Cape Cod Crabbing Rules

[duque00]

Hey All,

I am going to Cape Cod in July for a week. I would like to crab there for Blue Crab if possible. I've read the rules and regulations several times and my head is spinning. The only hard rules I have so far are:

- 25 Max per Day per Person
- 5" minimum point to point - NO PREGGOS.

The licensing is confusing......

Do I need a license?
Can I use my crab traps?
Can I do a hand line with chicken?

I am NOT a resident and will be there for a week.

Thanking you in advance!

[Professor_Leakey]

You can use the traps as long as they are not closed traps...collapsible traps like box/star are fine to use.  Hand lining with chicken is also fine.  I do not believe that you need any license whatsoever to do this, but never looked into this because I always have a fishing/hunting license anyway. 

[chef]

No license needed as long as they are not crab pots (traps with collapsible doors are legal see link).

http://www.easternmarine.com/foxy-mate-low-profile-crab-trap

[duque00]

That's the trap I have Chef.

PL - just don't want/need the hassle of going up there with gear and getting banged for not knowing the rules....
Just want some to make some tasty cakes....

[fishgeek]

I've attached a picture of a regulation sign that can be found posted at our more popular MA blue crabbing locations.  If anyone is aware of a MA location that could use a sign, let me know and I'll try to get one posted. 

To answer your questions, you do not need a permit (resident or non-resident) if you are using a hand line/trot line, or dip net.  You also do not need a permit to fish a "star trap" or other such "open top" trap.  You would need a permit to fish a lobster trap, or Chesapeake Bay style crab trap.

If you have any more questions about MA state regulations, feel free to give me a call.  I'm the crab biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.  While most of my work time is spent on other crab species (Jonah crab, horseshoe crab), blue crabbing is one of my favorite hobbies. 

Derek Perry
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
Invertebrate Fisheries
1213 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
phone: (508) 990-2860 ex. 148
fax: (508) 990-0449
[email protected]

[duque00]

Thanks Derek! Some great info there!

Unfortunately I am home from Mass to tend to a family emergency.

[chef]

Yes thanks Derek. The sign does state that collapsible traps are legal. Now we just need to know if we're allowed to use more than one collapsible trap.

It seems like nitpicking but I'd rather nit pick here than to have my kayak and vehicle confiscated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


If not then I guess using a trotline would be the only option to have a chance at catching a limit. 

[ducker]

I can't find any documentation on the number of traps an individual can use.
I crab on the shoreline and will sometimes use 2 open top box traps, and a few simple lines with bait on them.
And that keeps me really busy.  I suppose I could most likely manage using 4 traps and rotate between them, all the while also looking for crabs roaming around.
Any more than that - and I feel it would take too long to set up and manage.


(edit)  looks like some good discussion in another thread on this topic... suffice it to say, I wouldn't waste my time setting up more open box traps than I can regularly watch/check on. (I would estimate waiting any longer than 15 min, and you're pretty aggressively feeding the fish/eels/crabs)

So - yeah.  I personally wouldn't bother with that many and if I did go with my max example of 4...  and spaced them out, I would still be most likely be missing out on other crabs that could be easy dip net grabs