I don't know much about crabbin, but most of my neighbors do it for a living. They all make their own pots. They buy the material needed and just go to town making about 4 - 6 per day. The only problem you will have is the time constraint. They make theirs during the off season so by the time the season rolls around they have 180+ pots. Just a suggestion. Good luck to ya.

 

Coopers in Hampton has a good selection at fair prices. I set mine near the fish cleaning station at my marina and load up pretty fast.

 

green top has them.

 

Zigh I have purchased from these folks in the past. They are a major producer of Crab Pots. Take 264 towards downtown Norfolk exit at Ballentine Blvd. turn left and left again at the second light which should be Westminster Ave. Go all the way back until you cross some railroad tracks and the building is on the left. You should see Crab Pots stacked up 30 feet high. Talk to these guys they always had a better price because there is no middle man. The building coordinates are: 36 50 35.78N 76 14 31.94W if you punch these numbers in Google Earth it will take you directly to the main building. Good luck.

 

Its Called Norfolk Crab Pot Supply, 3492 Westminster Ave., Norfolk, VA (757) 622-5970. Awesome folks to deal with. Make sure you get your permit if you set I think more than 2 pots.

 

Zigh, I have three for sale in Hampton I want to get rid of. I sold the boat last year and pulling in a kayak is less than fun. Reply back if you are interested.

 

DigDug; I sent you a PM in regard to the crab pots...Thanks!

Tight Lines

 

When you're in Mathews, go visit Ocean Products Research. That's where I buy wire and all kinds of supplies for making pots & cages. There's a map for directions on their website, http://www.opr-rope.com/. The tall fellow in the back row of the picture is Terry Murphy and works the retail area up in the front of their facility. Talk about the Redskins for a few minutes and he'll fill you in on what you'll need whether you want to build your own or buy them already made. They stock all kinds of pots, traps & holding cages. Also is a great place for good foul weather gear and gloves.

 

You wanted hints.

Are you setting them off of a dock or out in the open water.

With a dock you do not need to put irons on the pots (squares of rebar that are attached to the bottom of the bot to weight it down.) With open water and any kind of current or waves you will need irons.

Make sure that they have 2 cull rings 2 - 3/8" ID.

Make sure that you carve the last 4 of your SS in the buoy preceded by the letter R.

The laws are two pots per person without a license. . . with a season the same as the commercial crabbers which is March 15 (or so) to Dec. 1st. Both people have to be on the boat when you work the pots or you can get a ticket. I still have not figured out what happens if they are on a private pier.

If you want to work more than 2 pots by yourself you can get a 5-pot license. The season for a 5 pot license is June 1 through Sept 15. No using the 5 pot license on Sunday.

It gets tricky if you have 4 pots and take your wife or child of buddy out with you on Sunday, or if you just go pull two of them on Sunday.

For a summary for the rec regulations with links to the official regs go to.

http://www.mrc.state.va.us/regulations/recfish&crabrules.shtm

PS I have objected to VMRC regarding the closed Sunday bit any number of times. It is recreational crabbing. Most recreational people are off on weekends. If they want a closed day Make it Tuesday or Wednesday. The objection from the commercial sector is always related to theft of crabs from their pots.

 

Thanks for all of the responses and information. My folks live on the North River and I was going to set the pots directly off of their beach. I figured 2 for Papa and 2 for Mom; per what I had read previously in regard to licensing, I thought this would be okay. If not, I will be happy having 2 pots set. So, as I understand it I will be using the last 4 digits of my parents SS to mark the crab bouys since they are essentially who the pots are for.(I just want a few peelers on occaision for Speckin' or the occaisional Drum trip) If I am reading correctly i need one of my folks on board when retrieving the traps; what if i wade to them? hanks to all and Keep 'Em Bent!

Zigh
><((((*>

 

If you just wade for them they need to come watch and you will be OK. The MPO has the authority to use some judgement.

If you use a boat then you might want to take Dad for a ride to watch you work "his" pots.

All that being said they have to actually see you pull the pots to write you a ticket.

 

Thanks for all of the detailed information...Good stuff!

Zigh

 

the next forum under this Virginia one is the CRAB section too ....

http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/2-Crabbers