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How to Go Crabbing. Kimberly Llewellyn December 9, 2008. Table of Contents. Rules and Regulations Female vs. Male Crabs Materials Needed Methods Traps/Pots Handlines Trotline Handling Crabs Tips and Advice. Rules and Regulations. Change depending on the time of year Size Start time
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How to Go Crabbing Kimberly Llewellyn December 9, 2008
Table of Contents • Rules and Regulations • Female vs. Male Crabs • Materials Needed • Methods • Traps/Pots • Handlines • Trotline • Handling Crabs • Tips and Advice
Rules and Regulations • Change depending on the time of year • Size • Start time • Different for commercial vs. recreational crabbers • Quantity • Start time • How much line/How many traps
It is against the law to keep female crabs Sex is determined by the apron Female vs. Male Male Immature Female Mature Female
All Methods Line Bait Tongs/Gloves Ruler/Measuring Stick Bushel Baskets Traps/Pots Boat Traps/Pots Buoys Materials Bushel Basket (approx. 5-7 dozen crabs depending on size)
Materials Cont. • Handline • Net • Trotline • Boat • Net • 2 Anchors • 2 Lengths of Chain • 2 Buoys • Roller Wire Net Roller
Traps/Pots Setup • Tie one end of the line to top of trap/pot • Tie the other end to a buoy • Place a piece of bait inside the trap • Place the traps in the water and wait Crab Trap Crab Pot
Traps vs. Pots • Placing the bait • Traps have bait tied down • Pots have a chamber for the bait • Letting them sit • Traps must be pulled up frequently • Pots can be left alone for extended periods • Pulling them out of the water • Traps must be pulled up quickly to trap the crab inside • Pots can be pulled up at any speed
Handlines • Tie a piece of bait to one end of the line • Tie the other end of the line to the dock • Toss the end with the bait into the water and wait • When the line shows tension slowly pull up the line • When the crab is in sight use the net to catch it
Create set-up shown Lay trotline in water approx. 6-10 feet deep Position boat next to one buoy Place the line over the roller Slowly drive the boat towards the other buoy Trot Line
Trot Line Cont. • Watch out for crabs as the baited line crosses over the roller • Dip the net into the water and catch the crab • Dump the crab out of the net and into the bushel basket • Continue until the 2nd buoy is reached • Remove the line from the roller after the 2nd chain passes. • Repeat process until satisfied
Handling the Crabs • Once the crabs are out of the water • Use tongs or gloves to handle the crabs one at a time • Measure the crabs and sort them • Throw back crabs that are too small • Put the keepers into a bushel basket
Tips and Advice • Wear closed toed shoes • When netting • Smooth and quick movements • Place net under crab and scoop upwards • Be patient • Don’t give up! Practice makes perfect!