Crab Regs

[dr.crab]

Is it permissable to use a trot line for blue crabs in NC ?
If so what are the restrictions, and why dosn't any one ase them ?

[Seapro 1]

I was wondering the same!  We trotline around the Potomac with a lot of success.  I am heading to Hatteras next week and was thinking of trying some crabbing since it has not heated up yet on the Potomac.  I see no one has responded to your question yet.  Hoping someone will give us an answer.

[carolinagirl]

No you cant run a trot line without a recreational commercial license. $250 a year for non residents.

[Seapro 1]

Thanks for the info.  I guess it will be chicken necks on strings.  Do you know if the out of state fishing license covers crabbing with chicken necks from a boat?

[carolinagirl]

a combination of up to five per person with a license chicken necks and string or collapsable traps on land so i would think it would be the same on a boat but you probably want to check me on that one


N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
www.ncfisheries.net

[flounderpounder]

traps are considered handlines....you can use unlimited traps   Ill be taking 50 traps down to corolla in 30 days...hope it is on !!!

[markotto]

FROM AN EMAIL I JUST GOT TODAY:

For recreational crabbing you can use the following “without” a license:
Bait and string
Collapsible traps (use as many as you want) these are sold at most tackle shops and I believe WalMart sells them.  They are about 18” and are collapsible.
One standard crab pot attached to a private dock that you have access to, per person.

If you want to use standard crab pots (more than one or free floating in the water) you would have to get a Recreational Commercial Gear License which is $35 for a NC resident.

Now this rule applies to salt water and joint waters.  Wildlife Resource Commission handles fresh water and joint waters too.  If you are crabbing in fresh water you will need to contact them at 800-662-7137.

I hope this helps and if you need further information, please feel free to contact me.  I will do my best or point you in the right direction.

Thank you,

Cheryl Gilgo
Public Affairs Assistant
252-808-8137

[chuglug]

Last time I checked a trot line could only be 100 feet

[Crabpot Man]

Last time I checked a trot line could only be 100 feet

Correct.

[Harford Crabber]

100 foot? Seriously?  Why bother?   
Visiting my daughter's family last July in New Bern my son in law, grandson, grand daughter and I got bout 1/2 bushel in 2 hours from a public pier. We had 8 or 10 hand lines with chicken backs.  My first time ever for hand lines... Wal Mart was out of dipnets so we dipped em with a cheap fishnet with a broom handle extension duct taped on. We had a ball, especially the kids. 

[Earthquake]

Going down to Duck on vacation aug 18th.what are the rules for crabbing. we will be bringing my boat. do we need a license. are trot lines still out for the recreational crabber...thanks for all info

[Crabpot Man]

Going down to Duck on vacation aug 18th.what are the rules for crabbing. we will be bringing my boat. do we need a license. are trot lines still out for the recreational crabber...thanks for all info

Nothing has changed, rules are above. 

[hollyNC]

I'm looking for insight from a native NC crabber and/or commercial crabber, I also grew up using a trot line (maryland native where they have 1,000' line restriction).  I am interested in the history of changes with the NC regulations.  I can't wrap my mind around even having a regulation for a 100' line, why isn't it just banned? 

Do any of you now the history of this regulation, has it always been this way (@100') or was it changed at some point?  It seems like the NC crabbing regs are designed to support the commercial crabbers and those lucky enough to own waterfront property.  We live in Raleigh so are weekend coastal visitors.  We've mostly fished, but we did our first run with trotline over memorial weekend.  It's [dang] near impossible with the volume of commercial pots [we were by goose creek sp].

If any of you have intimate knowledge of the history of these regs I'd be highly interested to discuss further - thanks much!