Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: Kola16 on July 09, 2021, 07:31:11 PM

Title: 2 Pot Buoys Enough for the Coast?
Post by: Kola16 on July 09, 2021, 07:31:11 PM: Hey all. I am wondering if 2 standard size crab pot floats is enough for crabbing the coastal waters out of Neah Bay and Westport? I have about 180-200 ft. of leaded line and plan on dropping in 110 ft. of water.

Last time I dropped my pots out of Neah in roughly 130 ft. and crabbing was great! Averaged 5 keepers per pot! That was, after of course, dragging 2 lbs. of lead with a treble hook across the bottom and reeling in the pot some of the way with a halibut rod! The current was so strong it pulled my measly 1 float right under. Don't want to do that again :chuckle:

So who on here crabs the big waters and how many floats do you use? Is 2 enough or do I need more? I had enough weight just lacking the float!
Title: Re: 2 Pot Buoys Enough for the Coast?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on July 09, 2021, 08:06:22 PM: In my experience in high tidal or current areas, floats mean little. Too many and they can help drag/and or float your pots away. Out there, you're pots need to be heavy or anchored. One thing I have had luck with (but a bit cumbersome I admit) is zip tying (heavy zips) a vertical piece of rebar on 2 opposite corners of the pot so the rebar protrudes downward a foot or better from the bottom of the pot. I've never had one of those move. And if your float is under, wait until the tide starts going out and you'll find it.
Title: Re: 2 Pot Buoys Enough for the Coast?
Post by: Kola16 on July 12, 2021, 11:48:43 AM: Well you were right. 2 pot buoys was not enough :chuckle: Picked them up at slack tide. The problem I have with them going under is that I do not want another boater to run them over for their sake and mine...
Title: Re: 2 Pot Buoys Enough for the Coast?
Post by: Stein on July 12, 2021, 11:51:53 AM: I have had two floats and an LD buoy dragged under, I think you would have to have a whole lot of flotation to keep it on the surface during all tide changes.

Usually, you are most worried about floating the pot if it gets swept away and then deal with submerged floats by either not setting or picking them during extreme tides or just waiting it out for them to pop back up.
Title: Re: 2 Pot Buoys Enough for the Coast?
Post by: dilleytech on July 13, 2021, 03:47:35 PM: Quote from: Kola16 on July 12, 2021, 11:48:43 AM
Well you were right. 2 pot buoys was not enough :chuckle: Picked them up at slack tide. The problem I have with them going under is that I do not want another boater to run them over for their sake and mine...

Get any crab? Never crabbed neah bay before
Title: Re: 2 Pot Buoys Enough for the Coast?
Post by: Kola16 on July 13, 2021, 04:01:45 PM: Quote from: dilleytech on July 13, 2021, 03:47:35 PM
Quote from: Kola16 on July 12, 2021, 11:48:43 AM
Well you were right. 2 pot buoys was not enough :chuckle: Picked them up at slack tide. The problem I have with them going under is that I do not want another boater to run them over for their sake and mine...
Get any crab? Never crabbed neah bay before
This time nothin! Last time a ton! I only dropped them about a mile or two from the other spot and a little shallower, but vastly different results. Weird....