Baiting the Trap

• Crab box traps consist of a rectangular box made of chicken-wire material. The trap has a layer of chicken wire, dividing the trap into two equal halves. Most traps have a side that releases like a flap once it is placed on the bottom of the waterway. Other rectangular traps have a circular opening on one side to allow entry into the trap. Crabbers secure bait inside the trap in the middle of the lower level. The best bait to use for catching crab includes chicken or turkey necks, mackerel, short ribs or tailbones. Box traps work best on rocky bottoms and are sturdy enough to remain in place despite active water currents.
  
  Ring net crab traps consist of two sections of collapsible circular wire, shaped much like a fluted colander. These two sections connect with netting around the circumference of the trap. Ring nets are collapsible and lay flat when not in use. Crabbers secure bait inside the lower portion of the trap to encourage the crab to enter the metal ring net.
  
  

Placing the Trap

• Ring net and box crab traps have a section of rope attached to the top of the trap to secure it to a floating buoy or a dock. After baiting the trap, the crabber lowers the trap into the water. Crabs tend to feed more frequently during tidal changes. Crabs also exhibit increased activity in the morning and late afternoon. Typical crabbing areas include marshes, bays, creeks and canals with moderate salinity. Crabs also have a penchant or attaching themselves to piers, docks, bridges and canal walls.
  
  Crabbers drop their box traps in early morning and revisit them in the later afternoon. Ring net traps work differently and are more frequently used near docks for recreational crabbing. Ring nets require the attention of the crabber so they can pull up the trap to capture crabs as well as lower the trap slowly into the water to prevent collapse.
  
  

Catching a Crab

• Once the trap arrives on the bottom of the waterway, it settles into place. The bait becomes soaked and bits and pieces of it fall off into the water. When a crab approaches, the bait is placed far enough away that the crab needs to use some effort to get to the food. With a box trap, the crab enters the side of the trap by the lowered flap or through the circular wire hole on the side. The crab makes its way through the various layers of wire in the trap to the bait. The crab's problem is that it cannot make its way back out. That's good for the crabber.
  
  Recreational crabbers use ring net traps right off the side of the pier. The trap is carefully lowered to the bottom of the waterway. As it rests on the bottom, the bait encourages waiting crabs to have a snack. Ring net traps requires frequent checking by the crabber. Crabbers pull upward quickly to prevent the crab escaping from a collapsed ring net.