Hey there fellow fishermen! I’ve been in the commercial fishing industry for over 15 years and today I’m gonna share my knowledge about building effective shrimp trawl doors. These bad boys are crucial for keeping your net open while trawling so let’s dive right in!
What You’ll Need
Before we start building, here’s what you need to gather:
- Marine-grade plywood (3/4 inch thick)
- Stainless steel hardware
- Metal brackets and hinges
- Galvanized chain
- Heavy-duty rope
- Marine sealant/paint
- Basic tools (drill, saw, wrench set)
Understanding Trawl Door Basics
Let me tell ya, trawl doors ain’t just simple wooden boards! They’re carefully designed panels that work with water pressure to keep your net spread wide The typical door angle while towing is between 30-40 degrees – this is super important for optimal performance.
Step-by-Step Construction Guide
1. Door Panel Construction
First things first we gotta build the main panel
- Cut your plywood to size (typically 4×2 feet for small-medium operations)
- Reinforce edges with metal brackets
- Apply multiple coats of marine sealant
- Sand between coats for smooth finish
Pro tip: I always add an extra layer of reinforcement at the towing points – learned that the hard way!
2. Adding the Shoe
The shoe is crucial for bottom contact:
- Cut metal strip to match door length
- Attach using bolts every 8 inches
- Ensure smooth curve at front edge
- Add wear plate at heel
3. Installing Chain Brackets
Here’s where many folks mess up. You need:
- 2 brackets at top
- 2 brackets at bottom
- 1 center bracket for adjustment
Table of recommended bracket positions:
| Position | Distance from Edge | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Top Front | 6 inches | Towing point |
| Top Back | 4 inches | Stability |
| Bottom | 8 inches | Ground contact |
4. Rigging Setup
This is where the magic happens:
- Attach main towing chain
- Install adjustment chain
- Add stabilizer ropes
- Connect to bridles
Fine-Tuning Your Doors
Listen up, cause this part’s important! Your doors need proper tuning:
- Start with middle chain settings
- Test in calm water
- Watch door behavior
- Adjust chain lengths as needed
Common Problems and Solutions
We’ve all been there! Here’s what to watch for:
-
Doors not spreading:
- Check chain angles
- Verify towing speed
- Adjust bridle length
-
Excessive wear:
- Reinforce wear points
- Check bottom contact
- Adjust shoe angle
Maintenance Tips
I can’t stress this enough – maintenance is key! Here’s what I do:
- Check hardware monthly
- Replace worn shoes
- Touch up paint/sealant
- Inspect chains for wear
Advanced Modifications
Once you’ve got the basics down, try these upgrades:
- Add flow vents
- Install kick-back prevention
- Modify shoe design for different bottoms
Safety Considerations
Let’s be real – safety first! Always:
- Wear proper PPE
- Use appropriate lifting equipment
- Keep clear during deployment
- Check weather conditions
Cost Breakdown
Here’s a rough estimate of what you’re looking at:
- Plywood: $150-200
- Hardware: $200-300
- Chains/Rope: $100-150
- Paint/Sealant: $50-75
- Total: $500-725
Real-World Performance
In my experience, well-built doors last 2-3 seasons with proper maintenance. They’re definitely worth the investment compared to store-bought options.
Final Thoughts
Building your own trawl doors might seem daunting at first, but trust me, it’s totally doable! Just take your time, follow these steps, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments based on your specific needs.
Remember, every fishing operation is different, so what works for me might need tweaking for you. The key is understanding the basic principles and being willing to experiment a bit.
If you’ve got any questions, drop ’em in the comments below. We’re all in this together, and I’m always happy to help fellow fishermen out!
Happy fishing, y’all!
Additional Resources
- Local fishing cooperatives
- Marine supply stores
- Experienced trawler captains
- Online fishing forums
Note: Always check local regulations regarding trawl door specifications and fishing requirements in your area.
Would you like me to explain any part in more detail? I’m happy to share more specific experiences or technical aspects of the build process!
Shrimp Trawl Net Legal Considerations
Of course, like all things in this world, there are limits on when, where, and how we can go recreational shrimping. It is totally up to the recreational shrimper to know the current rules and regulations, and they do change from time to time.Advertisement
To begin, on our northern Gulf Coast region, private individuals can trawl for shrimp during open seasons in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Florida does not allow recreational shrimpers to use any kind of towed net to take shrimp.
My long-time friend and small boat shrimp trawler Justin Ishee offers his experience to us about recreational shrimping.
“In Alabama you can purchase a recreational license which allows you to catch a five-gallon bucket of shrimp per trip for around $28 annually. A commercial license is around $100 and you can keep any amount,” Ishee said. “You can keep crabs and fish such as white trout, flounder, ground mullet, but you’re not supposed to keep game fish, and to be fair, I’ve never caught any in all my years of shrimping.”
There are several specific regulations for recreational shrimpers in Alabama. Make sure you do your homework in your state before hitting the water. AdvertisementAd could not be loaded.Advertisement
Deploying a Shrimp Net
Actually putting a recreational shrimp trawl net out from a boat takes some organization and procedure to keep everything in place and going right. It helps to have some experience with a veteran shrimper aboard on the first few trips.
Ishee says, “One of the most important things to make sure of when you set the net out – don’t flip a door, and make sure your net is busting open. As you pull forward and are busting the doors open and letting out the rope, you need to keep a good tension on the doors as you let out the rope. Be careful to not get caught in the rope, and when you do let go of the last bit of rope, you need to make sure you’re not going too fast because the initial jerk can sometimes lodge the doors into the mud.”
“We usually tow at 2.2 to 2.3 knots. You don’t want to pull too fast because you can pick the net up off the bottom, and if you create a pressure bulge in front of the net, the shrimp can feel this and get out of the way. Obviously you don’t want to pull too slowly because the shrimp will outrun the net, and you’re not covering as much ground and maximizing your time,” Ishee added. “Typically we will pull for 30 minutes at first, and then if we are catching shrimp, we will pull for an hour.”
Ishee said that a special consideration for shrimpers catching live shrimp for bait is to limit the time that they pull.
“When live-bait shrimping, typically you only want to pull for 5-8 minutes so you don’t kill your bait,” Ishee said. “A good pull for thirty minutes will usually produce 10-15 pounds of shrimp. If you catch more than 20 pounds on a drag, you need to drag for an hour and get ready to fill the boxes.”
Shrimp Trawl Part 1–Setting Up the Trawl
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