I have put crab traps in Cowichan Bay for over 30 years in the same area. I know that the traps didn't float off or the floats get pulled under because of current. My lines are always weighted as not to snarl in boaters props. All that being said I am pretty certain my traps were stolen as I have never lost 4 traps in one year let alone 2 in one day. I think the only rational solution is to not leave your traps unguarded.
illegal to submerge your floats - thats a stupid and dangerous idea.quote:Originally posted by MRACER
what are the thoughts on marking the way point on your GPS and sinking the float below water level---I know I have tangled my prop in improperly set traps before and cussed profusely, but losing traps time after time sucks--
I have to agree not a good idea. Very dangerous to vessels coming out of the bay. I am surprised to here it is bad in there. I have the same traps I have used for 3 years in that area. Never had mine stolen but I let them soak for only a few hours at a time.quote:Originally posted by nedarb2
illegal to submerge your floats - thats a stupid and dangerous idea.quote:Originally posted by MRACER
what are the thoughts on marking the way point on your GPS and sinking the float below water level---I know I have tangled my prop in improperly set traps before and cussed profusely, but losing traps time after time sucks--
I have seen many traps get hauled off with sailboats/boats in the bay ( getting dragged accidentally), so that is always a possibility. If you have a boat drag it a little the trap would get submerged, and that would be the end of it.
Well anyhow thanks for the warning. I will keep my eye out.
Smiley66
I like!!!quote:Originally posted by bondo
I set a string of barbed tri-hooks in my crab trap lines so anyone pulling them up not suspecting them get thier hands shredded! Had one stolen recently i hope the guy who took it has his hands bandeged up!
Why would DFO be checking crab traps? To see if there's illegal chicken in there or something? I've never seen them check traps before. If someone runs over a clearly visable floating buoy then they should re-do their boating license exam. Even if they did mistakenly run over one, they wouldn't need to pull the whole trap up to untangle it from the prop. If they drop their trap too close to another one then they should just give up crabbing entirely due to lack of common sense!quote:Originally posted by knucklebuster
Nice! so if DFO checks them, or someone gets them tangled in a prop or another crab line and needs to handle it, they get a nice surprise. just make sure you have a phone # on there so they can find you.[B)] I know it's frustrating. I lose about 2 a year in Cow bay but it's the cost of crabbing. Your answer is not the right one.quote:Originally posted by bondo
I set a string of barbed tri-hooks in my crab trap lines so anyone pulling them up not suspecting them get thier hands shredded! Had one stolen recently i hope the guy who took it has his hands bandeged up!
a total MILF.Man I Love Fishing
I had a weighted line, big visable buoy and a nice string of anti-theft near the bottom of my line above the trap. Just don't like to lose a trap to some would be punks out there. That is all
DFO checks crab traps on a regular basis. They check for bouy markings and to see of they are rot cord compliant. There's a whole stack of traps in the lockup at their new headquarters in Duncan. Perhaps people who have lost traps can go down and see if theirs are there in that pile. I'm pretty sure you'll be paying your fine before they release them.
Dave
Cow Bay is fairly large, wondering where you, or whomever has lost a trap, were setting them? And for how long.
Guess what I'm trying to identify is if there is a particular area that should be avoided?
I've never lost a trap there, but I don't set in or beside the anchored flotilla off the boat launch area, nor do I leave them overnight.
traps were set for 6 hrs. in 60 ft. of water between Wilcuma lodge and Cherry Point.
Bu**er!
Thats in what I consider a "safe" area, not too much traffic, far enough from the bay, and the boat launch, that anybody out there ususlly has a purpose, besides raiding traps.
I'll pay more attention to mine. Thanks
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