Crab Pots !!

[robodad]

What are your thoughts on taking crabs out of crab pots that are high and dry, I have never done it but have heard of a few folks that have and they say it is legal to do as long as the pots are completely out of the water ?? 

If there is a law regarding this I have not found it but would be interested to know !!!

[Antlershed]

Like taking them for yourself, or returning them to the water. If taking for yourself, I can't imagine it would be legal.

[popeshawnpaul]

I let them lay.  I don't own them and don't want someone messing with mine, no matter where they are.  If you see the bouy the phone number will be on it...call them.  I've had pots returned to me.  I've also had pots drift off that I found later.  They are cheap, just buy them.

[Dman]

 That's why there's an address on them, they can ask if you'd like them returned, but that's it.

[Professor Chaos]

like floating pots?  or high and dry on the beach?   

If i find a floating pot on a sun-tuesday w/o a name.  Its mine. 
If I find one floating with a name I usually take it in shallow and call the phone number or just leave it. 

[robodad]

Yeah what I am talking about are the pots that are set too close to the beach and when it is low tide they are high and dry for several hours before the tide comes back in and the crabs that are trapped in them basically cook from exposure.

I don't eat crabs so it don't make a bit of difference to me but I know a couple guys that say it is legal take the crabs out of them and either keep or release them and the rule falls under some derelict gear clause or something and I was just trying to clear it up !!!

Thanks with the replies so far, let's hear some more !!

[Professor Chaos]

I have only seen that once if my memory serves me.  I dont think i would remove the crabs, but I may move the pot into the water. 
maybe it happens more often up in your area but down in the sound it seems we have to go deep for crabs these days.

[rainshadow1]

Leave it and walk away. A few sun baked crabs aren't worth the headache you could get from being confronted and trying to explain yourself to F&W, or a testy crab fisherman who's been combatting thievery all season.

[robodad]

Leave it and walk away. A few sun baked crabs aren't worth the headache you could get from being confronted and trying to explain yourself to F&W, or a testy crab fisherman who's been combatting thievery all season.

That is exactly what I would do, It is not worth being confronted by the owner of the pots for sure. Besides if they were mine I would not want anyone touching them !!

[ICEMAN]

Report the pot as wasted wildlife, maybe the owner may get cited and learn to respect our resource.

[Antlershed]

like floating pots?  or high and dry on the beach?   

If i find a floating pot on a sun-tuesday w/o a name.  Its mine. 
If I find one floating with a name I usually take it in shallow and call the phone number or just leave it. 

So, if somebody breaks the law, or maybe not (maybe they lost a pot on Saturday, and it became visible on Sunday), it is ok for you to steal from them? Call F&W and report the pot and leave it alone, IMO. It would suck for you if a gamie saw you pulling it. I'm sure there would be a ticket for no name on the buoy and for you crabbing on a closed day. If there is no name, how are they going to believe it isn't yours...

[Dman]

Report the pot as wasted wildlife, maybe the owner may get cited and learn to respect our resource.

 That's a little harsh IM, if you crab long enough, everyone loses a pot to the tides, that is why there is a rot chord requirement, it doesn't take very long for the chord to rot out.

[ICEMAN]

Ive crabbed for years...  My point was if the pot was set so that it was exposed at low tide, and then the owner ignored it and left the crab to suffer and spoil, that would be a good call to wildlife. I agree, pots some times have legs of their own. I put window sash weights in mine to anchor them to the bottom. Never had one lost. Makes pulling them a chore...but....

My friend on the other hand has lost two, we believe to tide pressure and no weight in the pot.

[Dman]

 Do you have a line hauler? I don't think I'd try to pull weighted pots at 150' all day. I don't have a hauler yet, but will get one soon. Some guys leave their pots out all day without a pull, I like to pull mine frequently, I've heard a dominant crab can keep others out of the pot, particularly aggressive Rock crab.

[ICEMAN]

Dman, we have the "armstrong" puller....  

Actually we have a gas puller but do not use it for crab...., just shrimp... Pullers scare me....keep thinking I am going to lose a finger somewhere in the process...