Hi Rod,
A few short answers:
1. You need a license (Non-Commercial Crab Pot License).
2. The rules are at:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/marine_noncomcrabapp-regs.pdf3. You have to tend the trap, by law, every 72 hrs.
4. I have been told that the license applies to only two (2) commercial (Chesapeake) traps or trot lines in the water. I will call the state tomorrow to verify.
5. The type of traps are covered in the rules.
6. I start after the first full moon in June. This year, the last full moon in May works for me. I have a spot that has a lot of bait; is in 4 ft. of water; and the state record was taken thereabouts last year. I often handline an area to see how productive it is before leaving the traps overnight.
7. Be prepared to lose some traps. I lose one every year. Either someone runs over the buoy line (like a wave runner) or some scum just takes it. That is a $40 loss.
Good crabbng brings me 30 keepers in each trap. The highest average for me was 50 in each trap for 2 weeks (last 2 weeks in June 3 years ago).
The crabbing has been much better in my area earlier in the Summer. The water has been in the 90s in late July/August the past two (2) years and I would imagine the crabs borrow in the mud or move to much deeper water, if they can).
I bait with chicken ... I used to use filleted racks of fluke and such but I don't want any problems with Fish and Game.
I will have some entries into the tournament soon ... I hope (and cross my fingers).
Oh yeah, when you are trying to pull them up, the longer you keep them in a soft or muddy area, the harder they are to pull up. Trust me on this one ... I use that pole with the hook on the end (boat pole?) that folks use to pull themselves into slips to grab the line. Oh yeah, you are guaranteed to miss the trap if you have people on board (LOL).
I saw the Chesapeake traps today with turtle excluders for $27. Add a $5 float and some decent line ad you are in business.
Good luck,
Ed
