Topless/Foldup Traps in Florida

friz · August 30, 2014, 11:05:59 AM

Want to start recreational crabbing here in Florida. Looking at laying a line of say 20 topless/foldup traps, tending during the day and taking them and hopefully a few crabs home with me at night. That is the way we used to do it in Maryland. I see the Florida regs limit recreational crabbers to 5 traps each for "commercial style" traps. It doesn't seem to me that topless/foldup traps would be considered "commercial". I have never seen a commercial crabber tending topless/foldup traps. Oh yeah, one more question. I am over 65, I don't have to purchase a recreational fishing licence. I assume that also extends to crabbing?

SHELLFISH · August 30, 2014, 12:03:16 PM

You are limited to 5 traps of any kind in Florida. I wouldn't want to test your theory!

You should be fine with no license and over 65!
Good luck and post reports!

friz · August 30, 2014, 03:32:56 PM

Thanks Shellfish. I see you gave purplewg the same advice a year ago. Earlier today one of the posts here had a link to a site something like eregsfloridawildlife commission.com. That is were I saw the reference to "commercial style" traps. Well, I can't find the site again and everything else I find agrees with you - 5 traps. I see a post from you, 2007, asking about "topless" traps being permitted. Can I assume that foldup traps include the topless traps and are good to go here in Florida?

crewstation · August 30, 2014, 05:00:01 PM

Quote from: SHELLFISH on August 30, 2014, 12:03:16 PM
You are limited to 5 traps of any kind in Florida. I wouldn't want to test your theory!
You should be fine with no license and over 65!
Good luck and post reports!

Just crossed Florida off of my list of possible retirement choices.

on the hook · August 30, 2014, 05:08:22 PM

Quote from: crewstation on August 30, 2014, 05:00:01 PM
Just crossed Florida off of my list of possible retirement choices.

Yeh Mike, but if you live on the water???..Endless possibilities..

SHELLFISH · September 02, 2014, 10:55:39 AM

Topless traps are good to use in Florida!

saupere · April 28, 2016, 10:28:57 AM

By "topless traps" are you talking about the pyramid style of folding traps that lay flat on the ocean floor until you go to retrieve them with a rope and they fold up neatly into a pyramid thus trapping the crab. Is this what you mean or are you talking about something else?

SHELLFISH · May 03, 2016, 11:12:23 AM

The topless traps mentioned on this site are the box style with the fold out doors. They have no top on them so they are stackable.

The other style you are talking about are known as pyramid style.
Then there is also the throwable ring net of metal or cord.

All of these are not really a trap until they are pulled up and, if they have them, the doors close.

Sorry it took so long for me to answer your question.