My father-in-law lives at Bohicket Marina and has recreationally crabbed the creek for years with his two allowed pots. This summer, however, someone(s) has been raiding his traps, emptying them and at times moving them as well.
Anyone else out there having this problem? DNR involved in going after pot raiders? Any advice short of laying in the flat with a flashlight and some protection?
I live on Daniel Island, I also have had my two traps stolen this summer. The traps were on Beresford creek near the boat launch.
I do fish every week and see many crab trap floats there but someone just decided to take mine. Its sad these days that even a crab trap is not safe.
I was fishing with two guides the other day, they even told me they have had their traps stolen, not sure where that was.
I did speak with law enforcment, they said it was a concern this year , more than others, but without them seeing it happen, they cant do anything.
If anyone has ideas on how to catch these people let us know.
24’ SeaPro, 250 Yammaha
a few years ago I had 2 sets of pots stolen and crabs removed. I spoke with Feralis McKnight with DNR and they had a pretty good idea who was doing it based on the are that I crabbed. I would surely call DNR and report it.
And the sea shall grant each man new hope as sleep brings dreams of home ~ Don Cristobol
The Morris Island Lighthouse web page
www.savethelight.org
Uh, hello, it is called redistribution of wealth. Those that have (you) should be happy to provide for those that don’t have. Seems fair doesn’t it?
Crabbers have a hard life.When trout season picks up they need to move the traps out of trout trolling creeks.Or at least out of the trolling path.Fisherman trolling will move traps or some stupid guys will cut lines.My creek is hard to get into and the crabber sets the traps in the deepest part of my creek.Problem is its only 3-4 feet deep and when i try to get in i have 100 feet of line to get around.I have had my prop wrapped before.Crabbers have a right to drop pots but i also have the right to go up a creek and not be boxed in by 100 feet of rope i can’t see.Right now my creek is full of traps.One is right of my dock.I thought they could not drop a trap close to a private dock? This crabber also goes past my dock wide open about 20 feet from my float bouncing it around pretty good.I can’t fish off my dock with out catching the pot or the line.
Stonoman
quote:
Its sad these days that even a crab trap is not safe.
It is really sad. The same thing goes for minnow traps. You used to be able to leave one out and come get it a few hours later or the next day. I’ve had two stolen this year, so now I have to sit there and wait about thirty minutes. Unbelievable!
Nothing but a “SMART-ELLIC”!
There’s always an asshat that spoils every ones fun.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
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I have never seen 100 ft of rope on a crab pot. The line also sinks and unless your running across the pot you shouldn’t be getting tangled in it. It’s an 18 pt violation to mess with a crab pot , so most commercial guys won’t risk loosing thier income for a year over stealing someones trap. I have , however seen weekend warriors rob someone elses pots. I say set up a sting. It’s a ticket someone won’t forget.
Trout…MMMMMMMMMMMMMM…trout
I remember there was a run of crab pot theives when I was a kid, I remember hearing of booby traps. I am pretty sure that is illegal though or at least the possible collateral damage is pretty high.
quote:
they even told me they have had their traps stolen
Someone is selling two crab traps on Craigs List right now…Hmmm?
http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/1334641222.html
Nothing but a “SMART-ELLIC”!
Its called High tieds people. You dont have enough iron and your pot is drug away. Even post with double irons can get drug. As far as your pots being robbed put a ziptie on the opening if it is gone when you come back you were robbed. If it is still there and pot is empty your doing something wrong.
Like some one mentioned the commerical guys arent the ones messing with your pots.
Stonoman the reason that the crabers have 100 ft of line in your 4 ft deep creek is b/c those pots might be in 40 foot of water in 2 months. They have just as much right to the creek as you.
We have crabs stolen from our pots all the time, and it’s just disgusting. I staple notes to the dock to beg and plead that if they have to steal they take just what’s legal. It’s not the commercial guys, either, as they rarely set pots on our little creek. Crabbing is work, and it sucks to plan an evening of fresh steamed crabs with your neighgbors to go see your pots empty from having robbed. It’s clear for the robbers to see the pots are being worked, too. It’s stealing, plain and simple. And, you know they’re not taking the time to release the shorts and the girls (not that taking girls is illegal - we just let them go so we’ll have more to catch later)
quote:
Originally posted by Edisto82Like some one mentioned the commerical guys arent the ones messing with your pots
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>In my case I will beg to differ with you.
And the sea shall grant each man new hope as sleep brings dreams of home ~ Don Cristobol
The Morris Island Lighthouse web page
www.savethelight.org
Listen to Edisto. I thought I had some pots getting robbed. Turned out I suck at crabbing.
Capt. Graham Hegamyer
Southern Tail Charters
Light-Tackle Inshore
843.991.8372
www.SouthernTailCharters.com
I’d be lying if I said we’d not eated girl crabs, Bonzo. We just get so many (when the pots aren’t robbed) that we’re in the habit of tossing the girls back. Like to think it makes a difference, but I really have no idea…
quote:
Originally posted by h20gulI’d be lying if I said we’d not eated girl crabs, Bonzo
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>I am confused…
And the sea shall grant each man new hope as sleep brings dreams of home ~ Don Cristobol
The Morris Island Lighthouse web page
www.savethelight.org
“Stonoman the reason that the crabers have 100 ft of line in your 4 ft deep creek is b/c those pots might be in 40 foot of water in 2 months. They have just as much right to the creek as you.”
Copied directly from the DNR website:
"No trap may be set so as to obstruct navigation in any creek or other navigable water course, access point, or
mooring point. A trap determined by the Department to be in violation of this section may be removed by the
Department and disposed of as provided in this chapter. [Section 50-5-555 (D)]
No trap may be placed within six hundred feet of a public boat ramp or launching area. [Section 50-5-555 (A)]
No trap may be set so as to leave any portion of the trap dry at any stage of the tide. [Section 50-5-555 (B)]
No floating line or rope may be used. [Section 50-5-550 (A)]
Commercial guys make thier living off of the public resource and sometimes need to remember it’s not “thier” resource but the publics. Most commercial guys follow the rules and are a great asset to the community, unfortunantly it’s the few of them that don’t respect the resource or the laws that hamper the honest ones, just as in recreational fishing and hunting.
Russ B.
Psalm 55:22
My bad, Bonzo. You were replying to Edisto - not me. My apolgies.
BTW, steamed up about 50 big jimmies last night to share with some neighbors. Sure were mighty tasty.
T2B1, right on…The right is to share the creek, not take it over
20’ Proline Sport
I just got 2 new traps from the upstate. Dad saw them on the side of the road with a note ($45 for 3) so he picked them up. I have 2 older ones I use to use and one that is pretty new i can sell real cheap. If anyone is down let me know. I promise I am not a raider just a personal crabber who feels the pain with some old traps for sale.
Like Southern tail said. I thought I just sucked at crabbing until i saw that the door on my traps was open and I had mullett in there (when i put in chicken). Someone took all mine and rebaited but left the door open. That kinda pissed me off.
“My fish served a whole lunchon. Your fish look like a munchkin”
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