26" vs 30" crab traps

[MiddlepointBight]

Been running 30" crab traps (stainless, round) for a while with good success.

Curious if anyone has switched to 26" traps (and/or used both). The 26" trap would store a lot easier, so thinking about down-sizing.

Don't want to sacrifice performance/production, but I catch no less prawn with the 18" (vs 24") Bauers - wondering if the same is true with crab.

TIA!

 

[Hardy Guy]

Bigger is better with crab traps in my opinion. There is a reason the commercial guys use big and even bigger traps. If you want to use less space and have more fun consider hoop nets.

 

[MiddlepointBight]

Bigger is better with crab traps in my opinion. There is a reason the commercial guys use big and even bigger traps. If you want to use less space and have more fun consider hoop nets.

Thanks for the post! Maybe I grab the 26"s for longer trips and fish the 30"s local.. crab pot quiver?!

 

[Hardy Guy]

Lol ... like heavy and MH jigging rods.

 

[kaelc]

I'm truly convinced it's all about the bait, number and placement of doors. I have fished the commercial round traps and they don't out crab the square $30-40 traps, except in long soaks of course.

 

[Tips Up]

A large trap that is hard to escape from is best for long soaks but I think you are correct the smaller ones are probably fine for short soaks. Crazy how many crabs will load up in a trap if in the right spot so I don't think they stop going in because it's full.

Funny, I was packing the other day for next weekends annual camping and crabbing paloosa next weekend in Renfrew.
Asked my son to sort out 3 best traps. He grabbed 3 of the cheap square ones. I asked what about the fancy stainless 1?
He said "That thing sucks. You just can't give up on it because you spent so much on it." These square ones catch all the crab.

Saying that... we have experimented with many styles of traps on this annual trip.
The Big Commercial ones my friend living in Renfew leaves out is best to catch and hold large number of crabs because it is left out most of the time. The good size crabs can't seem to get out.
The big octagon traps are best producers. Maybe due to door locations? size?
The square traps catch tons of crab as long as well baited but when bait is gone so are the crabs. But they are light, easy to pull and catch lots for short soaks.