Lost crabpots part 2 - ropework

[TheRealAndy]

I decided to replace all my ropes and floats recently as the old ones are getting tatty. I dropped into crab'n'gear to get some floats and ropes, and accidently bought some new pots too

Whilst I was in the process of making up all my ropes I decided that I should document the process and post it up here. SO here goes. I will seperate this over 2 posts, keeping the float part seperate cause there is a few tricks.

So the photos on this post show pot and the ropes. I typically make up 2 ropes for each pot, one that is 4 metres, and one that is 6. I usually only crab in ly local areas, so the 4m rope is all i need, but I make the other one for when I go on holidays or a trip away. IF needed I can make it even longer with additional ropes.

Each rope has a eye splice at each end. The idea here is that I can loop the rope through itself to join on the pot, and I can also loop extra ropes through the other end to extend my rope. There is no clips or fixtures to break, just good old fashion ropework, all self taught.

[TheRealAndy]

So now for the floats. I normally use a single float system where I crab, as there is bugger all tidal flow and my pots are usually well out of the main channel. However I have decided this time to go for a 2 float system. Its not much more complicated, in fact Mike from crab'n'gear will join them together for you. I used his sytem, just spliced the little orange rope together for a bit of added security.

After splicing the orange rope together, i make up another rope so I can join the float to my pot ropes. To this I make an eye splice. The first splice must be able to fit around you largest float, but only just. Measure it up first. If you are splicing then check after the first tuck.

The next step is to splice the rope around the float. For this step a marlin spike is a handy tool, but not a must. Makes it easier to sperate the lay of the rope.

[TheRealAndy]

And last but not least, the final product. Not where the rope is mounted in relation to the drawstring on the pot, this side should always be downstream of the current. Also note the baitbag, its on the upstream side.

BTW, if anyone is intereted in learning splicing and cant figure it out from the web feel free to give me a shout. I am more than happy to show you the tricks, but just remember I am self taught! I have been doing it for a few years now though.

[Pete62]

Very nice work Andy................. What's ya fav bait?

Cheers, Pete

[nuggstar]

thats great mate. all ya need to do now is catch some crabs.

[TheRealAndy]

Thanks guys. Pete I just use mullet. The fresher the better. If I cant catch it I use whole fresh mullet from morgans. IF I cant get that I will use a frozen mullet.

I have tried adding some leftover bait pillies before, but had less success. May just have been a bad day for crabs though.

[TheRealAndy]

thats great mate. all ya need to do now is catch some crabs.

Well I caught some crab. Took 4 massive muddies and 1big sandie in the space of about 4 hours. Sad thing is they were all caught in my old pots, none in the new pots!! I got none up the creeks, all in the mouth and all in the deep. You can blame that on the big tides and the recent rain I suspect.

The muddies are hanging out in the sandcrab territory at the moment!

[trueblue]

new pots stink of being new for a while... they don't typically work the irst few times.

cheers

Mick

[trueblue]

I have a fairly good system for crabbing myself (me thinks)

I have no ropes attached to my pots, just a lifting bridle.

For ropes, I have several drums of ropes, all different lengths. All ropes are colour coded fo length with coloured heat shrink.

My rope lengths are 3m, 5m, 7.5m, 9m and 15m, all with eye splices on each end.

I use old electrical wire spools, and wrap all of my ropes onto the drum, zip tying them together to keep it neat.

This way, while i am out crabbing, I can choose the correct legth of rope for wherever i choose to drop my pot.

To attach to the pots lifting bridle, I back hitch with the splice.

To attach to the floats, I use a clip with a locking screw gate. Each float has a spliced bridle through it ready to go.

I'll take some photos later

cheers

Mick

[trueblue]

better not to connect one rope to the side of the pot - they can roll upside down when setting them

better to tie a lifting bridle onto the pot so it lifts properly and will land on its bottom

[TheRealAndy]

better not to connect one rope to the side of the pot - they can roll upside down when setting them

better to tie a lifting bridle onto the pot so it lifts properly and will land on its bottom

When I set the pots, I just coil the rope up on top of the pot, along with the floats and drop the pot into position. I thought about the bridle idea, but figured I did not really need it.

[trueblue]

thats fair enough if you drop them flat. I have seen people hang onto them by the rope and then drop them which sets them down sideways and they could roll wherever.

just make sure there are no possible tangles when dropping the pot with a coil of rope on top. If there is a tangle, the float will go under and not come up

[bondy99]

G'day people,

Interesting to read, I have all my pots sunk down at a creek but that was 5 days ago just when my car's engine blown a head gasket and broken piston rings.

I hope my post will still be there, it will be a bonus, the crabs would have gone by now, probably by courteousy of local crab rustlers.

Hope to catch up with you when I can. Peter

[TheRealAndy]

thats fair enough if you drop them flat. I have seen people hang onto them by the rope and then drop them which sets them down sideways and they could roll wherever.

just make sure there are no possible tangles when dropping the pot with a coil of rope on top. If there is a tangle, the float will go under and not come up

I am a sailor mate, no such thing as tangles

[trueblue]

I finally got around to taking some photos of the way I rig up my crab pots.

I have no ropes permanantly attached to my pots, just a lifting bridle.

For ropes, I have several drums of ropes, all different lengths. All ropes are colour coded for length with coloured heat shrink.

My rope lengths are 3m, 5m, 7.5m, 9m and 15m, all with eye splices on each end.

I use old electrical wire spools, and wrap all of my ropes onto the drum, zip tying them together to keep it neat.

This way, while i am out crabbing, I can choose the correct legth of rope for wherever I choose to drop my pot.

To attach to the pots lifting bridle, I back hitch with the splice.

To attach to the floats, I use a clip with a locking screw gate. Each float has a spliced bridle through it ready to go.