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Random Quote: Measure it w/ a micrometer, mark it w/ a crayon, cut it w/ an axe.
This past weekend I built and ran my first trout line ever. I now have a more respect for the watermen who take on this challenging task daily. I went to home depot and went to the wire/rope/chain isle where they have all these spools. I asked the manager if they keep the empty ones and he said no I could have it, they would only throw it away. So I took the spool, about 5 inches wide, maybe 1 foot total height with a 1 inch hole in the center of it. I rigged it up on 1 inch PVC and it spun like it was loaded with bearings. I was excited and thought it was the best thing ever.
I ran a 600 foot trout line with salted eel tied every three feet. The spool I had rigged up hung off the side of my boat about 3 inches above the water. We made several passes on the line and got a few crabs but were seeing many jump off the line due to when I did not drive perfectly straight the line would drag on the sides of the spool and each time a bait went through the spool, it would make the trout line bounce just enough to spook the crabs and make them hop off the line. The spool was rolling perfectly though.
A few friends of line run trout lines using no spinning wheel or spool, they use a 4-inch PVC elbow joints to form the shape of the letter “U” that drips down to a few inches off the water. They say this works. I would think the baits would still bounce the line as the slide over the PVC but they said they slide over smoothly.
I know no matter what design I use, it has to be a wider then my spool. It’s very difficult to keep my off-shore series 22 foot center consol boat in a perfect line with a 5 inch tolerance. So maybe I’ll make something about a foot and a half wide.
Can someone offer me a decent design or image of how they do their trout line and what the best way to build this device would be.
Here is the rig I use for running my trot line on my 22 ft. boat. Works great . I find it best to crab in 5-8 feet of water with a hard, sandy bottom. On your line, do you have chain at each end to keep the line on the bottom? I'm new at attaching pics...if these don't come across, I will try again...
I use a 1/2 cynder block then 25' rope to a float to 25' rope to 2' of chain . Make two of these. Buy trott line from a good bait shop,sold in 1000' rolls, I only ues 600-700'.
On each end of the line I put a shackle large enough to hook on to the chain. That way when you are done crabbing the line can be kept separate from the floats, this make it easier to bait the line. I buy a 40lb box of chicken necks and cut them in half and place in ziplocks of 100-120 necks.
When you bait the line start 10-15' from the shackle make a slip knot and place a neck in it, repeat this every 6' or so feet till 10- 15 ' from the other end. At the end of of the day undo each slip knot and toss the old bait. I like new bait each time, unless you use bull lips or eels (they cost more). After a few times out you will get the hang of it. I am lazy and to unbait the line I run it one last time and at the end pull up your float chain and block, place the shackle on a cleat, gun the motor and drag the line. Most of the old bait pops off through the slip knots (only works with necks). My line has broken doing this (when its older) as long as you hold the shakle on the cleat you can swing back to the other float and save both lines.
I do best in 5-8' of water with a hard bottom, get out 1/2 hour before sunrise and catch your limit. Once you crab this way you will wonder why you waited to do it!
Have fun
If you're running a fairly long trotline, you can start again immediately. Some energetic crabbers like to set a line of crab traps nearby to check while they're waiting to run the trotline again. When you're ready, return to the upwind buoy and start the whole process over again!
double check the regs on that not sure if its legal
Nothing like living in the face of a nor'easter I guess???
We live about 150 miles south, on the shores near the waters of Long Bay.
Nor' easters can be major here but we missed this one cause we face mostly south and the big LOW didn't get back together until off of Hatteras.
We had a gust here this AM that was above 40 knts and shook the house pretty good.
Thankfully not blowing on shore here as our island would be wiped out!
What we fear here is the 'canes where the winds can come from the south, espeially if on a high tide.
Our thoughts are with you!!
Been in a N'easter on Hatteras in about 1980. Trying to surf fish, a 16 ounce surf sinker washed up on the beach in seconds, The Bonner bridge rocking when we went over. Had to wait to get out of Buxton on NC HWY12 because the road was washed over so bad.
Something about saltwater that makes me fearless and brings me back to the shore all the time even though I'm 50+ years old.
Don't tell my insurance company that I'm insane, but I think they know already!!!
Damn, It's a great time here!
Hope you weather this one out!!
__________________ Dog Tired
I'm for a government that is by the people and for the people!
crab trout line help needed 
