I fear the wost happened

[Rob]

Easy answer:  SCUBA.  We had our limits in 11 minutes.

[jeepster]

Cockels,  where or how can I get them?

go to the beach at low tide with a rake or a shovel and just poke around in the sandy muddy muck.

 you only really need 4 or so to do the job. smash em once or twice on something hard and then put them in a scotty jar (or something with lots of holes) shells and everything, so the scent flows well but so the crab cant get to em. should take like 15 minutes to find a few, might need a clamming lisence juuuuuuuuusst incase, but cockles are really easy to find.

http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equipment/fishing-supplies/VentedBaitJars.htm these bait jars are awesome

[CP]

Next to thieves, the 2nd biggest problem with long soaks is this guy.  To a crab he’s a hideous monster and once he globs on to the pot no more crabs will come and when he squeezes in the crabs will do their best to get the hell out of the pot.  Given long enough, and enough incentive, they will find a way out. 

Happy crabs have no reason to leave, feed them well and check the pots often to keep the starfish away. 

[pips4bucks]

Years ago I used to fish the salt with a friend of mine.  If we forgot to bring the pots or just didn't feel like bringing them we would pick an occasional pot or two.  BUT, we felt like we had to give back to whose pot it was, so we only took a couple crab making sure there were enough keepers left, cleaned out the shorties and females, re-baited, and left a full beer for each crab we took.

It was just our way of sayin' Thanks for the effort!  Too bad this doesn't happen anymore.  People probably wouldn't get so pissed.

[gasman]

Cockels,  where or how can I get them?

go to the beach at low tide with a rake or a shovel and just poke around in the sandy muddy muck.

 you only really need 4 or so to do the job. smash em once or twice on something hard and then put them in a scotty jar (or something with lots of holes) shells and everything, so the scent flows well but so the crab cant get to em. should take like 15 minutes to find a few, might need a clamming lisence juuuuuuuuusst incase, but cockles are really easy to find.

http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equipment/fishing-supplies/VentedBaitJars.htm these bait jars are awesome

Thast what ai thought you were talking about. Just comcerned if a clam lic. is required for getting them as bait or in a closed area. i will have to look in to it.

Thanks

[Alchase]

If you were crabbing Nisqually, it is almost guaranteed you got ripped off. We won't leave our pots more then a couple hours there anymore. We set them then motor over to shore just North of the bay along the railroad tracks. Break out the BBQ and lets the kids play for a couple hours, insight of our buoys. We use to see the same native boats going through the area pulling peoples pots regularly. We reported it many times, but they can't do anything unless they catch them red handed.

[gasman]

We have been hitting Commencement Bay, but was thinking of trying around Steilacum area this weekend. Any one been there lately?

[lokidog]

I always wanted to put a sign on my buoys saying "If you can read this, I can see you in my scope...."

This is also one reason I put a big red buoy on with my red and white one.  I figure whoever might try to pull it will feel less anonymous when motoring up to a 2' diameter float.  Too bad you can't load them with a dye pack.  CA used to put ultraviolet markers on lobsters and then put them in commercial pots to try to catch thieves in boats and SCUBA gear.

[FC]

I always wanted to put a sign on my buoys saying "If you can read this, I can see you in my scope...."

I love it!

[d-rock]

We had Two pots stolen last weekend.  I am just getting into it and will never buy super nice expensive ones.  I will be looking at it like I do my Trail Cams.....expendable hardware just hope they pay for themselves before they get jacked.   

I know lets all start putting trail cams on the buoys.......

[gasman]

I know what you mean D-Rock. the pots I have are 20+ years old. One is due for replacing but it is going to be replaced with another $20 fold up crab trap. 

[YoterHunter]

hey Pete sportcop has them for 14 bucks if you have a member ship. and you need a shell fish license to get any clam .   p.s. next time dont tell me were you put you pots .  thanks for the crab.

[gasman]

hey Pete sportcop has them for 14 bucks if you have a member ship. and you need a shell fish license to get any clam .   p.s. next time dont tell me were you put you pots .  thanks for the crab.

Yeah Dale, I know. I will heading there tommorow to get a couple.

And as for you steeling my crab, i guess it was pay back for all the Chantrells I took from you last year 

[jagermiester]

Make sure and use a bait container I thinks sometimes the little crab and other sea creatures that can move in and out of the pot will take away your sent trail before the keepers have a chance.