6 best crab pots

Crab pots, also known as crab traps or crab cages, are specialized fishing devices designed to catch crabs. They are commonly used by fishermen and recreational crabbers to harvest a variety of crab species for culinary purposes. Here's what you need to know about crab pots:

Design and Structure: Crab pots are typically constructed from wire mesh or plastic-coated wire. They come in various shapes and sizes, but a common design consists of a rectangular or cylindrical cage with entrances on either end. The entrances are designed to allow crabs to enter the pot but make it difficult for them to escape.
Bait Traps: Crab pots often feature a bait chamber in the center or at one end. Bait, such as fish, chicken necks, or other seafood, is placed in the bait chamber to attract crabs. Crabs enter the pot in search of the bait and become trapped inside.
Operation: To use a crab pot, it is typically lowered into the water and left to sit on the ocean or river bottom for a period of time, commonly referred to as a soak time. Crabs are lured into the pot by the scent of the bait. When the pot is retrieved, the entrances are closed, trapping the crabs inside.
Regulations: The use of crab pots is subject to fishing regulations that vary by location and species. These regulations may specify the types of pots that can be used, the minimum and maximum size of crabs that can be harvested, and the seasons during which crabbing is permitted.
Types of Crabs: Crab pots are used to catch a variety of crab species, including blue crabs, Dungeness crabs, stone crabs, and others, depending on the geographic location.
Recreational and Commercial Use: Crab pots are employed for both recreational and commercial crabbing.Recreational crabbers typically use fewer pots and are often subject to size and catch limits, while commercial crabbers use larger quantities of pots to harvest crabs for sale.
Safety: Handling crab pots can be physically demanding due to their weight when loaded with crabs and equipment. Proper care should be taken to avoid injury when setting and retrieving pots.
Storage: When not in use, crab pots are often stored on boats or onshore. Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential to prolong their lifespan and prevent rust or damage.
Environmental Impact: The use of crab pots can have an environmental impact, as they may inadvertently catch non-target species or trap undersized crabs. Some regions have implemented regulations and gear modifications to minimize bycatch and environmental harm.

In summary, crab pots are fishing devices used to catch crabs for both recreational and commercial purposes. They are designed with bait traps to lure crabs, and their use is subject to fishing regulations to ensure sustainable crab populations. Proper handling and maintenance are crucial for the effectiveness and longevity of these traps.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best crab pots on the market

Promar TR-530C2 Heavy Duty Crab Pot with Complete Rigging

American Maple Inc

Based on 281 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Promar tr-530 heavy duty crab pot is one of the most popular crab traps used in the Pacific Northwest for Dungeness, Stone, and rock crab. This trap is a proven force for recreational anglers who target these larger stature crab species. This purchase will also include the Promar ne-104 4 Arm crab pot harness and the ne-103cr kit. Essentially this purchase include all needed components for rigging the heavy duty crab pot.

Vinyl coated steel construction
3 entrances
4 Arm harness
100 ft lead line
5" X 11" Red and white PVC float

User questions & answers

Question:	Is the 4 arm harness vinyl or steel
Answer:	This 4 arm harness is vinyl with plastic hooks. I recommend replacing the 4 arm harness that comes with the kit with one that has metal hooks and is better secured from hook to rope. The one that it comes with can easily come apart from rope to hook. But everything else the kit comes with works perfectly.
Question:	Doe this trap fold down to become flat for storing purposes
Answer:	No, it does not fold down. However, there are other promar models and other brands that do. A tip is also use weights inside the trap, it’s a little light so it doesn’t necessarily drop straight down in currents.
Question:	Is this California compliant? Are escape rings big enough? Is the biodegradable string and door compliant with regulations
Answer:	This product is California compliant. The escape rings are 4.25" and the cotton cord is rigged according to CA regulation.
Question:	What is the diameter and height
Answer:	The diameter is 32", and height is 11".

Promar TR-555 Folding Crab Trap with top Door 24"" x 22"" x 13""", Multi

Promar

Based on 71 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Headquartered in Gardena, California – Promar is a global leader of fishing tackle accessories and outdoor products. With over 60 years of manufacturing and product development experience, we currently manufacture more than 500 products under our brands. Driven by innovation and rooted in quality, Promar premium products are designed, built, and customized to provide an enhanced experience for the outdoor enthusiast.

