Things You'll Need
Instructions
Tie the bait onto the bottom of the crab trap, which is a cage that closes when you tug on a line. Wrap one end of the wire or heavy cord around the bait. Tie the other end onto the bottom of the cage. Any meat or fish will work as bait. For example, chicken necks are easy to secure and work well.
Attach a leaded line to the top of the harness. Cages have lines that wrap around and join at the top to form a harness. The harness closes the sides of the trap when you pull it up. Loop the line through at the top of the harness. Your line should be approximately 100 to 150 feet long to allow the pot to sit on the sea floor.
Secure a buoy onto the line if fishing from a boat. Follow the directions that come with the buoy for proper attachment. If fishing from a dock, tie the line to the pier so you do not lose track of your trap.
Lower the trap into the water until it sits on the bottom of the sea. If setting multiple traps, drop one every 60 feet. The sides of the cage will drop when it touches the floor.
Wait 10 to 15 minutes. Grab the line and pull the pot up. Keep the pot level. If there are no crabs in the trap, drop it again.
Hold the trap over a collection basket or container. Open one side of the cage and dump out the crabs.