How to Make Rock Crab Traps
- 1). Cut the aluminum rod into two lengths to form the rings of the crab trap. The larger ring requires a piece 113 inches long and the smaller ring needs 38 inches. The aluminum rod only needs to be approximately 1/4 inch in thickness. At that thickness you can bend the rod to form the ring without much assistance.
- 2). Use an old tire as the template for the large ring of the trap. Bend the aluminum rod around the tire, following the tread. If you need help bending the rod, you can use a hammer. Make sure the ends of the rod overlap slightly.
- 3). Perform the same procedure with the smaller piece of aluminum rod, using a coffee can as a template. The ends of this ring should overlap slightly also.
- 4). Roll out the fish netting on the ground and place the larger ring in the center of the netting. Cut the netting by following the outline of the aluminum ring with an 8-inch border. Select netting that has a weave of approximately 1 to 2 inches so that smaller crabs are able to slip through and escape. The netting is available from most fishing and marine supply stores.
- 5). Thread the large aluminum ring through the holes at the outside of the netting so that the netting hangs down in the middle of the ring. Place a 4-inch piece of 1/4-inch diameter garden hose on the end of the aluminum rod and bend the other end until it slips in the other side of the garden hose. The shape of the trap will be maintained by the bent ring and the hose will keep the netting from falling off. If the hose has too large an inner diameter to hold the metal securely, seal the ends of the hose to the ring using silicone caulking.
- 6). Thread the small ring through the holes in the netting where it hangs in the center of the large ring. Secure the ends of the aluminum ring with a 4-inch piece of garden hose as before.
- 7). Secure a wire-mesh box in the center of the small ring by using the galvanized wire. Tie it in the center and ensure that you can open the box to load the bait. Tie the box to the netting by galvanized wire. The box will hold the bait that attracts the crab to the trap. A simple box can be constructed from chicken wire. Bend it in the shape of a box with a lid to hold the bait. Make sure you can secure the lid closed. The box should be approximately 3 inches by 4 inches by 3 inches.
- 8). Cut the nylon rope into three 24-inch lengths. Tie one end of each piece of rope to the larger ring. Space the pieces approximately 120 degrees apart. They will be equally spaced around the ring. The nylon rope will keep the trap level when retrieving it after you have given it sufficient time to attract crabs. The three pieces of rope meet in the center of the trap and attach to a central point that is connected to the line used for the trap.
- 9). Tie each rope to the 2-inch ring. Every knot that you tie needs to be secure and tight enough it will not come apart. If it comes apart you will loose either your crabs or your whole trap.