4 entrances
Collapses flat
Hinged tending door
Two 4 3/8 inch escape rings

User questions & answers

Question:	What do you use the trap for
Answer:	This trap is designed for Dungeness, Rock, and Stone Crab. This trap is not recommended for Blue Crab.
Question:	There were rubber bands on the trap doors when I got it but not in pictures. Are they required to keep doors shut
Answer:	I think those are just for shipping. Legally, at least in California, it is required to have cotton rope which can rot away and release the crabs should the crab pot be lost.
Question:	Are the grid openings small enough to prevent blue crabs from escaping
Answer:	The escape holes are 4 3/8" and the grid is much smaller than that. Typical Legal limit for blue crab is 5" (at least here in SC) so this should be fine.
Question:	Can the crab go outside the trap door or it’s one way open door
Answer:	The entrance doors on this trap are one-way doors. The crab can get in, but not get out.

Product features

Promar TR-555

Perfect for crabbing, the Promar Folding Crab Trap makes a great choice for recreational and professional crab enthusiasts. Featuring four entrance doors, a tending door, and two 4 3/8" escape rings, you are able to catch and hold the desirable sized crabs you’re after. Construction of vinyl-coated steel wire, this durable trap folds flat for easy transport and storage.

Angler Access

Trap is constructed with harvest door on the top of the trap. Trap does not include a bait box/holder.

Promar TR-530C1 Heavy Duty Crab Pot with 4 Arm Harness , 30" diameter

American Maple Inc

Based on 63 reviews Check latest price

Product description

vinyl coated steel construction
3 entrances
internal bait box
top hinged door
4 arm harness included
Included components: Heavy Duty Crab Pot and 4 Arm Harness

User questions & answers

Question:	Can I use this in southern California
Answer:	You would not be able to use this in Southern California, Traps are illegal for sport fishing. You must have a commercial fishing license in order to use traps in saltwater in Southern California.
Question:	What is the dimension of this trap
Answer:	The Dimensions of the this trap are 29.5" x 29.5" x 9.5".
Question:	Can you use this off a pier in the San Francisco Bay
Answer:	Yes. You could provided California Fish and Game allows you to use a trap in San Francisco bay to catch Dungys and Rock crab. Most people use a baited hoop open hoop ring in the bay to catch crab. I would definitely check your local regulations.
Question:	Could you use it to catch crawfish
Answer:	This trap is not intended to catch crawfish, it was designed for larger stature crab. The size of the mesh is about 3" x 3" so it would be very easy for crawfish to escape.

HIWARE Lobster Crackers and Picks Set, 10-Piece Crab Leg Cracker Tools - Stainless Steel Seafood Crackers & Forks Nut Cracker Set - Dishwasher Safe

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

UPGRADED VERSION, ENHANCED STURDINESS: The new cracker is about 1.5 times heavier than the previous and others - up to 4.5 oz - making it sturdier and more durable. Even for some larger, harder seafood like the Boston Lobster and King Crab, it would be easy and safe to break and open them without any difficulty and cracking.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR SEAFOOD: These tools will replace your hands to deal with crab, lobster, scallop, oysters and more. Instead of the laborious and messy disassembling of the lobster and crab manually, you don't have to worry about the hard shell or not being able to get the whole meat out, using seafood tools allows you to enjoy seafood elegantly and simply.
MADE OF DIE-CAST ZINC ALLOY AND STAINLESS STEEL: Our crackers are constructed of die-cast zinc alloy which has better hardness and is especially suitable for handling these hard-shelled foods. The stainless steel picks are also very strong and durable. They are all anti-corrosion and anti-rust, and will serve for a long time.
DESIGN FOR DIFFERENT SEAFOOD PARTS: The different serrated parts of the cracker are specially designed for different sizes and shapes of seafood. The slender crab legs can be processed in the smaller serrated part, and the larger claws can be placed on the large jagged part. The picks can get the meat from the crab legs or lobster tail easier and faster.
DISHWASHER SAFE: Our crackers and picks are totally dishwasher safe, So don’t worry about cleaning.

User questions & answers

Question:	I was just reviewing my orders and realize that I never received this crab cracking set. I see that it is listed as delivered, but I never received it
Answer:	No.. The mallets did and I just keep it all together in that bag.
Question:	Does this set come with a storage bag
Answer:	Considering the thin shells that hazelnuts have, I would say they would work fine for hazelnuts. Bon Appetit!
Question:	Can these crack hazelnuts
Answer:	I/2 inch is the smaller opening. So probably nothing smaller tha 3/4 inch will be crunche
Question:	Can it crunch smaller pieces
Answer:	This lobster and crab tool set includes two chrome plated shell crackers and six stainless steel seafood forks and provides an absolutely necessary element for enjoying delicious crab and lobster dinners.

