As a new crabber one of the first things you’ll need to learn is how crab pots function. Understanding the mechanics of a crab trap will help you become a more effective crabber and catch your dinner more efficiently. In this comprehensive guide I’ll walk through every part of a crab pot and explain exactly how it traps crabs.
An Overview of Crab Pots
Crab pots, also called crab traps, are cages designed to lure in crabs and keep them trapped inside. They work by baiting crabs into entering through funnel-shaped openings. Once inside, the crabs are unable to find their way out the same way they came in.
Crab pots utilize the natural behaviors and instincts of crabs against them Their effectiveness comes down to two key factors
- Bait – A tempting smell lures crabs into the pot
- One-way entrances – Crabs can go in but not out the same way
This simple but ingenious design allows crab pots to passively catch multiple crabs over time After leaving pots overnight, crabbers return to harvest their catch
Now let’s look at the key parts of a crab pot in more detail.
The Exterior of Crab Pots
There are a few noteworthy features on the outside of crab pots. These components allow the pots to be deployed properly and recovered after they’ve caught crabs.
Wire Mesh
Crab pots are constructed from a wire mesh cage, usually 1 to 2 feet cubed in size. The openings in the mesh are around 1 inch wide – large enough for crabs to enter but small enough to contain them.
For catching large Dungeness crabs on the West Coast, a thicker and more durable wire mesh is required. But on the East Coast, where blue crabs are smaller, a lighter wire mesh can be used.
Escape Rings
Most crab pots will have “escape rings” or “cull rings” built into the sides. These are round openings 2-5 inches in diameter that serve an important purpose.
Escape rings allow smaller juvenile crabs to exit the pot after entering. This prevents undersized crabs from being captured and gives them a chance to grow and reproduce. The rings conserve crab populations while also saving crabbers time sorting through small crabs.
Rope and Buoy
A rope attached to a floating buoy allows crab pots to be lowered into the water and retrieved later. The buoy acts as a marker, showing the location of each pot. For crabbing in large bodies of water, the rope and buoy need to be substantial to withstand currents and dragging.
Latch
A simple door or opening in the mesh allows crabs to be emptied from the pot during harvest. Some pots have a hinged door while others secure the door with a hook or cord.
The Interior Design of Crab Traps
Now let’s look at the ingenious interior design of crab pots and how they trap prey.
Funnel-Shaped Entrances
The key to catching crabs is the one-way entrances built into the pot. Openings are positioned around the pot, leading into the inner chamber.
These entrances slope inward and upwards. Crabs can easily enter the pot through these funnels, lured by the scent of bait. But the shape prevents them from finding their way out the same way.
Once a crab realizes it’s trapped, instinct causes it to move upwards away from the perceived threat. This leads them right into the pot’s holding chamber.
Bait Box
A box or container built into the floor of the crab pot holds the bait. This is what lures the crabs into the trap in the first place.
Crabbers use oily, pungent baits like raw chicken, fish, or squid. The smell appeals to crabs’ keen sense of smell. Bait is tied or wired into the box so crabs can nibble on it from all sides.
Holding Chamber
After crabs pass through the one-way entrances, they become trapped in an inner chamber. Some pots have two levels separated by more one-way entrances.
The crabs remain trapped in this chamber until the crabber returns and empties the catch into a holding container.
Setting Crab Pots for Success
Now that you understand how crab pots function, let’s go over some tips for setting them up properly:
- Place pots in areas crabs frequent – near pilings, bridges, marshes, etc.
- Weight the pots so they don’t shift or float away.
- Use fresh, oily bait in the bait box.
- Leave pots to soak overnight or up to 48 hours.
- Set pots during peak crabbing seasons and optimal tides.
- Check local regulations for size limits, permits, and catch limits.
With the right bait and location, crab pots do most of the work for you. Once you pull up a heavy, full pot, you’ll see just how effective these traps are! Patience and persistence are key.
Recreational vs. Commercial Crab Pots
The crab pots described so far are typical recreational traps for inshore crabbing. But commercial and professional setups are much larger in scale.
Commercial blue crab pots measure around 2 x 2 x 1 feet and are sturdier. The wire mesh has smaller openings to trap smaller “sook” crabs in addition to larger males.
