whats the longest can i let a fully stuffed baited crab pot sit before i need to empty it before they might die? i baited them at 1830 today and plan on going back tuesday morning.
no expert here, but i’m pretty sure pots must be checked every 24 hours. i think you are allowed 2 pots per person without needing a permit.i believe the solid float needs to have owner’s name and phone #on it.
the deadliest catch guys do it like 18 hours tops 
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5 days. It’s in the regs.
However, I have “lost” 3 pots to tide or freeloaders. I don’t think it was tide as I added 10lbs of weight.
It’s no fun taking the kids back to see how we did and have nothing but my float up in the reeds. Yeah, I’m sure the tide cut the line. I’m tired of donating to the lazy and unethical.
From http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/crabregs.html
If unattended each pot float must bear name and address or license number of owner.
No crab pot shall be left unattended in coastal waters more than 5 days.
No crab trap or pot may be set within 200 yards of a public boat landing or launching area or set so as to be left dry at low tide.
A float attached to a crab pot or trap must be made of solid, buoyant material which does not sink upon being punctured or cracked. The floats must be constructed of plastic, PVC Spongex, plastic foam, or cork. The primary float for a recreational pot or trap must be yellow in color and at least ten inches in length if rectangular, cylindrical, or conical and at least five inches in diameter or width. Round or spherical floats must be at least six inches in diameter. Buoy lines for crab pots must be made of nonfloating material.
sealevelPete
wow, 5 days? i bet once they eat all the bait, the eat each other.
they do eat each other. thanks for all the info
quote:
Originally posted by SeaLevelPete5 days. It’s in the regs.
However, I have “lost” 3 pots to tide or freeloaders. I don’t think it was tide as I added 10lbs of weight.
From http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/crabregs.html
If unattended each pot float must bear name and address or license number of owner.
No crab pot shall be left unattended in coastal waters more than 5 days.
No crab trap or pot may be set within 200 yards of a public boat landing or launching area or set so as to be left dry at low tide.
A float attached to a crab pot or trap must be made of solid, buoyant material which does not sink upon being punctured or cracked. The floats must be constructed of plastic, PVC Spongex, plastic foam, or cork. The primary float for a recreational pot or trap must be yellow in color and at least ten inches in length if rectangular, cylindrical, or conical and at least five inches in diameter or width. Round or spherical floats must be at least six inches in diameter. Buoy lines for crab pots must be made of nonfloating material.sealevelPete
I am glad to see the regs on this…there are two pots under the IOP Connector in Hamlin Creek that have been there for well over a year. I have called and emailed the DNR and they say thanks and don’t touch them…but so far they have not removed them. I have seen officers putt-putt right by them several times…even asked a couple of them in a jon boat one day if they would get them and they said they would on the way back…oh well.
reelly…
two days tops, after that the bait is gone and they start eating other crabs in the trap
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you shouldn’t leave them any longer then 2 days they are suposed to be checked every 24 hrs but DNR will let you go 48 hrs after that anyone can get them as abandoned here in Hilton Head the tree huggers will get them some are nice enough just to let the crabs go empty the rest of the bait and close up all entrys and put them back at least you get to keep your traps but any way you shouldn’t leave them longer then 2 days they will run out of bait and then they will start to eat each other tight lines guys heave a good & safe holiday…