Upgraded Noodle float design for Topless Traps

[Water_boy]

I've been meaning to post this for a while but just now getting around to it, I started posting it on on the "what trap to buy" thread but thought it deserved it's own thread so I'm starting a new one.

Here's a good noodle design for topless traps, it's actually a variation of one I've seen here before but I made some modifications that are working great so I figured I'd share.
1) Use the wide noodles and with a sharp knife cut them to a length that will fit crosswise in the bottom of the trap.
2) Shave off two sides lengthwise so the new width is narrow enough to fit inside the bottom of traps when they're stacked.
(Note) If you do this properly the noodle will still have plenty of buoyancy to float the trap if you drop it in water that's too deep for your line.
3) Cut a slit down the entire length on one of the rounded sides
4) Cut a small notch in either end of the opposite rounded side
5) attach your line around the length of the noodle inside the notches with a simple overhand knot and you're done.

It only take a minute to do each one, it's cheap, simple and works great, and I've been using mine for over 2 years now and haven't had any issues. When you need to adjust the length of the line you just wrap or unwrap a few more coils inside the noodle, I have about 25' of locktite on my traps and have plenty of room to add more if I want it.

Here's a few photo's, hopefully this will help explain it.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x139/Cast-Away_photo/TrapFloat1.jpg[/URL]
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x139/Cast-Away_photo/TrapFloat2.jpg (http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x139/Cast-Away_photo/TrapFloat1.jpg)
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x139/Cast-Away_photo/TrapFloat3.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x139/Cast-Away_photo/TrapFloat4.jpg

ps: in case you're wondering what that slit in the 3rd picture is for, originally I thought I'd need some way to hold line at the right length but it isn't necessary.
[URL="http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x139/Cast-Away_photo/TrapFloat4.jpg"] (http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x139/Cast-Away_photo/TrapFloat3.jpg)

[rgminer]

the noodles tend to get hard and a bit brittle after a few years. Keep an eye on them. I haven't lost any, but I have had to replace a few floats. When I first started i used PVC pipe down the middle, but I found that with the movement and heat, the pipes were actually wearing out the noodle foam, so i stopped using the pipe.

Oh and you don't want to grab the float when you go to hoist up the trap, the line will tear right through it. Grab the line just below the float.

[Water_boy]

I think this is my 3rd or 4th season using them and they haven't shown any major signs of wear yet. Initially I thought they would loose the springiness needed to keep the coiled line inside the float but that hasn't happened yet, you can see in the last photo I still need to pry my fingers inside the slit so I can coil the line up so I'm pretty sure they're going to outlast the traps...

[mburrows870]

As long as you store them inside out of the sun they will last for many seasons. If you leave them outside they will start to break down. Very nice design, I'll have to give them a try.

Mike

[crabberlig]

I have been using noodles for over 10 years for my traps. I never inserted PVC down the middle, wasn't sure what the advantages were. I just tie 3/8 inch nylon line around the middle of the float. After about 3 years of the floats being squished in the traps I change to new ones. I like the neon yellow best but the orange works good in certain light conditions.

[port fisher]

The PVC is to make them more sturdy. Most folks that take "newbies" crabbing (such as myself) need a way to protect their equipment. I have had people practically fall overboard trying to grab a pot when my driving wasn't exactly "on point". I do not use the PVC anymore for the reasons mentioned. Most of my "newbies" are now out of that stage and understand! Just my opinion but that is why I began using the PVC with my traps.
"Newbies" are also a blast to take trot lining for their first time!

[parttimer]

I have several noodle/PVC floats all of which are probably at least 5-8 yrs old. They have been stored routinely out of the sun and are based on a design once posted/suggested on Tidalfish. The PVC pipes are drilled on the bottom end to attach weight(s) and the crab trap line. Because the floats are weighted they act more as a buoy standing vertically up with the PVC extending beyond the float. The advantage is that it makes it much easier to reach the float over a high freeboard or for a small child to retrieve the vertically bobbing float by the narrow PVC pipe. Also the float is more visible. If I recall the PVC is 3/4 inch and thus has very little movement within the noodle, absent deliberate effort. The disadvantage to this rig is that it is too long to store in the crabtrap and takes a little longer to rig up as the float's metal clip has to be clipped onto the trap's line loop, while baiting and the crabtrap line unwound from the float to an appropriate length. To me it was worth the bother to make and to use these pvc/noodle floats, as it makes it easier for my young son to retrieve traps. The only problem I have had is that the cheap metal clips I use tend to rust through every couple years if the floats are not stored out of the rain.