Giant king crab pots used in Alaska waters can be 10 x 10 x 3 feet and weigh over 700 lbs! Their huge size and durability are required for capturing giant king crabs in harsh Bering Sea conditions.
While recreational and commercial pots differ in size, they operate using the same mechanisms – bait and one-way entrances. Professional crabbers simply use much larger pots in greater numbers.
Crab Fishing History and Environmental Considerationss have been catching crabs for thousands of years, but crab pots themselves are a relatively recent invention. The collapsible wire crab pot was patented by Benjamin Lewis in 1928 for catching Chesapeake blue crabs. His design revolutionized the commercial crabbing industry.
Today, millions of recreational and commercial crab pots are in use around the world. But abandoned or lost crab pots can pose an environmental hazard, continuing to trap and kill crabs and other marine life.
To address this, most crab pots are now built with biodegradable panels that decompose if pots become detached from their buoys. This allows trapped animals to escape from lost pots within a matter of days or weeks.
Additionally, many coastal states have crab pot removal programs. These volunteer efforts locate and retrieve abandoned crab pots from sensitive estuaries and habitats. Proper potting practices and retrieval helps mitigate the impacts of crab fishing on the environment.
Key Takeaways on Crab Pot Mechanics
That covers the ins and outs of how crab pots function! To recap:
- Crab pots lure crabs into a wire mesh cage using bait.
- Funnel-shaped entrances allow crabs to enter but not exit.
- An inner chamber traps crabs until the pot is retrieved.
- Buoys and ropes allow pots to be deployed and recovered.
- Crab pots utilize natural crab behaviors for passive fishing.
- Recreational and commercial pots follow the same principles.
Local crabbing can be a leisure or a commercial endeavor.
The traps, also known as crab pots or crab cages, are typically made out of mesh and have a pyramid shape with four sides. The top of the trap is open, allowing crabs to enter through the funnel-shaped entrance. Once inside, they can’t escape due to the inward-facing wires that prevent them from crawling back out. Some crab traps also have bait bags inside to attract crabs into the trap.
One important feature of these traps is the escape rings. These are openings on each side of the trap that allow smaller and undersized crabs to exit while trapping larger ones. This helps sustain the blue crab population by allowing smaller crabs to continue growing and reproducing.
Crab traps are set in shallow waters, typically around marshes, bays, or channels where crabs are known to live. These traps are not only effective at catching crabs but they also have minimal impact on the environment. They do not damage the ocean floor like other fishing methods such as trawling or dredging, making them a more sustainable option for crab harvesting.
What do crab traps look like and how do they work?
When you are kayaking, boating or dining on Hilton Head Island’s waterways, you may see some unidentified floating objects. Sometimes they are in a row, sometimes just randomly floating on the surface of the water. So what are these things? Well, they are not trash. They are crab trap buoys.
Crab trap buoys are attached to crab traps and are an essential piece of gear for any crabber. They serve two primary purposes. Visibility: Their bright colors make them easy to spot from a distance. Identification: Each buoy can be marked with unique identifiers, helping you distinguish your traps from others. They are made from high-density foam or durable plastic to withstand harsh marine environments.
Deadliest Catch – How Crab Pots Work
FAQ
How do crab pots work?
Visitors often spot collections of these square wire cages by harbors or marinas, or in front of local homes serving as yard decor. Crab pots have two holes entering into the cage that are conical and become smaller as the holes lead into the center. This makes it easy for a crab to enter the cage, but nearly impossible to exit.
What is a crab pot?
Crab pots are large cages that are used to trap the crabs. They should be made of durable materials and have a secure locking mechanism to prevent the crabs from escaping. Bait can be anything from fish heads to chicken legs, but it should be something that will attract the crabs. Once you have your equipment, it’s time to set the crab pots.
Do crab pots catch crustaceans?
Crabbing is a popular pastime for many coastal communities, as well as a significant industry in some regions. Crab pots, also known as crab traps, play a crucial role in this activity. But how exactly do these contraptions work to catch those delectable crustaceans? Let’s dive into the world of crab pots and unravel their secrets.