How to Go Crabbing Kimberly Llewellyn December 9, 2008

Table of Contents Rules and Regulations Rules and Regulations Female vs. Male Crabs Female vs. Male Crabs Materials Needed Materials Needed Methods Methods –Traps/Pots –Handlines –Trotline Handling Crabs Handling Crabs Tips and Advice Tips and Advice

Rules and Regulations Change depending on the time of year Change depending on the time of year –Size –Start time Different for commercial vs. recreational crabbers Different for commercial vs. recreational crabbers –Quantity –Start time –How much line/How many traps

Female vs. Male It is against the law to keep female crabs It is against the law to keep female crabs Sex is determined by the apron Sex is determined by the apron MaleImmature FemaleMature Female

Materials All Methods All Methods –Line –Bait –Tongs/Gloves –Ruler/Measuring Stick –Bushel Baskets Traps/Pots Traps/Pots –Boat –Traps/Pots –Buoys Bushel Basket (approx dozen crabs depending on size)

Materials Cont. Handline Handline –Net Trotline Trotline –Boat –Net –2 Anchors –2 Lengths of Chain –2 Buoys –Roller Roller Wire Net

Traps/Pots Setup Tie one end of the line to top of trap/pot Tie one end of the line to top of trap/pot Tie the other end to a buoy Tie the other end to a buoy Place a piece of bait inside the trap Place a piece of bait inside the trap Place the traps in the water and wait Place the traps in the water and wait Crab Trap Crab Pot

Traps vs. Pots Placing the bait Placing the bait –Traps have bait tied down –Pots have a chamber for the bait Letting them sit Letting them sit –Traps must be pulled up frequently –Pots can be left alone for extended periods Pulling them out of the water 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 a piece of bait to one end of the line Tie the other end of the line to the dock Tie the other end of the line to the dock Toss the end with the bait into the water and wait Toss the end with the bait into the water and wait When the line shows tension slowly pull up the line When the line shows tension slowly pull up the line When the crab is in sight use the net to catch it When the crab is in sight use the net to catch it

Trot Line Create set-up shown Create set-up shown Lay trotline in water approx feet deep Lay trotline in water approx feet deep Position boat next to one buoy Position boat next to one buoy Place the line over the roller Place the line over the roller Slowly drive the boat towards the other buoy Slowly drive the boat towards the other buoy

Trot Line Cont. Watch out for crabs as the baited line crosses over the roller Watch out for crabs as the baited line crosses over the roller Dip the net into the water and catch the crab Dip the net into the water and catch the crab Dump the crab out of the net and into the bushel basket Dump the crab out of the net and into the bushel basket Continue until the 2 nd buoy is reached Continue until the 2 nd buoy is reached Remove the line from the roller after the 2 nd chain passes. Remove the line from the roller after the 2 nd chain passes. Repeat process until satisfied Repeat process until satisfied

Handling the Crabs Once the crabs are out of the water 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 Throw back crabs that are too small Put the keepers into a bushel basket Put the keepers into a bushel basket

Tips and Advice Wear closed toed shoes Wear closed toed shoes When netting When netting –Smooth and quick movements –Place net under crab and scoop upwards Be patient Be patient Don’t give up! Practice makes perfect! Don’t give up! Practice makes perfect!

Questions?