From fishing net to dock ready crab trap in 10 minutes

[DoubleJ]

I can't stand looking at all of these pictures of crabs so, despite an invite for the weekend (which I will be taking that kind person up on if the offer is still there  ) and despite not having a crab trap of my own, I decided to turn over the garage and find the parts to make my own for a trip to a local dock with the kids tomorrow.  I disconnected the shaft from the ring of a fish net and ran a daisy chain of zip ties to hold a bird suet feeder box in the middle to hold chicken.  We'll get to see how it works tomorrow.

[Stickerbush]

I like it! macguever setup

[rasbo]

ring is a ring,looks good to me..

[KFhunter]

get some weight on there!

[DoubleJ]

get some weight on there!

Crap.  I'll get right on that

[SemperFidelis97]

The offer is still there J if the weather holds we should be up next weekend as well.  I just got home we pulled 10 this morning after an overnight soak one was well over eight inches.  Just give me a heads up when you get some time away, your kids are welcome as well.

[deerslyr]

Ive done this same thing with crawdads and it worked great! cant say ive tried using it for actual crabs but cant see too much of a difference? Have you ever tried the crab snares you tie on to the end of your fishing line? Ive use those for crabs and have caught quite a few.

[DoubleJ]

Ive done this same thing with crawdads and it worked great! cant say ive tried using it for actual crabs but cant see too much of a difference? Have you ever tried the crab snares you tie on to the end of your fishing line? Ive use those for crabs and have caught quite a few.

I'm going into the garage right now to work on a snare.  I'm pretty sure I don't have the parts for that though

[DoubleJ]

Snare is finished.  I used the suet box from the trap so, no more trap   I like the idea of the snare better though and almost catching many crabs when I was a kid I know the idea should work.  For the snares I had to use weed whacker line.  Anyone know the max number of snares allowed on one trap in Washington?

[KFhunter]

wheres the pic?
 
someone got to tell you what you done wrong 

[DoubleJ]

wheres the pic?
 
someone got to tell you what you done wrong 

LOL.  Give me a minute

[DoubleJ]

[Jamieb]

Way to go, make do with what you got. I'm sure it will work fine

[DoubleJ]

Going to stuff it with trout that my kid keeps catching from the lake around the corner

[Goldeneye]

Weight the bait box down so that it will land flat to the bottom and stay there.  If you have pencil lead or a soft lead like that just twist it into the bottom corners.

[DoubleJ]

No lead.  That's why I went to this version instead of the trap.  Figured I could cast it out and reel it in like fishing.  I'm not sure it needs to stay flat on the bottom because the snares will grab a leg when I "set the hook".

[deadyote]

I was thinking about making a crab snare also and I have some heavy chicken wire to build it out of.  What did you used for the snares?  I was thinking about just using some 50lb or so fishing line?  I'm headed to westport in a couple weeks, so I better get on it.

[DoubleJ]

I used weed whacker line and used zip ties pulled really tight to hold the loops

[h20hunter]

How about this.........

Make it into a 5 point harness. One center line and one out to each corner. It should work better to trap Mr. Crabby.

[wraithen]

Idk why you couldn't use trout as bait. I use salmon all the time.

[DoubleJ]

How about this.........

Make it into a 5 point harness. One center line and one out to each corner. It should work better to trap Mr. Crabby.

I'll work it up and see how it looks

[DoubleJ]

I could be wrong and I am sure someone will jump in, but I don't think you can use trout as bait.

Using chicken anyway.  just hit the store this morning

[h20hunter]

Peel the skin of the chicken..........seems to hold 'em longer when they can really get into the meat.

[Button Nubbs]

everytime you pull the trap up put a couple cuts in the chicken it helps disperse new scent. we used to clean up off the piers when we were younger.

[h20hunter]

Yep....good suggestion........more cuts equal more surface area in contact with the water equals more scent equals more crab.

[DoubleJ]

OK.  Just tried a practice cast and it snapped my line.  Until I can get some 25lb line, I have to go back to the net/trap.  I added 3lbs of weight (every fishing sinker I have).  Think it'll be enough?

[h20hunter]

Should be..........all depends on how the current "catches" on your.........pot.

Can you hand throw then reel in with the pole?

[DoubleJ]

Should be..........all depends on how the current "catches" on your.........pot.

Can you hand throw then reel in with the pole?

Didn't think of that.  I'm not switching again today but it's something I will look at

[h20hunter]

If you have anything with braid that would be the way to go. Lobbing that baby out there is going to creat quite the stretch on the line. What did you think of my 5 point harness suggestion?

[DoubleJ]

If you have anything with braid that would be the way to go. Lobbing that baby out there is going to creat quite the stretch on the line. What did you think of my 5 point harness suggestion?

Didn't get a chance to hook it up and see.  I test casted and the line broke and I re-rigged the fishing net before I got to your suggestion.  It is a solid one though

[sebek556]

doublej I got a few crab pods, pm me and I'll send one your way, being on the dry side now they only see action once a year. 

[DoubleJ]

Thank you sebek.  I want to test this first.  That was kind of my idea with this as well.  I didn't want to drop any money on anything for crabbing if I can't get the pot deep enough to get crabs that are big enough.

[sebek556]

if I remember right the lines for my pods/rings are 75 ft. I could go dig one out and measure for you if yah want. I used them off the dock on the way out to the pier at Westport.