Re: Blue Crab Trapping Help
[Re: KB64]
#6579153
07/22/19 05:14 PM
07/22/19 05:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,986 Shenandoah County, VA
l1ranger
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,986
Shenandoah County, VA
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Get the 2 ring crab nets that lie flat. Tie a piece of chicken in the middle and ease it straight up when a crab enters it. I wouldn't but a big basket for jyst a weekend.
Hit me up if you need more info, we have a place down there (Baldwin Co) this - do it everytime i get near the ocean. something like this - will run you about 1 to 5 bucks a piece depending on where you get them
Last edited by l1ranger; 07/22/19 05:15 PM.
Josh
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Re: Blue Crab Trapping Help
[Re: TreedaBlackdog]
#6579185
07/22/19 06:54 PM
07/22/19 06:54 PM
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,497 Southern NJ
maintenanceguy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,497
Southern NJ
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As was already said: The two easiest and cheapest options are double ring traps or hand lines.
Chicken is the cheapest and easiest bait. Buy the cheap stuff. Some butchers near salt water box chicken necks just for crabbers. They are tough enough that the crabs don't just tear them apart. Bunker is a good bait but is awfully soft and gets lost easily.
If using hand lines, pull in each line very slowly every 10 minutes or so. 5 lines will keep a kid busy full time. scoop up any crabs that are hanging on with a net before they reach the surface of the water and let go. Go slow and don't move much. Crabs are skiddish.
Open top traps like the cheap double ring traps - same method. wiretie or otherwise secure bait to the bottom of the trap and about every 10 minutes, pull it in fast so the crab can't climb out. Crabs are quicker than you would think.
A pair of crab tongs helps. Not everyone is comfortable reaching in and grabbing a crab that doesn't want to be grabbed.
And keep your crabs out of water. If you put your crabs in a 5 gallon bucket of water, they will use up the oxygen and drown. Wooden crab baskets are great. So are those round, plastic laundry baskets. I usually just use a 5 gallon bucket.
Do not keep them on ice, they will die. I do ice them for 5 minutes before cleaning them. It slows them down enough that I'm not going to get pinched. My wife grew up on a salt marsh. She can clean 5 crabs for every 1 I clean. I don't even clean them any more. She does and I'm in charge of hosing the gunk out of them.
-Ryan
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Re: Blue Crab Trapping Help
[Re: TreedaBlackdog]
#6579402
07/23/19 12:52 AM
07/23/19 12:52 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,618 N. Carolina
Scout1
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,618
N. Carolina
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I was actually considering buying a collapsible trap for when we go to the beach. Crab is one of my favorite seafoods!
------------------------------------- DJT & MTG in 2024!
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Re: Blue Crab Trapping Help
[Re: K52]
#6579470
07/23/19 07:11 AM
07/23/19 07:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,255 Port Republic South Jersey
Newt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,255
Port Republic South Jersey
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When I was a kid we caught blue crabs in the Pearl river in Logtown, Mississippi. Took fish heads, a big steel nut and a string run through where the fish eyes had been. Lowered the string till a crab latched on then pulled up slow and dip netted him. Equipment and bait doesn't get any cheaper than that. There you go.
South Jersey Trapping and Snaring School January 19-20-21 2024 NEWT -----------------OVER---------------- www.snareone.com
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Re: Blue Crab Trapping Help
[Re: TreedaBlackdog]
#6579542
07/23/19 09:36 AM
07/23/19 09:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,986 Shenandoah County, VA
l1ranger
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,986
Shenandoah County, VA
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pull em up blindly ever so often.
if you are in them, every 5 minutes or so is a good time....if its a little slower, 10 to 15 minutes.
good notes on keeping them from maintenance guy - i keep mine in a wooden bushel basket, in the shade if possible, with a wet towel over them
Josh
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Re: Blue Crab Trapping Help
[Re: TreedaBlackdog]
#6579744
07/23/19 04:43 PM
07/23/19 04:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,497 Southern NJ
maintenanceguy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,497
Southern NJ
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Assuming that the water is salty enough, crabs are everywhere. Like all creatures, they like to be near stuff. Crabbing off a pier is great. I don't know Alabama's crabbing laws but commercial pots (as opposed to traps) will let you crab all night without having to do anything. Pots can be pricey. The best ones have two levels with a "downstairs" and an "upstairs" level. Crabs enter through funnels into the downstairs, and naturally swim up to try to escape becoming trapped in the upper level. They could get out by just going back the way they got in but crabs aren't especially smart. I've bought used pots in good condition on craigslist for $15 each and I have a few I've bought new for around $50 each.
Every day crabbing is different but If we set out half a dozen pots on Friday night, I'll pull in 3 or 4 dozen crabs Saturday afternoon.
-Ryan
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