Crab Traps buying guide

Are you looking for a way to catch a plethora of crabs easily? Don't worry. Crab traps are here to the rescue.

Crabs are small-sized creatures with a slippery outer skin that makes it very challenging to catch them with bare hands. Also, they possess powerful claws making it even tougher to catch them. These unique traps are specially fabricated to lure different crabs and trap them efficiently.

However, selecting a suitable trap can be a tricky task. You must choose the right size and ensure that the build structure is durable enough.

A comprehensive buying guide contains all the necessary information at one stop that will allow you to funnel down the best option. Also, you can quickly get answers to general queries and questions.

So, let us start by familiarizing ourselves with the product.

What do you mean by Crab Traps? Why do you need them?

In the simplest terms, crab traps are devices used to lure and catch crabs by placing the bait. These traps are incredibly beneficial and make crabs catching more accessible.

You need these traps, whether catching crabs is your hobby or commercial occupation. A crab cannot leave once it enters the trap in search of the bait. Not only is there a guarantee of catching many crabs, but you also don't have to check the trap regularly.

You can just sit down peacefully and relax while the crab trap will do its job. These traps are also available in a pretty affordable price range, so you don't have to worry about that either.

Keep scrolling in reading to know more about the crab traps and how to make the perfect purchase to catch the most crabs.

Why should you refer to a buying guide before selecting a crab trap?

Investing in a suitable crab trap will allow you to catch tons of crabs and reduce unnecessary hassle on your expedition. By reading an extensive guide, you will get all the information on all the product's critical factors. This will allow you to strike out any flaw in the product immediately and save you from being duped by the market pretense.

Also, you will not have to search for different sources to gather all the information. Now, all you need to do is go through the guide and make an informed decision.

Let us get started with the guide.

Types of Crab Traps

There are different types of crab traps available, depending on the location or personal preferences. There are three basic types of these traps from which we can choose, depending on which one is most suitable for you. They are the box, ring net, and pyramid crab traps.

1. Box crab trap

The box crab trap is the most common and popular type. It is built with a brilliant design that can easily trap the crab once it has entered the box. The box has various passages for the crabs to enter, but it is impossible for the crab to get out. However, these traps are big in size and, therefore, not very portable.

2. Ring Net crab trap

Ring net is another popular type of crab trap made from two rings, one being more prominent than the other. They, too, are very efficient in trapping the crab and not letting it leave at all. The ring net crab trap is also portable. But, you need to place it in the right position for its working.

3. Pyramid crab trap

The pyramid crab trap has a triangular design. Its entry closes once the crab enters inside the trap, not allowing it to leave. They are another effective and efficient choice for crab trapping.

Things to deem about while selecting an appropriate Crab Trap

1. Weight

You must consider certain things before purchasing a crab trap, and one of them is the weight of the trap. A massive crab trap will lead to burdens as it won't be portable, and issues will occur while trying to transport it. You may also face difficulties in keeping a massive crab trap on your boat.

An extremely light-weighted crab trap is also not a good option. As it won't be able to hold in many crabs, you may face problems fixing its right position. Therefore, it is crucial to find a perfectly balanced weight of the crab trap. It should be neither too heavy nor to light but somewhere in between.

2. Size

Size is another essential thing to keep in mind when making a decision about selecting a crab trap. The size depends upon what types of crab species you are deciding to catch. Some crabs are enormous in size, while some are very tiny.

You need to select a crab trap with reference to the crab size so that the crab will be able to enter inside the trap. If the crab will be too large for the trap size, then it won't be able to enter in it and ultimately leave and vice versa. This will lead to you having caught absolutely nothing.

Also, even if a big crab can enter, the trap won't store a lot of them since the size will be small for holding numerous big crabs. Therefore, you must consider the size of the crab trap to prevent such a situation from happening.

