Topless Traps

[scallywag]

Anybody have any thoughts on vinyl coated as opposed to plain galvanized traps.
I'm planning on placeing an order for some new traps and would appreciate some
feedback. Thanks

[C-Hawk18]

Vinyl coated traps will cause more resistance against the water and will be "heavier" to pull. I have 50 galvanized traps that are about 8-10 years old with no noticable corrosion issues.

[scallywag]

Has anyone had catch problems with vinyl coated traps ?

[Water_boy]

What c-hawk said plus I think it's harder to get them to let go of the vinyl coated traps when you're trying to flip them into the basket. I have a mix of both, no difference in their catching ability but the frames are already starting to rust on a bunch of the vinyl ones after only 2 years of limited use, the galvanized ones I have are probably 5 years old and have no rust at all. Go Galvanized.

[Riverstwo]

I have done comparison studies and call me crazy but my galvanized catch way more than the vinyl coated ones. I don't know why plus they are lighter to pull up and I've seen no rust in 5 years.

[bigwater3]

tried all kinds of traps, all kinds of methods, the galvanized ones catch far more crabs then the vinyl coated ones...plain and simple. We purchased a few from a friend years ago...no wonder he wanted to get rid of them. We had a mix of 50/50 low profile and the galvanized out crabbed the other traps time and time again. We now run all 30 low profile galvanized.Also noticed that the new galvanized traps for the year produced less than the seasoned galvanized traps from 2 years or more...wonder if the metal has some sort of coating the crabs can detect?

[whynot]

Vinyl traps are much lighter than galv. If they are my opinion is that with lighter doors and if your crabbing in a strong current you may be crabbing with one or 4 doors closed . That could explain the lower catch rate .

And again I'll repeat what I've said many times before . If your using any kind of trap with a top on it and crabbing where there is a STRONG tide flow . NEVER string your trap door strings through the top panel. Edges or middle , All through the Middle of top panel is the worst. ALWAYS string them to the outside like a topless . Your odds will always be better with more doors open . If you don't buy it just lay one strung through the top on the floor and pull the cord slightly like the tide pulling on float and rope and see what happens . Then string one outside and do the same pull and see what happens .The power of one finger can close only 1 door if strung outside . If your strung through the top Esp the middle one finger can close all 4 doors .

I would appreciate some feedback if you try what I said .

Yes a trap can get tangled occasionally but it's a lot worse if your trap doors are closed when the tide gets moving . I did a test and it only takes 4 to 5 oz of pressure with a spring balance on a door to make it close. The next Time you go out tie a 4 oz sinker on a pull up rope and one of your floats and toss it over when the tides moving good . Say goodby to the float . Guess whats happening to your trap doors

Also always use at least 3 to 4 feet or more pull up rope than the depth of the water your crabbing .I dont know how many people I see using 8 feet of rope in 8 feet of water and wonder why everyone else is catching crabs and their not . They say oh I must have bad bait or bad luck . No it's because your doors are shut and the crab can't get to your bait .

Tony

[creekdweller]

Tony - that's really good information - thanks. I wondered about the effect of the current when we were out yesterday.

[Johnny Evans]

Ill take viny traps over glavanized traps no rust on my viny traps and i got the four door traps the same 8 to 10 years i done both i like the viny good luck crabbing