Attending your topless or collapsible traps

[Zee Man]

We typically run a line of topless traps (20-25) and never leave them unattended but is there an actual regulation that prohibits people from doing so? I could not find it. Is it the same with trotlines?

[tattoo]

i beleve there is

[Capt. Debbie]

I think that law address the MD Commercial style.  Not the ones that stay open unless pulled in.  Why would they care about an open trap?  The bait's eaten and it's just bottom junk afterwards.

We typically run a line of topless traps (20-25) and never leave them unattended but is there an actual regulation that prohibits people from doing so? I could not find it. Is it the same with trotlines?

[Zee Man]

If everyone leaves their topless traps unattended for periods of time it seems that could become a nuisance for boaters possibly getting the lines caught in their props and eventually drifting around due to tide changes and the wakes of boats going by...I could see that becoming a problem.

[samiam]

If everyone leaves their topless traps unattended for periods of time it seems that could become a nuisance for boaters possibly getting the lines caught in their props and eventually drifting around due to tide changes and the wakes of boats going by...I could see that becoming a problem.

I suppose creating a navigational hazard is possible, if improbable. I'm with Frank - the only NJ regs about attending crabbing gear that I am aware of pertain to "hotel" pots (must be attended at minimum 72 hour intervals, iirc), presumably to prevent trapped crabs from dying.

[Zee Man]

I know I've seen Ron mention in past pots/comments over the years that you need to tend to your line of traps when jugging.

[Capt. Debbie]

True. You do not catch many crabs leaving the bait to be devoured by the crabs in open door traps and then naively come back later looking for a haul.

Jugging is common sense.  No floating polypro line and not in the channel.

Frankly attended or not,  jugs left in the channel are prop fodder.  You think it matters they watch their trap jug getting sucked into someone's prop?

I know I've seen Ron mention in past pots/comments over the years that you need to tend to your line of traps when jugging.

[Zee Man]

It can also add up to be an expensive day losing topless traps ($17 a piece w/float).

[samiam]

True. You do not catch many crabs leaving the bait to be devoured by the crabs in open door traps and then naively come back later looking for a haul.

Jugging is common sense.  No floating polypro line and not in the channel.

Frankly attended or not,  jugs left in the channel are prop fodder.  You think it matters they watch their trap jug getting sucked into someone's prop?

I recall seeing a prohibition of floating lines in the regs, but again, that might be only for pots. I'm too hot to research it at the moment... As you said, though, it's just common sense (wish it was actually "common"...)