Crab Pots

There are various methods to catching crab, crab pots being the most cost and time effective. They are much sturdier and can be used for many years over than using dip nets. You can catch much more crab using pots, (crab traps), also, which can save a lot of time and hassle.

Dip Net Crabbing

Dip nets are a lot like fishing nets that you use for fish and they can be a lot of fun. The con is that they don't last as long as basic pots do, but the pro is that they are easy on the pocketbook!

There are two types of dip nets, long and short handled.

Short handled dip nets are used by a crabber who likes to wade through shallow waters at low tide searching for crabs that maybe close to shore. The wader usually tows a tub or gunny sack to hold the catch so that both hands will be free to use the net.

Long handled dip nets are used by crabbers on high docks or from boats while trolling slowly along the ocean areas where the crab habitat.

Crab Ring Nets

Here are crab ring nets, which is a basket that is made of two iron hoops and cotton or nylon mesh. The upper hoop is larger in diameter than the lower one and allows the net to lie flat when the device is lowered to the bottom. Bait is tied to the bottom, and the crab has easy access to it while the net is flat. When the device is hauled rapidly to the surface, it forms a basket in which the crabs are temporarily trapped. These nets must be tended quite frequently as nothing keeps the crab in them except its desire for the bait. This is why we, personally, prefer using crab pots for crabbing.

Types of Crab Pots

This first picture shows a round crab trap. Unique in that it has 2-8X4 inch entry ways that the crab can enter in. The have a trigger device when the crabs enter in the crab traps that prevents them to escape. Some state regulations require an escape hatch bound with a biodegradable cord which will rot away and allow the crab to escape if the pot is lost. So check state regulations and make sure you're "legal" or they will fine you. This rule is for all crab pots, not the dip nets or ring nets, as the crab can escape using those. These pots can run you in the $125-150 range.

These square pots are the ones we, from Crab-O-licious use. They stack nicely and are easy to build up getting ready for crabbing and they are easy tear down at the end of the day. They basically just snap together. Another great thing about these square crab traps is that they have 4 openings for the crabs to enter in. When done using them, they are easy to store as they fold up and they don't take up much space. For just the square pot you will spend around $20-25...with buoy, rope and bait pouch-only around $40-50, which is a pretty good deal.

This last triangular pot is not only last, but our least favorite type of trap to use. We will, more than likely, never buy one ever again! I don't know who invented these traps, but they are really a nuisance to build AND break down! They're put together in good material as the square crab pots, but to hold them together they have a plastic tube over the wire basket and it really a hassle to get the sides lined up and into the plastic tube. If you don't trust us with anything else, please, do not buy the triangular crab pots! Save yourself and your time! I hate to sound brutal, but, we, personally, don't know anyone who has tried them and liked them. We use the ones we have for decoration only! Wouldn't you know, they ARE the cheapest? But if you insist, don't say we didn't warn you. They will run between $7-12.

Is today a good day for crabbing? Oh Ya!....Happy Crabbing!

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