BEWARE OF CRAB THIEVES

[Mrtrailer]

7 hours fishing today.Zero salmon,zero halibut,25 dogs... topper of the day was to find our 4 crab traps 1/4 mile away from G.P.S. mark. Of course they were empty and we even though we did get them back...well you can probably guess my true feelings I can't put in print. Just wanted you guys to be aware that there is a #*#$* out at Albert Head.

 

[NickN]

Theives were out in Victoria Harbour as well. Lost my awesome hali bait and crab. At least leave a note!

 

[TenMile]

Oak Bay too. Unless the trap really drifted, it was there, but about 400+ yards from where I dropped it, empty. It's never drifted before....

 

[fah cups]

Howdy try zap strapping your lid closed then you will know for sure if your being ripped off, Cheers Fc

 

[KoneZone]

In the old days folks would leave things be. The possibility of becoming crab bait was too high. The good old days.

 

[the runt]

Gentlemen,if you are using those small scottsan buoys and not using a weight on the doors,and on the bottom of the trap they probably are drifting around.great idea on the zip ties

thanks the runt

 

[Mrtrailer]

When removing my own crab from the trap I only need to hold the door open,inwards of course, and even 9' dungees with drop out.Therefore theives could do the same without cutting zap-straps,which I've used for years.

Thanks for the tip on weights to hold it in place.I don't have those as yet but will get some before next trip out. In this particular case though I highly doubt that any current could take 3 traps set within 50 feet of themselves and carry them 1/4 mile as well as displacing them a hundred feet apart.If there were such a current we wouldn't have been anchored for Halis.

thanks for all input guys,

 

[bee15]

i dumped my trap off pedder bay once and it was dragged away by i would presume the local fairly tame seal. anothertimr the doorsewere ripped off and there was an otter swimming around where it was. i dont use salmon parts any more.buddy caught an otter in his shrimp trap off the little wharf acrss from the college also salmon for bait.

 

[Mrtrailer]

As far as bait is concerned I've used chicken backs and necks for as long as I can remember.(sorry for all the 'as''s in last sentence).....anyways.....instead of starting a new thread may I change mine up a bit and now ask what your favorite crab bait might be. Also,what's the worst/funniest last minute replacement you've tried?

 

[bee15]

chicken or squid work great

 

[Mrtrailer]

I've never tried squid.Where do you get it from? How much $ for it?

 

[fshkllr]

quote:Originally posted by Mrtrailer

I've never tried squid.Where do you get it from? How much $ for it?

I get calamari style sguid from the grocery store.About 6 bucks for 2 kilos (and probably less down island).Bait squid from a sporting goods store or bait shop is way more expensive.

huh?

 

[fshkllr]

quote:Originally posted by Mrtrailer

As far as bait is concerned I've used chicken backs and necks for as long as I can remember.(sorry for all the 'as''s in last sentence).....anyways.....instead of starting a new thread may I change mine up a bit and now ask what your favorite crab bait might be. Also,what's the worst/funniest last minute replacement you've tried?

I always use whatever carcass ileftover from whatever fish I caught(black cod or sablefish is particularily good).

Once I hadn't caught any fish but still needed to bait the trap,so I nabbed a dogfish,skinned it and used it for bait.Mediocre results.

huh?

 

[Lipripper]

P.S. If anyone is missing a trap with a small scotsman, there is one that drifted into the kelp bed... it disappears when the tied gets going... if i see it again ill grab it and see if i can leave it at the marina

 

[Iron Sights]

Read your REG's boys, Zap Strapps are a no-no...( If you care )If some drunk boater hits your line and cut off you float you have a perpetual crab killing machine ont the bottom for years. Crabs and other species enter... die... and then more go in after them. Thats why you have to have a degratable elastic attached to your clip. a few weeks under the salt they release open the trap.
Robbing Crab Pots is dirty pool..... I hope Crab thiefs get crabs!!! somewhere else other than in traps.

 

[Striper Sniper]

Hey IS, I am presuming that the rot cord is still a part of the trap.......... SS

 

[Mrtrailer]

quote:Originally posted by Iron Sights

Read your REG's boys, Zap Strapps are a no-no...( If you care )If some drunk boater hits your line and cut off you float you have a perpetual crab killing machine ont the bottom for years. Crabs and other species enter... die... and then more go in after them. Thats why you have to have a degratable elastic attached to your clip. a few weeks under the salt they release open the trap.
Robbing Crab Pots is dirty pool..... I hope Crab thiefs get crabs!!! somewhere else other than in traps.

The zap straps are to hold the 4 piece trap together. The trap COMES with an escape hole which is tied with light twine,NOT the zap straps as you are mis-leading yourself to believe. No sweat though,you sound like a fisher that cares, so all is good.

 

[Iron Sights]

I see what you mean... Square traps right! I have seen people zap the lid shut on round traps that dont have the release whole. I misunderstood.. sorry

 

[Mrtrailer]

quote:Originally posted by Iron Sights

I see what you mean... Square traps right! I have seen people zap the lid shut on round traps that dont have the release whole. I misunderstood.. sorry

It's all good.