Basket Line Length

[SommerTime]

Here is the situation:

In the middle of the summer I crab in 12-13 feet of water but I know come spring the crabs are located in shallow water 4-5 feet. At this shallow depth the crab line from the float to the basket is too long since the lines are rigged for 12-13 feet. Anyone have a suggestion as to how to temporary shorten the lines to work the 4-5 feet depth.

Thanks for any help

SommerTime

[fisheyed]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q197/fisheyed/of50590442.jpgI am assuming your talking traps. Take the four line from the doors and tie them together forming a loop at the top approx 1.5 feet above the top of the trap. This loop can be used to attach a large snapswivet to it from the mainline. At 3 foot intervals tie a loop in the line. Ex. If you have 15 feet of line and are crabbing in 15 feet of water just attach the snap directly to the trap . If you want to move to a shallower depth the can halve the line by taking the snap end through the loop you made with the door lines to a loop at the top near the float. In essence doubling up the line. This looping process can be continued back down to the trap door loop. so if you did this you would half the length. So if 20 feet originally, take snap to top then you would have 10 take back to trap loop you would have approx 6.67 feet. Same way a pully system works. It may sound complicated but you can virtually any depth you want and it can be achieved quickly. This is not my exact setup this was taken from another board.

[SommerTime]

Thanks Fisheyed

I'll give it a try this spring.

SommerTime

[Robert Holsapple]

I saw this method posted on TF last year. I used it this year and it works great, it's quick and hassle free. I put a 5"-6" section of pvc pipe in the hole in the middle of the float, then you can wrap the line around the float and pvc and use a slip knot to keep the line the length you want to keep it at. Quick and easy, just what you want when the crabs are running fast and furious. I've got 20' of line on mine, I know exactly what you are talking about. Happy crabbing.