3. Foldable or Non-Foldable?

This is a big confusion that most of the buyers face while purchasing a crab trap. Deciding whether to buy a foldable one or a non-foldable one can be a difficult task if you don't know the purpose and usages. So, let's see these usages first.

A foldable crab trap is more suitable for transporting purposes as it is highly portable. These traps are also light in weight and can save time and effort when it comes to mobility. However, they are small in size, so you may not be able to trap and hold a lot of crabs or big crabs.

A non-foldable crab trap is the opposite of a foldable crab trap. These non-foldable traps are not portable since they are more significant in size and more substantial compared to the foldable ones. However, they can trap and hold giant crabs and that too in substantial numbers.

4. Type of Crabs

Considering the type of crabs you are planning to lure and catch is critical as well. There are many different species of crabs found in different geographical locations. They all differ in terms of shapes and sizes and other features.

Some popular crabs are fiddler crab, cancridae crab, ghost crab, red frog crabs, birdie crabs, shore crab, lybia crab, and European spider crabs, Japanese spider crab, Atlantic rock crab and so on. Some of these crabs are trapped for aquariums while the others for food.

You must look into these types and then decide to select a crab trap accordingly. The trap you decide to purchase must be suitable and compatible in trapping the crab type you are willing to. The craft may be able to escape if you don't buy the right trap.

5. Number of crabs

You need to decide how many crabs you are planning to trap and then make a purchase accordingly. Situations may not be well if you don't consider the number of crabs.

For example, suppose you want to trap a considerable number of crabs but purchase a light-weighted and small crab trap. In such a case, you will not be able to catch the desired amount of crabs, and the trap will be too small for your planned purpose.

Having a too big and bulky crab trap when you want fewer crabs is also not preferable as you will have to go through troubles you didn't need to. So, this again is not a suitable option.

Therefore, you have to decide your purpose and plans regarding the number of crabs you are willing to trap and make a decision with reference to that.

6. Design

The design of the crab traps is crucial while finalizing a purchase. Different kinds of traps are available in various types of designs.

That crab trap you choose must have a proper design that does not allow the crabs to exit once they have entered the trap. If you are going deeper into the sea for catching the traps, then purchasing a box crab trap design may be the most suitable for you.

On the other hand, if you are catching the crabs on the sea bed, the ring net design may work the best for this purpose.

7. Material

Material something which a person looks for in any product he or she purchases. And the same law applies to crab traps as well. You must pay attention to the crab trap material if you want it to be long-lasting and durable and withstand the situations you will put it in.

If the material is not strong enough, then the chances are that the crabs you have will escape. It won't last long so you will have to spend money again on the same kind of product. Therefore, you must purchase one with reliable and durable material.

If you are making the purchase online, make sure to cross-check the reviews and feedback regarding the product and its quality. Also, don't fall for big brands' names as sometimes you may end up with a cheap product from the biggest brand.

8. Number of entrance

There are many different crab traps with varying numbers of entry points. Some of these traps may have as many as 12 entry points, while some have one entry point.

Deciding on how many numbers of entrances you want on the crab trap depends on how much crabs you are planning to trap. If you wish to catch vast numbers of crabs, then you will probably need more number of entrance points and vice versa.

So the number of entrance points again comes back to your preferences and choice of trapping crafts. You must decide on the purpose beforehand.

Once you have finalized the purpose of the crab trap, you will probably finalize its purchase. If you don't follow up with this, then chances are you may end up with an undesirable and unhelpful product.

9. Budget

Budget is a critical aspect while selecting a trap. There is absolutely no use of finalizing and selecting a product that is out of your budget.

Therefore, you need to fix a price range and then search for products that lie in the fixed price range. It is not necessary for expensive products to always be of the best quality. So don't make a purchase based on its brand name and price. Instead, look for the quality and other factors on your own.

10. Uses

As already mentioned, determining the usage and purpose of the crab traps is essential before making a purchase. You must be aware of the situations you will be using the crab trap and the numbers and types of crab you want to catch with it.

