a maximum of 25 baits.
6. All pots and trot lines shall be marked with the identification number of the owner.

Other than "hearing it" from someone, where is all that other information written? It doesn't say you can't connect the two lines. It doesn't say you have to have a complete set of control lines anchors and buoys. It doesn't say to measure from anchor to anchor. So where does that come from? Just because someone asked the authorities, doesn't mean the answer they got is correct, especially when the regulations don't address those questions at all.

In fact, #1, #5 & #6 is ALL that the NJ regs say about trot lines which is very little indeed. I can't say I am happy to see what may be mis-information (at worst) or conjecture or interpretation (at best) being posted here as the rule of law.

[Steps off soapbox.] As you were. Talk amongst yourselves.

Hey Tom (RIP), please pass the popcorn!

mattio41 · March 21, 2016, 10:41:46 PM

Quote from: CaptMoose on March 21, 2016, 05:39:36 PM
Show me in writing.

I agree, I went to the Division of Fish and Wildlife and wrote to them for the exact regulation and how it is determined. While using some of the examples that were stated earlier, as well as sourced some pictures.

Let's see what they write back with.

crewstation · March 22, 2016, 07:41:08 AM

I would like to see the letter and response posted on here once you receive a reply.

mattio41 · March 22, 2016, 07:57:20 AM

Quote from: crewstation on March 22, 2016, 07:41:08 AM
I would like to see the letter and response posted on here once you receive a reply.

Absolutely

It says on the website that it takes typically two business days to get a response.

Ron · March 22, 2016, 11:21:29 PM

Quote from: CaptMoose on March 21, 2016, 06:01:33 PM
NJ Regs: Crabs
1. Crabs may be taken recreationally with hand lines, manually operated collapsible traps or scoop nets without a license. A non-commercial crab pot license is required for the use of not more than two non -collapsible Chesapeake-style crab pots (see illustration on page 19) or two trot lines to harvest crabs. See page 19 for the non-commercial crab pot license information.
5. Recreational trot lines shall not exceed 150 feet in length with a maximum of 25 baits.
6. All pots and trot lines shall be marked with the identification number of the owner.

Other than "hearing it" from someone, where is all that other information written? It doesn't say you can't connect the two lines. It doesn't say you have to have a complete set of control lines anchors and buoys. It doesn't say to measure from anchor to anchor. So where does that come from? Just because someone asked the authorities, doesn't mean the answer they got is correct, especially when the regulations don't address those questions at all.

In fact, #1, #5 & #6 is ALL that the NJ regs say about trot lines which is very little indeed. I can't say I am happy to see what may be mis-information (at worst) or conjecture or interpretation (at best) being posted here as the rule of law.

[Steps off soapbox.] As you were. Talk amongst yourselves.

Hey Tom (RIP), please pass the popcorn!

You can't just read and hang your hat on the portions of regs you like and ignore the ones you don't. The regulations do define a single trotline as not more than 150' and 25 baits and define how the ends for each trotline need to be identified.

As written:

Each trotline shall be marked at both ends with a clearly visible stake or buoy.

It clearly states that the ends of EACH LINE must have a clearly visible stake or buoy. When you link together the ends of two lines instead of marking the beginning and end of each trotline with a stake or buoy, then you aren't adhering to the regulations because you are only marking one end of each of the lines in that scenario.

In short, a trotline is defined as no more than 150' w 25 baits and the ends of each trotline line must be marked by a clearly visible buoy. Since you'd need to have four total buoys, it makes no sense to me to tie them together UNLESS the two lines are allowed share a common center anchor line.

I sent an email to NJ F&W this evening asking for a written determination. I asked specifically these questions to put an end to this madness.

What constitutes the total length of a trotline? The baited portion of the line itself or chain and anchor line included?

Can two trotlines be linked tied together without buoys at the end of each line?

If no, can two trotlines be linked together via common anchor line between the two, so long as each end of each line is marked by a buoy (four buoys in all.)

I'll let you know when I receive my response and post it here.