crab trap choice for for "chucking" off a dock

[Alexievich]

Just curious as I want to pick up a trap I can hurl off a dock and retrieve without the use of a boat.

I've seen two small designs/types:
- pyramid shaped with sides that open up on the bottom
- Cube shaped with sides that open up on the bottom

These seem so cheap that I wonder if they are any good. With the clearance sale on fishing gear at Zellers right now they're less than $5. So I was curious which design would be easier to "cast/chuck/hurl". I bought the pyramid one but now that I look at it assembled, it seem that it never really closes when retrieved.

I'm just looking for another activity to share with the kids while we are shore casting.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Alex

... "high water" is when you can fish from your car.

 

[knucklebuster]

Pyramid traps are O.K. if you can pull them frequently.Although I have never tried tossing them.Some areas ,like Pender Harbour and Fulford harbour only allow those and 'hoop' style traps.
The square type(blue or black) work great but I also think better if slowly lowered.By tossing,there is a good chance of a door getting stuck open.I don't see a great advantage to throwing.Get a bait cage and secure in center.Fill with chicken backs.We call the square traps'diners' as the crabs can leave quite easily.Hence,tying a cage inside.You want the crab to be able to get to the food a little.This will keep him there.If he can't get some,he will leave.If its not secure,he will take it with him.Maximum I would leave these traps down without checking is a couple of hours.Check every 30 min is good.Use the stinkiest,rottenest bait you can find.This will draw more crab and draw them past other bait to yours.Trust me.I've been doing this for years and have people ask me all the time why I get so many more(and bigger) crabs than they do.But also,I use X commercial traps that I will leave in for up to a week at a time.Friends of mine use the square traps and do real good.You just can't leave them for overnighters as successfully.

a total MILF.Man I Love Fishing

 

[nedarb2]

If you get the square traps and the doors are sticky or dont swing easily just bend open the "hinge" on the top

To fish or not to fish,
What a stupid question!
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish, and he will sit on a boat drinking beer for a life time
TGIF =Thank God It Floats

 

[scott craven]

i don't give crab credit for great intelligence,
but they sure figger a way to get out of those "diner's"
someone once told me (could be b.s) that when the food is gone
one crab will push a gate in allowing everyone in side to get out.

scotty

 

[knucklebuster]

quote:
i don't give crab credit for great intelligence,
but they sure figger a way to get out of those "diner's"
someone once told me (could be b.s) that when the food is gone
one crab will push a gate in allowing everyone in side to get out.

scotty

I believe this to be true.Since they walk sideways,they are pointed on the end and they seem to just get the door on the right angle and push through,lifting it up.I have watched them do this in clear water.
Funny thing.I have left them at times overnight and they were packed in the morning.Go figure.
I have also heard,when throwing out undersized crabs,that if you have a female to keep her inside.Maybe the big male crab isn't hungary but may have something else on his mind.

a total MILF.Man I Love Fishing

 

[Dogbreath]

For throwing traps look for the half moon types not the pyramids which are a POS.

The square traps are made so cheaply now it's not even funny.

The doors are a POS altogether Kevin from Bonnielee Charters told me that wrapping some pencil lead around the doors to make 'em heavier raised his catch rate noticeably.

I quite disagree re: stinkng bait I like the freshest I can find halibut heads being the best of all.

One day I'd like to take some prawn heads and some cooking oil, mix up into a slurry in a blender and freeze it in a Scotty bait jar that was drilled full of holes.

Put the frozen gunk down and as it thaws the oil/prawn ooze should draw 'em in.

In any case Crabs aren't any too fussy which is why I won't eat Crab guts like some people.

 

[MyEscape]

I have used the square cages for years but I use weighted doors so the tide doesn't swing them open!!!! I put my bait in a bait cage so it's harder to get at and I launch them off the dock. Beware of the rope as not to get it near your legs when launching. I find chicken backs yeild the best returns.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Cheers Just an opinion.

Kev

 

[Alexievich]

Thanks for all of the guidance. I think I'll return the pyramid trap and pick up one of the square ones instead. I'll admit that I didn't choose that style at first because it looked like too many hinges and moving parts involved for something I would be throwing in.

The bait cage makes sense too as the cage is completely open when it sits on the bottom ... first big crab would just walk off with it. I have a bunch of herring I jigged up last year and still didn't use; I'll try some of them for bait.

Maybe I'll just buy both and compare ... a bit of a stretch for me financially but I'll fork out the extra $4. I have a theory about helping the pyramid close. I inherited a number of heavy metal rings 3-4" in diameter. I wonder if I drop that down the line as I start to lift the trap if the ring weight will help keep the pyramid closed.

Last questions though:

1) If I weight the doors with pencil lead do I still need to strap a bigger weight inside the bottom?

2) Someone told me that every "other" month is best for catching crab but I can't remember which month pattern it is.

Cheers,
Alex

... "high water" is when you can fish from your car.

 

[MyEscape]

No you don't have to weight the box traps. I bought the replacement doors that have weights on them but I am shure with some inginuity you could do it your self. I found months with the letter R in them are the best yeilding months for crab.

Cheers ME