Planning on relocating somewhere near Summerville soon. Any info. on blue crabs would be much appreciated. In the Chesapeake Bay we use topless traps, ring nets, and trotlines. Anyone around here using trotlines for crabs?
There are no crabs here, all of them got shipped to the Chesapeake area…
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I heard Pea had…nevermind.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Tell me more about these “topless traps” …
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
Welcome to the site.
Crabbr, What area of the Chesapeake are you referring to? I have seen the trot lines used on a Roland Martin episode that was filmed around the upper Chesapeake around Maryland. I have not seen that used here in the Charleston area. In the lower Chesapeake around the Craddock, Occohannock, and Nassawadox creeks some crabbers would use a technique called scraping(sp). I believe that was more for commercial crabbing. Around here, most people set out crab pots (check regulations). People also used hand lines using raw chicken for bait, or the rings that you mentioned, and hand line traps that close when you pull them up. Like killinR, I would like to know exactly what the topless traps are about. Finally, if you can find a good private dock to use to set out the crab pots, you will have a lot less tampering and thieving of the traps.
17’ Islander,
60hp Evinrude
I have made over 30 of these topless traps, they stack better on the deck for transport. The bait is held in the center of the trap using a snood made of bungee cord.
Crabr,
Never heard of traps like that. The ones you see around here are big cubes with holes on the sides. The inside is filled with fish scraps and a line with a buoy is attached. The trap is left out for a couple days and then when you return it usually has some inside. I use blue crabs for bait pretty often and usually just buy a dozen at any seafood store.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
where do you buy bluecrabs in Mt P?
I like to put a turkey neck on a line with lots of weight. Drop the turkey neck in areas were several creeks come together. Wait until you feel some tugs, slowly pull up turkey neck and have a net ready to scoop up the crab. I have caught dozens of crabs like this with only a few hours of crabbing.
Good luck.