Can I leave crab traps out for 5 days?

[Joelb58]

I am leaving the beach Sunday afternoon and will return Friday night (realistically will not get to the traps until Sat morning).  Is it legal to leave the traps in the water for this long without checking them?  Will the crabs live?  Thanks.

[Ron]

No.   Assuming you are talking about commercial crab pots, you can't leave them out more than 72 hours without tending them.

[Joelb58]

No.   Assuming you are talking about commercial crab pots, you can't leave them out more than 72 hours without tending them.

No, its just recreational.  I have 4 pots (my wife and I each have 2) that we use on local docks.  Is it ok to leave for 5 days if its recreational?  will the crabs survive?

[Hawkeye]

A crab  "POT" which crabs go in - but cannot exit without someone opening it....this is known as a commercial crab pot. 

[Hawkeye]

There is a sticky link on this site (the one for the NJ guidelines) that if you open the pdf file - page 14 states:
7. All crab pots must be tended at least once every 72 hours.


hope that answers your question!

[Hawkeye]

here's the link:

http://www.bluecrab.info/forum/index.php/topic,26891.0.html

[Ron]

Is it ok to leave for 5 days if its recreational?  will the crabs survive?

The answer is no.   72 hours.   A pot is a pot, regardless of what license (recreational or commercial) you are using.

[crewstation]

No worries, Joel.  Simple solution.  Just let me know where you're leaving them and I'll check them for you while you're gone.  It's the least I could do for a fellow crabber.