You need to know about its usages to select its type, number of entrances, depth, hole size, weight, size, and so on. All of these features are based on what type of usages you will make of the crab trap.

Therefore, first, decide the reason why you need a crab trap and for what kind of situations you will be using it and then make a purchase based on this information.

11. Depth

The depth is another significant component that you must consider before deciding on the crab trap you are going to buy. Some species of crabs are usually found on this issue, while some are found deeper inside the sea.

So you need to be sure about the geographical location of the crab you are interested in catching. Once you are sure about the depth, you have to make the purchase accordingly.

The pressure on the crab trap increases with depth. So, the deeper in the sea you will set the trap, the more pressure the trap will have to face.

The trap needs to be accordingly strong to withstand the pressure in the deep sea. You will lose both the crabs and the trap. A slightly less strong crab trap will work if you are looking at them in the sea's shallow levels.

12. Hole size

The hole size is the last but not the least feature that you must consider when purchasing a crab trap. The hole's size should be large enough to let the crab enter inside the trap but not too large for that crab to escape.

It should be rather in perfectly balanced measurements. There are crab traps that have a funnel type entry which restricts the exit. They are a suitable option for purchase. Folding crab traps tend to have small holes, which reduces the chances of exit, so they are a good option as well.

Some crab traps create a sort of tug when the crab tries to exit. You can easily pull out the crab trap even before the crab has finished eating the bait. In the end, your preferences matter the most. It is important for the crab trap to be according to your needs and suitable for you.

FAQs

1. How To Use a Crab Trap effectively?

Using a crab trap is as simple as using any other fishing equipment. Given below are all the required steps that must be taken into consideration so that you can catch crabs smoothly:

1. Purchase all the trapping material: To catch a Crab, you don't just need a crab trap. You will require different things, such as a line, bait, crab net, and a buoy. Ensure that all of these things should be of good quality, which means the line should have more weight so that the trap can be easily laid under the water. In addition to this, the net should be
2. Attaching the bait: The bait needs to be hung in the trap so that the crab can get attracted to the food and gets trapped in it. It is best to cut the bait in half to spread its aroma widely so that more and more crabs get lured into the trap. Just ensure that the bait is attached to the trap in a secured manner as the waves may unhook it.
3. Attachment of Buoy and Trap: When you are all set with the trap, all you need to do is take a bright-colored buoy and attach a rope connecting to the trap's top.
4. Drop the trap on the seafloor: Once you are done with all this, you can now drop the trap to the sea. And in no time, you will see a large number of crabs in the trap wanting to move out.

2. This is my first time in crab fishing, are there any tips for successful trapping?

We have shared some of the top tips that have worked for many crab fishers:

1. Go for Crab fishing at night: It is better to keep the trap at night and wait for the results in the morning.
2. Good-quality bait: You can visit the nearby market to get crab's favorite food, i.e., chicken neck or fish or razor clams.
3. Select the best trap for crab fishing: You need to choose the best trap that serves your needs well.
4. Try placing traps near water current: Water current is the best area to find most crabs. Thus you need to look for an area with more water currents and set up a trap there.

3. What is the process of catching crabs with crab traps?

Once the crab trap is all set and dropped to the floor, you need to wait for the crabs to get attracted and trapped in the net. The trapper can relax until he feels the line movement as crabs get caged in the net and cannot come out. The crabs try to escape using the small hole, but failing to do so, they stay inside.

4. Are crabs dangerous and poisonous?

No, crabs may pinch with their claws but are not dangerous. They scare people because of their claws. Their lungs are considered poisonous as they don't taste good and cannot be digested easily. So, it is generally recommended not to eat crab lungs.

Final Verdict

Arming yourself with proper crab traps on your expedition will aid you in catching different kinds of crabs. After consulting with a number of experts in the game, we have developed a detailed buying guide covering all the product bases.

Go through all the listed characteristics and evaluate your requirements against them and purchase some ultimate traps.