Crab Pot Zincs

[Threemuch]

Alright you expert crabbers, anyone put zincs on their crab pots? If you do, how do you attach em?

Some commercial crabbers put zincs on their crab pots, and I want to put some on mine, but I am not sure how to attach them. I guess I will just solder them onto the wire. Any tips?

[Gobbaworms]

Drill a hole and use a hunk-a-wire to tie it on. Drilling the hole actually increases the surface area and makes the zinc more effective too.

[hound]

hey threemuch

fish marine supply has a great selection of clamp on zinc for crab traps..they attach to the ring of your pots..just go downstairs and ask for them
mike

[wetaline]

Anyone want to explain the Zinc thing?

[Threemuch]

Crabs are sensative to electric fields, and when your pot is soaking, it corrodes and this corrosion builds up a charge which spooks crabs away. Having a zinc on the pot as a sacrificial anode reduces this phenomenon and catches you more crabs. It probably makes the pot last longer too.

I have mostly seen zincs as screw on type. I have some zincs that have a wire cast in the middle, so I will try soldering them to the SS wire mesh and report back.

Hound, where is Fish Marine Supply?

[WaterDog]

Fishermans Marine Supply - Delta Park, Oregon City Shopping Center.....But I wouldnt count on them have all you need. If you need 4 they will only have 3. Thats been my experience as of Monday this week.

I love the world of retail. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Threemuch]

Yeah, I was just there, and I know what you mean. I got my zincs at Seattle Marine through mail order, ordered Tuesday, arrived today.

Drill a couple of holes in the zinc, file or countersink the edges so it is not sharp. Secure them to the trap with zip ties,(wire ties). Instead of small sacrificial zincs, I use small blocks. They provide extra weight that keeps my box traps from moving with the heavy tides.

[Mr. Fisherman]

So,

Does this really make a difference?
Any before and after stories?

How much do they cost?

Thanks in advance...

Mr. F.

[Stz ll]

This problably sound stupid and some of you won't believe me. I have several vinal coated Proteco traps. I love these traps. They are coated with heavy vinal so I don't think the zinc makes that much difference this point. However years ago I won at a club raffle a fold up Danielsons trap which cost about 17 to 20 bucks. This particular trap catches at least 2 to 3 times as many crab as the expensive ones. If you need someone to back up my story I will be glad to provide you with there name. This stupid trap just seems to attract crab zinc or no zinc. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Crusin]

Our company makes crab pot zinc for commercial use, there are several types ,wire on or screw on, the wire ones are 12 0z ,you can get them at englund marine or I can send you a couple just cause your here...I have 12oz or 6oz..your choice let me know..

[sockeyedan]

I've commercial crabbed for 14 years and have seen every type of zinc gizmo manufacturers and crab skippers can dream up. If you have a pot with a skookum wieght bar you can purchase zincs that will thread on a 1/2 inch bolt you weld onto the bar. You can purchase wire on zinc balls and wire them directly to the mesh. I've seen guys throw pop cans in every pot to act a an electrolysis attractor. Most big pots in AK have some sort of zinc on thier cage.
Any difference? It may help your pot last a bit longer, but after looking at thousands and thousands of these things come aboad, I believe the only thing that matters is good bait and a bug or two to crawl in the pot. Zinced pots fish the same as a non-zinced pot in side by side. However, theres lots of differing opinions out there.
If you are interested in zincs try Airport Crab Pots in Warrenton, Bakerview in Blaine, or Englund.

[Threemuch]

Mr. Fisherman-
I think they make a difference. I commercial crabbed a couple seasons in California, for a couple different boats. The one that ran zincs on his pots did much better, but, who's to say what all the other variables were. The crabber who had em on his gear was meticulous about his gear, the guy who didn't was a slob, and his gear was falling apart.

Also, ever notice how out of a bunch of pots, one will do well or one won't fish? People cry robbery and so forth, I think this is electrolysis. If the pot grounds to the sand well, I think you have no problem, thats why commercial and some recreational gear has exposed metal on the bottom. But if not, the pot will build a charge through galvanic corrosion. Loads of marine critters are sensitive to electrical fields. Those Proteco pots probably charge more, since they are so nicely coated they won't ground, but no coating will stop corrosion entirely. But three doors fishes well. I'll put zincs on mine.

Crusin-
THanks for the offer, I have some zincs already.

STZII- Those cheapo danielson pots can fish pretty well, if you weight em good, weight the doors and they don't fall apart as you bring em up. A sea lion can also do a job on em. But they cost 1/4 or less. I have some of those too.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Thanks guys,

Crusin, I'd be interested in some of those zinks... I have two traps left. By the way, are ya still gonna send me that old smelting pot?

STZII, I do well with one of those Danielson traps two. To keep them from folding out try turning the panels around so the hook opening in the supports faces out. That way if they shift the bars still offer a little force to keep them together rather than having them shift towards the slot and coming apart. I hope this makes sense [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]. Maybe I could show you some time or you could look at your Danielson while you read this [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img].

Threesmuch, That's good enough for me. I'll try the zinks if I can find some I can afford. I agree that good bait and lots of it is a key. Bait placement to prevent dine and dash also improves the catch. I've learned a lot about crabbing from Pilar and BOE [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img].

Good info, keep it coming... [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[fishbait]

I fish danilsons for four reasons:
1: they work well
2. Store easily when flat
3. 17.95 works for me
4. My oldest trap is about 20, almost drinking age

Don't think they need zinc. Before you put zinc on you large/commerical traps I would check it with the compass to see if it is a hot pot. Also, pay attention to your pots. If it is fishing fine and consistantly catches, don't mess with it.

[Crusin]

Sure thing Mrfisherman please resend me your address i seemed to have lost all my address's had, got into a clean the hard drive mode one day and deleted a few files to many.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Crusin,

Check your email [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]