Crab rings

Smily · 09-03-2001, 04:39 PM

Does any body know which are the best crab rings to get?
How expensive are they?
Are there different advantages to a particular style?
I had seen 3 types and I was wondering which one to get. Does help to have multiple traps while crabbing?
Thanks,

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Smily [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Gone Fishin · 09-03-2001, 08:12 PM

Contact Mr. Bait 'O Eggs, he makes a great crab trap! See if he's got any extra for sale.

Mr. Fisherman · 09-03-2001, 09:37 PM

Smily, [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I have a couple of sets of rings with your name on them. I'll give you one and only charge you $25 for the other. They have ropes and buoys and they work great.

email me to get them.

See ya,

Ray

Salmonator · 09-03-2001, 10:34 PM

I have a few of those BOE traps and they are top notch but i'm not sure if he has that hobby anymore (his diver business takes up too much of his time [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]). Next best bet in my opinion would be the blue protocol traps if you have the money. I have had great luck with the one I have... Joe

sinker · 09-03-2001, 11:04 PM

I was in a hurry to get mine. Well a little bit of a hurry. So I got a cheapy, first one I seen.
I went to GI Joe's and they had one for $20, go across the parking lot to Wal Mart and they had the EXACT same thing for $13. Guess I don't have to tell you where I bought it.
These cheapy rings are the only ones available around here. A guy I used to work with bought his up in Anacortes, they were something like $25 and they were built for god only knows how heavy of crabs.
I was going to have him pick me up some, but I needed mine before he ever made it up there again.

Phish_on · 09-04-2001, 08:40 AM

I don't do crab rings anymore, what with sea lions & most of my crabbing is dump the traps and go fish, come back for crabs.

My observation is that the Danielson folding trap (as modified) consistently gets twice as many crabs as the big heavy commercial pot I paid $70 for. 4-door vs. 2-door I guess!

In theory, you can get more crabs with rings. But you have to have that steady pulling technique or you lose them. And pinnapeds steal your bait, and your crabs.

PeterMac · 09-04-2001, 08:54 AM

We have had great success with the slip ring type traps. When you start pulling the rope, the side curtains close, and mr. crab can go nowhere. These are great for the kids since they can't pull the the regular rings fast enough to keep the big guys in. Also, we use chicken so that the seals aren't interested. Keep your eye out at the store, and when it reaches less than $0.50 a pound, I'm a buyer.

Hummingbird · 09-04-2001, 10:53 AM

Hi smilely,
Just a word of caution,If you plan on buying the Danielson folding type, Don't drop them off in the ocean with-out fist making sure you attach plenty of weight to them.
I was all hyped up with getting my first 2 all ready with nice rope ,double buoy's rope attached with good quailty fasteners and taped up really good . My friend was laughing at me because I was using chicken for bait. I told him the seals won't get the bait and ruin my traps this way. We headed out to the Salmon fishery and fished for about 4 hours before all 5 of us got our limit of Silvers.
We went back to twin rocks where we had dropped my traps and could not find them. We lloked for a good 45 min . and nothing. What happens is the current carries them out because they are so lightweight.
I had over $100 bucks tied up in 2 traps and lost them the first time out. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] What really got me though was I wasn't able to prove to my friend that chicken works really well as bait and the Seals don't wreck your traps. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I since, have procured a small one made of rebar and plastic coated. I look forward to se how it works. Tight Lines and good crabbing.

fishbait · 09-04-2001, 12:18 PM

I have used the danilson traps for many years and am very happy. Would not us rings ever again....

Smily · 09-05-2001, 02:34 PM

3 Votes go to the Danielson.

Phish_On: What kind of modification did you do to your traps to entice them to coming in?

Hummingbird: What kind of weight and how much did you use to keep them from swimming off?

Mr. Fisherman: I am still considering your offer.

Mr. Bait 'O Eggs: Where are you?? Is it true you make these traps?

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Smily [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Phish_on · 09-05-2001, 02:58 PM

Wired 4 pieces of rebar to the bottom. Then I tweaked the "hinges" on the door part to make them swing more freely - I don't know if they are all like this (I suspect they are), but the doors seemed to get stuck open. The part that loops around the cage needs to be wider at the round part and crimped down more at the end. (Maybe this makes more sense if you are looking at one ? ? ?)

