New crab pots?

Amysteryman · 02-07-2003, 08:51 AM

I went to the sportsmans show last night and saw some octagon shaped crab pots. They were pretty light weight like the square folding type. The salesman said they were the best (of course). Has anyone tried these? What's your favorite?

Fisherman87 · 02-07-2003, 09:59 AM

They sound like the kind from web page up north by Hoods Canal. I've used them and they are great and not bad on the budget also.

1pump · 02-07-2003, 10:09 AM

Sounds like the ones from Willapa Marine
Seen a few people using them, including the OSP, but have never tried them myself.
MY favorite ones are the Protoco traps, although they're kinda spendy. I'll never wear one out, though. :smile:

[ 02-07-2003, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: 1pump ]

fish assassin · 02-07-2003, 10:37 AM

You're right, they *do* look pretty light. Heavy is good when
you are putting pots out on the ocean ... unless you are just putting
them out for a few hours. Light pots will "walk" and you have a good
chance of losing them either to depth or to the surf if you leave them
out over-night. :depressed: :depressed:

I personally use 45-65 pound pots, a single bouy (to stop them from
"walking") and a trailer bouy for those days when the current is strong
enough to pull the main bouy under water.

-assAssin-

Threemuch · 02-07-2003, 10:53 AM

I always use two 8 pound bouyancy buoys. I don't think it's the flotation of the buoy that moves pots, it's the drag of the water on the rope. Heavier is better. If you use those octagon pots, put 20-30 pounds of weight in em. Play it again sports sells used dumbells for .50 a pound, they make good weights.

My favorite pots are rubber wrapped rebar two doors, with exposed rebar on the bottom for grounding. Put a zinc in, and that's the best rig for electrolisis, which is the main reason some pots fish better than others.

KB

Threemuch · 02-07-2003, 01:40 PM

Myles-
I have two three door protocos. I will trade you even up for rubber coated rebar two door jobs. The protocos don't fish as well for me. And I don't think the square mesh wire on a protoco is as tough as the diamond stuff on a rebar pot.
KB

Myles · 02-07-2003, 01:46 PM

I don't have Protoco's I was thinking that I would try them next, but it sounds like I should rethink that idea if there's something better.

myles

corrirod · 02-07-2003, 04:19 PM

I use the $15 specials and haven't lost one and usually out catch the round ones 2 to 1. My personal theory is the doors on my squares are right at the bottom and there's one on each side, no climbing or having to find 2 or 3 doors. I did however make one modification and that was to wrap a small piece of pencil lead to each door to make sure they stay down.

The only reason I don't lose any traps is because I never leave them overnight, as well as they are never in any rougher conditions than I can get my boat out in. I dump them on the way out and pick'em up on the way in.

mcsmd · 02-07-2003, 07:42 PM

I am still fuzy on how electrons make for better crabing. Should the pots be negative or postitive? How much? Would addition of zinc to any pot work as well?

1pump · 02-07-2003, 09:31 PM

I also have 3 of the square pots like corrirod is talking about. I second the motion on weights for the doors. Those skimpy wire doors won't stay shut otherwise.

Mr. Fisherman · 02-07-2003, 09:43 PM

My "Lucky Pot" is a medium sized Protoco style pot and it consistantly outfishes all other pots I have fished with including my friends pots. Can I get an Amen?. I haven't made any modifications to it. I have some Zinks but haven't tried them, why mess with a good thing.
I think the reason my "Lucky Pot" catches more fish "Crab" is that it is heavy and it holds bottom even in a big swell. It will hold and pull the buoy under. Crab won't hitch a ride, I guess nobody has explained the whole dinner train thing to them.
I have had good luck with my Danielson square trap too and they don't take up as much space to store. My wife just bought me an extra large Protoco and I can't wait to fish it and see what happens. It is a 4 door Roach Hotel, Dungy checks in but he don't check out. I can't wait. It is kind of light though and I'll bet Lucky Pot out fishes it....
The other main contributing factor besides keeping yer "Hotel" on the bottom all the time and fishing a good location is to use fresh bait. We have found that fresh fish is the go to bait of choice with Tuna and Halibut carcs being prime followed by various rock fish carcs. I wouldn't use Cabizone for bait as they are Crab preditors and Briney Bill avoids Caby like I avoid a 20' sea. No, thank you. If Sea Lions and Seals are stealing your bait or damaging your pots fish with Chicken or Turkey. I have had good luck with both and if you use frozen they will last all day long.
I guess my opinion on the new lighter traps would be that if you can rig them to stay on the bottom without getting them sanded in and stuck they might work but like my Grandpa used to say, "Never be afraid to buy the best, you will always be satisfied."
This is just my opinion based on realitively limited experience and you can take it for what it is worth. I'll guarantee that it is worth what you paid fot it

.

Re:Play · 02-07-2003, 10:25 PM

I have one of the traps from the guy at Hood Canal and use some of the Danielson square ones. I weighted all my pots. I like the 3 door one from Hood Canal, but also have done well with the Danielsons. I had 4 stolen a few years ago so I do not leave my pots for long periods unattended either. My .$02. :smile:

Myles · 02-07-2003, 11:59 PM

If that's the guy from Hood Canal, I have 2 of 'em. I do have one major complaint; look at the door, it's on the end and is held closed by an elastic strap. When you pull the pot all the crabs wind up at the back of the pot, which may be OK if you're going to just dump it but in my experience the crabs just don't want to cooperate. :whazzup:
Open the pot and reach for the furthest corner, with the bait box in there it's not easy, especially with upset crabs trying to defend themselves. I don't have one yet but my next "expensive" pot will be a Protoco(sp) with the door on top.

Thery're light, coated and seem to be decent quality,... but I just think not thrilled with 'em.

myles

Amysteryman · 02-08-2003, 07:12 AM

Thanks all.

I really like the tip on pencil weights on the doors. Why didn't I think of that?

SlabQuest · 02-08-2003, 07:37 AM

Some pots can benefit from having their doors hung from cable ties instead of hanging from a wire loop - which can stick open.

Re:Play · 02-08-2003, 10:57 AM

The site for the Hood Canal pots and gear is:
http://www.cushmanboats.com/

They are real helpful and after they are done doing the show circuit, update their fishing report page or you can call them.

The crab keeper is a good pot. :smile:

Richter · 02-09-2003, 07:46 AM

I bought one from Cushman Boats at the Sportmans show last year. I think I paid around $60 for it. It is definitely a crab catcher. Last time I used it up by Orcas Island, The fewest I caught at one time was 22 and the most being 38. Most were legal males. The wife and I just kept the biggest ones and let the 6 - 7 inchers go. We used Shad and Tuna for bait, so that was part of the success.
I have a couple cheap Danielsons that I added rebar to that fish pretty good. Pot, rebar, rope and float your only out about $30.

Fishplay · 02-11-2003, 12:27 AM

Hey Threemuch;
I'll take that trade. I have two rubber wrapped two door sport pots that fish well. I prefer my protoco's though. They are the 4 door model but your three door pots will do nicely.