Thread: Trapping crabs?????????????????/

A fellow from MN. staying down here asked me about trapping crabs. I told him that I didn't know squat about it but I could find out from my fishing buddies on the fishing forum. His questions are: 1. Is there a season on them? 2. Is there a size limit on them? 3. Is there a numbers limit on them. 4. Can you catch them during the Winter months? I told him that I thought they used chicken trimming to lure them into the trap, is there anything else that will do a better job?
Thanks guys!!!!

http://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/..._Rec_Aug13.pdf

5" tip-to-tip, basically no limit, no closed season.
If using traps, there is a 5 trap limit and must be tied to a dock, pier, etc... or if placed in open water, have an orange buoy with an "R" on it.
Have to have a saltwater license.

The commercial guys are still trapping, but its not the best time of year for sure.

Carl is spot on.. Most traps these days have escape holes on either side to allow undersized crabs to escape. Fresh chicken thighs have always worked for me. Off the rocks at Bon Secour right off Ft. Morgan Rd. has been a great spot.

The cheapest bait is fish heads and carcasses left over after cleaning fish. Just go to the cleaning station on the pier and wait or ask.

For supplies like floats, and clips etc. for repair of traps go to Brunson Nets in Foley.

If you put traps out in the bay on floats you need to weight them down, especially if there is current. Pieces of steel rebar work well and that's what the commercial guys use mostly.

Thanks Guys, Tight Lines!!!