What did I do wrong

[Wallbanger]

Need some help for a new guy. I fish the bay out of gwynns island and got a couple of crap pots the other day from the store so I dropped them in about 25 feet of water outside of the harbor on the way out to fish then picked them up on the return trip several hours later. I know I should have left them out longer, but I didn't get one single crab out of the two pots. I was using frozen / semi-thawed chicken quarters for bait... had to buy crab cakes for my girlfriend on the way home due to the shortage... Any help would be appreciated. Also, what type of rope should I be using, and how are you supposed to set up a pot when you buy one? Thanks. -wallbanger

[Gerald]

Prolly just set them too deep.Crabs are prolly in 5-10 ft of water.

[Choptank Rob]

I would agree with Gerald, No deeper than 15 feet and ideally I would try to be in 7 to 12 feet. One other thisg is always be sure to remove the skin from the chicken parts you use. It helps to get the scent out faster and attract more crabs. I would also suggest that you get some snatch pots (crab traps with the doors on them) Set them out in the area you are fishing and then check them every 15 minutes and ytou should be able to pull up enought to eat if you are an area were the crabs are now.

Good Luck!!

[rgminer]

Is it even legal to use crab pots not on your own property in Md? I know you can have 2 on your dock or so many feet off your property, but I didn't think non com people could use them just anywhere.

[mike2u]

Uuuummmm,,, was thinking about that too..

[Wallbanger]

I'm in virginia, it's legal

[mike2u]

Sorry,, Didn't know.. Maybe try different bait. Bunker,, Fish,, Necks, Drumsticks.. Throw everything in there..

[PHIRSCH]

Here are some other points...

Definitely use some type of fish rather than chicken. Bunker is the preferred bait. Rip the bunker in half by twisting it. Place your pots on some type of edge of channel like the commercial guys do. Make sure your pots are right side up. If you can leave them overnight. You are allowed 5 pots with a rec. license ($29.00). Your pots must be properly marked to avoid VMRC to confiscate them. You should have an iron or frame 3/8 on the bottom and put one zync in each pot as well.

Good Luck!

Pat

[rgminer]

Is the iron frame part of the law? I have a few pots I use in VA as well, but they don't have the frame...I thought that was just used as weight to hold them in place in strong current. (I tie mine from my bulkhead so they aren't going anywhere)

Just wondering.

[PHIRSCH]

No. The frame is just to keep it on the bottom from a strong current or wind. I would also tie the pot up at the bottom corner of the pot as well. I used #8 or #9 crab pot rope because it is thick and easier to pull it up. When a line is in the water for an extended period of time it becomes slippery and the thicker the rope the better/easier it is to pull it up.

The law does say you need to have two regulation culls rings on the pot as well. One on the top half and one on the bottom half as well.

Hope this helps...Pat

[rgminer]

Got the rings. They come in all new pots. Now in MD they are suppose to have turtle culls as well, but I have looked all over and haven't seen one made with them yet. I guess they are suppose to be installed by the owner?

[PHIRSCH]

Oh...not familiar with MD laws. I have been covering VA. laws. Interesting about the turtle requirement though.

Best of luck...Pat