How to: Mud Crab Trap

Crab fishing is a recreational activity that can yield a delicious dinner after a successful day. Whether setting a long-term pot or a dilly, which requires more frequent checking, when trapping for crabs it is important to ensure that you set your traps in a location and direction that provides for ample opportunity for crabs to enter the trap. Proper trap placement and baiting often means the difference between a full plate and an empty pot.

Things You'll Need

  • Crab dillies or crab pots
  • Ruler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Read the regulations for your fishing location before setting any pots or dillies. In order to maintain the crab population strict regulations are kept which limit the number of traps you can set as well as the minimum size and maximum number of crabs you can keep.

    • 2

      Set traps in warm weather months for the highest rate of success, as this is when the most male crabs of acceptable size will be up and active to enter your traps.

    • 3

      Place traps in locations with lots of underwater foliage such as roots. These provide cover for the crabs, causing them to congregate in such areas.

    • 4

      Check to ensure that your trap will not be exposed to the air during low tide, as this can result in fatal harm to your crabs.

    • 5

      Turn the trap so that the opening the crabs walk through is facing upstream.

    • 6

      Pull the rope line sharply and swiftly when hauling in traps to prevent escapes by keeping the crabs tightly pulled against the bottom of the trap.

    • 7

      Measure all caught crabs immediately after pulling in your trap and throw any non-legal crabs back into the water to minimize the risk of injury or death for immature catches.