Then I twisted about an inch of lead around the cross-piece on the door, to make sure it falls closed.

I also add a bungee or two across the top ... to prevent unwanted "folding action". I never fold it up either, it always has the rope tied on and the floats inside. I bought one of their bait cages, too - it's pretty handy, easy to secure whatever bait you have. Seems like you could fabricate something similar, but it was fairly cheap.

If I need to clarify any of this, just ask. Sorry, no digital camera!!

CAGEY · 09-05-2001, 03:02 PM

I use the crab traps. Folding kind and have had them for about 10 years and have never had a problem other than a seal bashed one in pretty bad. As far as using weight i have never had a problem with the current taking one out to sea. I always use plenty of rope and pick them up befor the tide gets realy strong. They are light and i can see where that might happen so up they come befor i lose one.

Floater · 09-05-2001, 03:20 PM

After using the pots, rings and folding box style, I went out and bought the folding ones on sale from GIJoes. In 20 foot of water and two floats on 50 foot of line, I've been able to find them everytime so far. On one trip last summer, we pulled in 73, mix of red rock and dunge, in two pulls of the six traps we had.

RIPPLE · 09-06-2001, 08:48 AM

I also prefer the Danielson folding ones and would echo several things that have been said here. Add weight, (either re-bar or I actually wrapped pencil lead around the bottom) The doors need to be tuned. Play around with the hinge part and a pair of pliers till they swing easily. Then wrap pencil lead around the cross bar so the current can't hold them open. Or... Danielson sells modified doors with weights molded on them and I highly recomend them.
I like to use Turkey legs for bait. No seals and less mess and smell. But for productivity you can't beat shad or a big old chinook head. Turkey legs can be purchased at Fred Meyer by the family Pack or ask the butcher for a box.
[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] RIPPLE [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Bait O' Eggs · 09-06-2001, 09:21 AM

Smiley
I shot you an email last night, sorry I didnt get back to you sooner.

Pilar · 09-06-2001, 12:02 PM

Great idea on making the danielson trap better, Phish_on. The only thing I would add is that it is better to have a minimal float on your line (just one). Don't use an antifreeze jug or milk bottle, they can pop or leak. The weight of the trap should be able to pull the float underwater if a big swell rolls by. Otherwise the wave will lift the trap and move it. A wave every 5 minutes that does this can put your trap in the surf over the course of the old 3 hour troll.

In the bays the line loads up with sea lettuce and kelp with the same result. The drag on the rope will move your trap far from where you dropped it. Use just one float and if it dissapears just go back on the slack tide and it will be right where you left it. Also a moving trap will catch very few crabs. They spook when the trap moves around and wander off to find easier pickings.

The last thing is to mark where you dropped gear with your GPS. Distance and location on the water is very hard to judge. I do this religiously and seldom lose gear anymore. BTW this is extremely effective when crabbing at night. You can literally drive right to your gear without even using a searchlight.

Danielson is the best for the money ($20). Protoco is good too but very expensive ($100). Danielson is good for closely attended crabbing. Protoco is good for drop and forget crabbing, any crabs caught stay caught. I call them crab motels, they check in but don't check out. Rings are extremely high maintenance. You must pull them frequently to have success. If you let them sit too long the crabs will dine and dash.

Salt away a few hundred bucks and wait for GI Joes to sale the protoco traps. All the ones I have I got for 30% off during a sale.

STRIKE ZONE · 09-06-2001, 03:17 PM

What I did is bought the cheap danielson then
bought the weighted doors,tie wrapped the trap to gether at all corners top and bottom
except the large door to get into the trap.Tie wrapped the bait box in the center of the trap,then cut two or four which ever you prefere 20" peices of rebar and tie wrapped them to the bottom.I use sinkable line
with two bouy's and haven't had a problem.I tie wrap the main door after loading the bait box.The line,bouys & harness all fit in the trap for easy storage.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

fishbait · 09-06-2001, 11:54 PM

Smiley,

On my Danilson I have wrapped 3/8 pencil lead on the doors to help keep them closed. I also zip tie one side of the trap when I assemble it. This keeps it from folding up and makes it more secure. I also use the bait boxes, zip tie to the trap, get a few xtras, easier to swap out. My oldest two traps, probabley 30 + years have some rust where the plastic rubbed off, but should have onother 10 yrs left in then. Try to rinse with fresh water when done if you can....... Steve