NJ Questions about pots

[Greg PA]

Going to be doing pots for the first time. I bought 2 but they don't have a biodegradable section. I am a recreational/ weekend warrior, in the bay by OC NJ.

What is better, steel hog rings or the Biodegradable section?

Do you use ID tags on your pots?

I was going to use an anchor shackle to connect my: line from the pot to the line to the buoy. I thought if I had a galvanized one the extra weight would help keep the line down. Any problems with that?

Is it the risk of theft, or of drift / accidental cutting of line by boats? I would like to leave mine out for 4-5 days in remote areas, or is this asking for trouble?

G

[pttsbrghfan]

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/non-comm_crabpot_regs.pdf

Crabpots must be tended to with-in every 72 hours, and must be marked with your license number.  Line to float must be of the non-floating type to not get stuck in propellers.  Pay close attention to materials that are allowed for biodegradable panel/side.  Terrapin excluders may also be required depending on waterway that pot is set in.

[olclamman]

   the  reg  need to be read  at times

[Greg PA]

I have read the regs several times. My line is anchor line that sinks, I have weights spliced into it at 1' increments to keep it straight down.. My float has my name and license number burned into it and then painted.

I am looking for some opinions on which is better as far as the biodegradable aspect, and some local feedback about how many days you can leave the pots in and still have them there.

G

[Ron]

First of all, welcome aboard neighbor.   

You can buy the biodegradable panels at several baitshops in the area, cut your pots and install them.   I know, for example, that the bait shop at Somerset Cove, just over the 559 bridge @ Patcong Creek sells the panels.

The more frequently you check your pots, the less likely they are to be stolen.   I've only had pots stolen once in and around Great Egg Harbor Bay in the decades I've been dropping them out there.  

[Greg PA]

Ron
Thanks for the information, that is exactly what I was looking to learn. I already bought cotton twine to use with the panels but I will head over to the place you recommended. I don't have excluders on mine but was planning on putting them on. I know the rule is 150' or wider, but for $5 a pot I think it is worth the hedge.

I owe you a beer.

G

[Ron]

The same place sells turtle excluders.   

[squidly]

look at the door where you dump the crabs out. I work for a company that makes crab traps in s.jersey and we use iron hog rings on that door. that's the bio panel. most manufactures do same.to ck use a magnet.

[eelfisher]

Greg, if you plan on setting in the open bay be careful of the bay cabbage. Back when I eeled there, my buoy lines would get a build up of cabbage and the weight would pull the buoy under. A lot of times my eel pot would travel a hundred yards or so with the current, and that's with 25 lbs of concrete in them.

[stuff]

when we use to crab in jersey we would but the pots out in the morning ,go fluking and in the afternoon come back to pick them up  they  were already stolen when we got back. after 5 we gave up on pots