How to Go Crabbing Kimberly Llewellyn December 9, 2008.

How to Go CrabbingHow to Go Crabbing

Kimberly Kimberly LlewellynLlewellyn

December 9, December 9, 20082008

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

Rules and RegulationsRules and Regulations Female vs. Male CrabsFemale vs. Male Crabs Materials NeededMaterials Needed MethodsMethods

– Traps/PotsTraps/Pots– HandlinesHandlines– TrotlineTrotline

Handling CrabsHandling Crabs Tips and AdviceTips and Advice

Rules and RegulationsRules and Regulations

Change depending on the time of Change depending on the time of yearyear– SizeSize– Start timeStart time

Different for commercial vs. Different for commercial vs. recreational crabbersrecreational crabbers– QuantityQuantity– Start timeStart time– How much line/How many trapsHow much line/How many traps

Female vs. MaleFemale vs. Male

It is against the law to keep female crabs It is against the law to keep female crabs

Sex is determined by the apron Sex is determined by the apron

Male

Immature Female

Mature Female

MaterialsMaterials

All MethodsAll Methods– LineLine– BaitBait– Tongs/GlovesTongs/Gloves– Ruler/Measuring Ruler/Measuring

StickStick– Bushel BasketsBushel Baskets

Traps/PotsTraps/Pots– BoatBoat– Traps/PotsTraps/Pots– BuoysBuoys

Bushel Basket (approx. 5-7 dozen crabs depending on size)

Materials Cont.Materials Cont.

HandlineHandline– NetNet

TrotlineTrotline– BoatBoat– NetNet– 2 Anchors2 Anchors– 2 Lengths of Chain2 Lengths of Chain– 2 Buoys2 Buoys– RollerRoller

Roller

Wire Net

Traps/Pots SetupTraps/Pots Setup

Tie one end of the Tie one end of the line to top of trap/potline to top of trap/pot

Tie the other end to a Tie the other end to a buoybuoy

Place a piece of bait Place a piece of bait inside the trapinside the trap

Place the traps in the Place the traps in the water and waitwater and wait

Crab Trap

Crab Pot

Traps vs. PotsTraps vs. Pots

Placing the baitPlacing the bait– Traps have bait tied downTraps have bait tied down– Pots have a chamber for the baitPots have a chamber for the bait

Letting them sitLetting them sit– Traps must be pulled up frequentlyTraps must be pulled up frequently– Pots can be left alone for extended periods Pots can be left alone for extended periods

Pulling them out of the water Pulling them out of the water – Traps must be pulled up quickly to trap the Traps must be pulled up quickly to trap the

crab insidecrab inside– Pots can be pulled up at any speedPots can be pulled up at any speed

HandlinesHandlines

Tie a piece of bait to one end of the Tie a piece of bait to one end of the lineline

Tie the other end of the line to the dockTie the other end of the line to the dock Toss the end with the bait into the Toss the end with the bait into the

water and waitwater and wait When the line shows tension slowly pull When the line shows tension slowly pull

up the lineup the line When the crab is in sight use the net to When the crab is in sight use the net to

catch itcatch it

Trot LineTrot Line

Create set-up Create set-up shownshown

Lay trotline in Lay trotline in water approx. 6-10 water approx. 6-10 feet deepfeet deep

Position boat next Position boat next to one buoyto one buoy

Place the line over Place the line over the rollerthe roller

Slowly drive the boat towards the other buoySlowly drive the boat towards the other buoy

Trot Line Cont.Trot Line Cont.

Watch out for crabs as the baited line Watch out for crabs as the baited line crosses over the rollercrosses over the roller

Dip the net into the water and catch Dip the net into the water and catch the crabthe crab

Dump the crab out of the net and into Dump the crab out of the net and into the bushel basketthe bushel basket

Continue until the 2Continue until the 2ndnd buoy is reached buoy is reached Remove the line from the roller after Remove the line from the roller after

the 2the 2ndnd chain passes. chain passes. Repeat process until satisfiedRepeat process until satisfied

Handling the CrabsHandling the Crabs

Once the crabs are out of the Once the crabs are out of the waterwater– Use tongs or gloves to handle the Use tongs or gloves to handle the

crabs one at a timecrabs one at a time– Measure the crabs and sort themMeasure the crabs and sort them

Throw back crabs that are too smallThrow back crabs that are too small Put the keepers into a bushel basketPut the keepers into a bushel basket

Tips and AdviceTips and Advice

Wear closed toed shoesWear closed toed shoes When netting When netting

– Smooth and quick movementsSmooth and quick movements– Place net under crab and scoop Place net under crab and scoop

upwardsupwards Be patientBe patient Don’t give up! Practice makes Don’t give up! Practice makes

perfect!perfect!

QuestionsQuestions??