prop stick- new to trot line- how close to water line? /Design?

[Capt Dave Solesi]

I want to use a trot line this year, I have always used topless traps. I am designing my prop stick and i need input. How close to waterline? or how high above waterline should i place the roller? how far away from the gunnel? etc. would like input and please critique my design. thanks
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[POLECAT]

Your weakest link is the 1" PVC going into the rod holder. Reinforce it by placing a dowel inside it that extends beyond the reducer. If using a snood line, the horizontal (roller) should be larger than 2" to prevent snoods from wrapping around it and becoming snagged. As is, a snood flap might suffice. Height above water is not critical; line tension can be adjusted to allow line to be where you need it.

[crabby and son]

The way I see it, Polecat is right about the weakest link being where it goes in the rod holder. There is NO give there and it will snap w/o reinforcement. You can get a lot of good advice from the experienced crabbers on the board BUT you're best method for improvement is to test it on the water and you will see first hand where you need to modify.( also called, learning the hard way!) Polecat helped me with a prop stick but I haven't used it yet. It looks real good but a water test will tell me if it needs some minor modification. I have never used snoods so the first time is always a challenge. Good luck..............Gary

[Weber]

Alot of the design depends on you and how you like to run your line.

Some people run the prop stick above the water, I have seen guys who run it under.

Some people dip between the boat and line, others dip towards the boat.

Some use snoods, some don't.

Some use clam bags, some don't.

Depending on what you do and how you do, you may need to make some changes.

If using snoods, you will need a flap or a bigger roller.

[done workin]

On my 13' whaler I use a piece of 3" PVC that just lays across the back from gunwale to gunwale and hangs off the side between 18-24" and doesn't hang down at all. This gives me the flexibility to dip to either side of the line. RARELY will you be able to dip from the same side all of the time as the boat will be at different angles, the line can drift, if using snoods the crabs can swim to the opposite of where you want them.

I use a 2"x4" across the back of my 19' bowrider with galvanized pipe mouted to it. Once at the end, it does dip down because on this boat the gunwales are higher. Still sits off the side of the boat to allow dipping from either side of the line.

No matter what, it will need to be adjusted until you find what works for you on your boat.

Chris