Crab and Prawn Traps and Pots

Whether you are anchoring in Desolation Sound or trolling the foggy inlets of the North Coast, our selection of Kufa and Sea King gear is engineered defy the strong currents and resist corrosion. From vinyl-coated wire crab pots that prevent electrolysis to rigid prawn traps designed for 350-foot drops, we provide the expert-grade equipment you need to harvest the Salish Sea safely.

Why Choose Our Heavy-Duty Crab and Prawn Pots and Traps?

• Defy Strong Currents: Our weighted box traps and square prawn pots resist walking, shifting or dragging in high-velocity areas like the Active Pass, preventing gear loss where round traps fail.
• DFO Compliance Standard: All traps are equipped with legal mesh sizing (net openings that meet regulations) and biodegradable rot cord mechanisms (cotton twine that decomposes over time) to meet the strict conservation agreement and “ghostfishing” (lost gear that continues to trap marine life) regulations.
• Electrolysis Protection: We feature vinyl coated and rubber wrapped crab traps (like the Kufa series) that neutralize voltage fields to avoid the process called electrolysis, where electric currents cause metal corrosion. This maximizes catch rates by avoiding repulsion of sensitive species.
• Deep-Water Readiness: Our rigid prawn traps maintain their shape under the immense pressure of 300+ feet deployments, ensuring tunnels remain open for spot prawns.

Common Uses for Crab and Prawn Gear in BC

• Gulf Island Stern-Tying: Compact, collapsible crab traps save deck space on sailboats and cruisers while exploring marine parks in the Southern Gulf Islands.
• Winter Chinook & Prawning Combo: Maximize your winter days on the water in Howe Sound by dropping prawn pots while you troll for Winter Chinook, a fresh seafood dinner guaranteed.
• Commercial-Grade Harvesting: For heavy users, our stainless steel and weighted rebar crab pots are built to withstand the daily abuse of mechanical pullers like the Ace Line Hauler.

How To Choose the Right Crab and Prawn Trap

Determining Your Trap Material

Stainless steel is durable, but bare metal creates a weak electrical current in saltwater. Research shows that large, mature invertebrates detect these voltage gradients. Vinyl-coated traps insulate and mask this electrical noise. Eliminating the galvanic field allows you to rely on the bait plume, which improves the catch rates with skittish Spot Prawns.

Which Trap Shape Do You Need?

While round traps are convenient to stack and transport, they act like wheels in strong currents, rolling away into deep water. They are suited for the best crabbing spots in calm, protected bays. In contrast, square (box) traps use their flat sides and heavy frames to anchor firmly in the mud. This anti-roll design is essential for fishing in high-velocity areas such as river mouths or narrow passes, ensuring your gear stays exactly where you dropped it.

What Type of Mesh to Get?

When dropping to depths of 300+ feet, rigid wire pots (Bauer-style) are a great choice over soft-mesh collapsible traps, primarily because they maximize your catch by remaining static in deep currents. In such conditions, soft netting can flutter and vibrate, which is a movement that veteran commercial fishers avoid because they believe it mimics predators like octopuses, scaring off wary spot prawns. Rigid traps remain silent and static on the sea floor, keeping your bait approachable and your tunnels fully open for maximum entry.

Essential Rigging & Safety

• Use a Lead Line: Propeller entanglement is a major risk. Always use 5/16″ leaded sinking line for the first 50 feet of your haul to ensure the rope sinks immediately below the surface, keeping it clear of your prop.
• Install a Snubber: When hauling prawn pots from 350 feet, the boat’s pitching can tear the trap off the bottom. A rubber snubber acts as a shock absorber, protecting your gear and your hauler.
• Weight Your Line: In deep fjords (steep-sided ocean inlets), the drag (water resistance) on 400 feet of rope can lift your trap. Attach a 5-10lb lead weight 15 feet below your trap to anchor the system while allowing the trap to hover just off the mud.

FAQs

Do I really need a rot cord if I check my traps daily?

Yes. It is federally required for all traps. Use untreated cotton twine (#120) on a release. Lost traps then open, preventing ghost fishing.

How do I stop my crab trap from being stolen?

No method guarantees prevention. Mark your float with a name and phone (3-inch letters) as required to deter theft. Sink your line to avoid boats dragging your gear.

What is the difference between shrimp traps and prawn traps?

Prawn traps use 1-inch mesh to catch large spot prawns, allowing juveniles to escape. Shrimp traps have finer mesh for smaller species. Most BC anglers should use prawn traps to meet DFO rules and avoid bycatch.

Should I use a floating or sinking line for my traps?

You should use leaded sinking line, especially for the top 50–100 feet of your setup. This ensures the rope sinks immediately below the surface, complying with DFO regulations to prevent propeller entanglement and to keep your line from floating away in strong tidal currents.

How much extra weight should I add to my traps?

In high currents, traps can drift. Add 5–10 lb of lead or use heavy rebar frames to secure the traps.

Do stainless steel traps require zinc anodes?

Yes, even stainless steel can corrode in saltwater over time. Attaching a sacrificial zinc anode protects your trap’s welds and helps neutralize the metal’s electrical voltage signal, which many commercial harvesters believe improves catch rates by reducing trap shyness.