Fold-Up Crab Traps In Florida

[TheGoschman]

Good morning all!!

In Florida, when using a fold-up crab trap or even a basket, do you have to be with the trap or can you tie a buoy to it and come back later to retrieve it? 

Thanks Gordon

[Crab Shack]

According to the FWC traps can't be left unattended,  which I interpreted as "can't be left overnight".  The only problem is that no matter who you talk to at the FWC whether it be someone in the office or a an officer face to face, you're probably going to get different answers.

[jack1747]

Send emails until you get the answer you want.  Then print it out and carry it with ya... 

[captaincrab55]

Send emails until you get the answer you want.  Then print it out and carry it with ya... 

Emails are Great, but Certified Mail is Golden.      Either way, be sure to cc: as many people as you can including the Governor.

[TheGoschman]

Thanks for the responses!!!!!!!!

I'm just curious if one were to set out some folding traps and then walk away to fish somewhere for an hour or so!
Since it's flat, nothing will get trapped in it so there's that but I guess maybe the abandoned aspect is more important for those type of traps.

Thank again!

[captaincrab55]

Thanks for the responses!!!!!!!!

I'm just curious if one were to set out some folding traps and then walk away to fish somewhere for an hour or so!
Since it's flat, nothing will get trapped in it so there's that but I guess maybe the abandoned aspect is more important for those type of traps.

Thank again!

I believe Shellfish covered that in a past post.

[witch1031]

You can tie a water bottle to the end of the line and use that as a buoy.   You can also use a pool noodle cut to about 6" and rig that around your line.   There are rules about how they have to be labeled that you can read on the FWC website.   No guarantees other people won't mess with it.

I would not do this with a fold up trap, I would use a box trap aka crab pot.

[Eddie2002]

I've always been told that in Florida waters five pots are allowed for recreational crabbing and the floats must have a big "R" on it along with name and address of the crabber. They also can soak for up to 24 hours before getting pulled. Not saying that the pots would still be there after 24 hours if you understand my drift.
  A fold-up type trap is just a fancy ring trap and would not be considered a totally enclosed trap so I would think the rules would be different.
here's a link to the regulations

https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/blue-crab/

[BlueTip4Me]

I believe that you can soak a trap for more than 24 hours?...I may be wrong but can not find anything on it. Must have a 2 inch "R" on buoy, that is so the thieves know which ones to steal!

[Crab Shack]

Nope, that's considered overnight and is fineable according to the FWC. (It may be allowed for landowners off of their own dock, I am not certain)

[BlueTip4Me]

Crab Shack, thanks for the info on 24 hours, was not aware of the rule. Where in the regulations can I find that stated? Isn't 24 hours overnight? Once again, Thank You.

[Crab Shack]

Crab Shack, thanks for the info on 24 hours, was not aware of the rule. Where in the regulations can I find that stated? Isn't 24 hours overnight? Once again, Thank You.

It's under blue claw crabbing regs.  Or you can call FWC in Jacksonville.  

Some of the regs down here are really stupid......like no minimum size....then they wonder why there aren't as many crabs like there used to be...