Catching Crabs

[Caine1]

Hi all,

I usually fish off of rocks and cast in to the sand. not much weed around.

Can crabs be caught on the sand....am going to throw a crab trap down anyway but wanted to get peoples thoughts..

Cheers

Catchy

[Davemmm]

Definately

[royboy]

Casting the trap won't be too difficult but you might have trouble retrieving it off the rocks if the rock ledge has cunjevois, barnacles etc on it. Also the trap may move around with the current and get stuck on a reef on the edge of the sandbed. You may also need a long pole to keep the trap and the anchor rope off the ledge whilst bringing it up.

Good luck.

[brother of tang]

G'day cath22. Obviously I don't know where, or exactly what type of trap you intend on using. The following is from the NSW fisheries site, just incase you were intending on doing something that could have landed you in the s**t. Good luck with the crabbing.

Hoop or Lift Net (commonly called Witch's Hat):

Not more than 5 nets to be used (or in possession) by any person at any one time.

1 or 2 hoops per net (no rigid frame between them).

Diameter of hoops should be no greater than 1.25 metres.

Mesh size not less than - 13mm.

Drop (length of net) should be no more than 1 metre.

A tag, at least 80mm x 25mm, clearing showing your name and address (or name and registration number of boat being used) must be attached.

Must be dropped and raised vertically through the water by hand.

Must not be used in ocean waters.

Any rock lobsters or fin-fish (which are subject to a size limit) which are caught must be returned to the water.

Spanner crab net:

Not more than 1 spanner crab net can be used by a person at any one time.

Net attached to a rigid frame not exceeding 1.6 metres in length and 1 metre in width.

Net not capable of extending more than 0.1 metre beneath the frame when the frame is suspended in a horizontal position.

Used only as a hand implement and only be the method of lowering the net into the water and then drawing the net vertically to the surface.

Only to be used for taking of spanner crabs.

May only be used in ocean waters north of Korogoro Point (Hat Head).

Crab trap

Not more than 1 trap to be used (or in possession) by any person at any one time.

Maximum dimensions - 1.2 metres (length) x 1 metre (width) x 0.5 metre (depth) or has a diameter not exceeding 1.6 metres at the top or bottom.

Minimum mesh size - 50mm.

No more than 4 entrances (none of which are on the top of the trap).

A buoy with a minimum diameter of 10cm clearly marked "CRAB TRAP" with your name in letters not less than 50mm high must be attached. No rope should float on the surface of the water.

Must not be made of entanglement material.

Must not be set to impede the free passage of fish.

Any fish caught (other than crabs) must be returned to the water.

Crab traps must not be used in inland waters or ocean waters.

Lobster trap

Not more than 1 trap to be used (or in possession) by any person at any time.

The base or floor of the trap may be either rectangular or circular.

Rectangular (not exceeding 1.2 metres by 1.2 metres)

Circular (not exceeding 1.2 metres in diameter).

A buoy with a minimum diameter of 10cm clearly marked "L" with your name in letters not less than 50mm high must be attached. No rope should float on the surface of the water.

Escape gaps are required - either: 1 gap not less than 57mm high X 500mm wide or 2 gaps not less than 57mm high x 250mm wide or 3 gaps not less than 57mm high x 200mm wide so that no part of any escape gap is more than 12cm above the floor of the trap.

Lobster traps must not be used in inland waters or any waters more than 10 metres deep (contour).

Other fish caught in lobster traps must be returned to the water.

[Caine1]

Some excellent info there hooken, thanks...