Product features

Hiware New Version 10-Piece Seafood Tools Kit

Professional Seafood Tools Set: includes 2 zinc alloy crab crackers and 8 stainless steel crab leg forks/picks. Our versatile set is a must-have in any kitchen, restaurant or parties and makes a fantastic gift to anyone with taste for seafood

Heavy Duty and Durable: Solid die-cast zinc alloy crackers with jagged teeth and durable hinges to take significant pressure; High-grade double ended stainless steel forks.

Safe: Anti-slip grooved inner sides of crab crackers prevent slipping and will grab the object with secure but safe grip; Ergonomic design of the handle secures safe grip; Our set is rustproof and dishwasher safe to last for years to come.

Mess Free: Ideal for eating whole lobster and crab without worrying about the waste; Our seafood tools will get the meat out of most difficult parts to reach to or out of hardest parts to break; This is a mess-free and fun operation that will leave all the diners clean and satisfied with every bite

Perfect and Versatile Gift: With their beautiful finish, timeless design and high purpose, our seafood tools make a unique and appreciative gift to impress friends, family or chefs; Ideal present for house warming parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas or birthdays; This set will look stylish in any household and will be talking point at many parties

HIWARE is the definitive kitchenware brand with over 20 years of foodservice and hospitality industry experience. Reliable and trusted by professionals, our commercial lines of products, span from tabletops, restaurant kitchens supplies to utensils. We are now very proud to make our tools and gadgets available to any home cook and hope to give them the joy of using quality utensils loved by professionals.

Promar TR-830C1 30" Stainless Steel Crab Pot with 100' Lead Line

American Maple Inc

Based on 12 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Promar Commercial style Pacific Northwest crab pot is the same design many successful professionals use to harvest Dungeness and rock crab. Built to handle repeated use and long soaks, this pot is constructed with heavy rubber wrapped rebar and stainless steel mesh. Includes 100' Of 5/16" Lead line. Measures 30" Diameter, 10" High/weight: approx. 22lbs. Check your local and state regulations for season and gear restrictions.

Super Heavy Duty Pacific northwest commercial style
Rubber wrapped rebar frame with stainless steel mesh
2 gated entrance tunnels
2 x 4.25 inch juvenile crab escape rings
100 ft. 5/16 inch lead line

User questions & answers

Question:	The two wires that connect the two entrances, is that meant to be removed before use
Answer:	Hello, No these wires are designed to hold the entrances in place. There is nothing on this trap that is designed to be removed before use.
Question:	How many crossbars does the pot have on the bottom on the picture I see one on the video by customer I see to what is
Answer:	The new generation traps come with dual cross bars on the bottom of the trap. The older generation had a single cross bar.
Question:	Where are the weight bars to hold the spots from floating away with the strong tides
Answer:	There aren't any weight bars. These aren't commercial crab pots, so they're lighter, but they're very well built and work well. We crab in CA at 200 foot depths and they work extremely well.
Question:	Is the rubber wrapped rebar stainless steel rebar
Answer:	No, the rubber wrapped sections on this trap is not stainless.

Danielson Pacific FTC Crab Trap-24in x 24in x 13in,Blue

Danielson

Based on 539 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Danielson Pacific FTC Crab Trab is constructed of vinyl-coated steel wire and measures 24" L x 24" W x 13" H. It features four entrance doors and two escape rings for small crabs with a fall-away rot-cord system to disable the trap should it not be retrievable. Folds flat for easy transport and storage.

As a favorite of sport and recreational crabbers throughout the Pacific Northwest for the last 40 years, the original folding crab trap for Pacific Northwest crabs has sold over 1 million traps
Constructed of vinyl coated heavy duty steel wire, its durable design stands up to heavy use in salt water
The trap expands to 24 x 24 x 13 inches and folds flat for easy transport and storage and features four entrance doors and two escape rings for small crabs
Proven effective at catching Dungeness and Rock Crabs and meets all legal requirements for crab traps in Washington and Oregon with a fall away rot cord system to disable the trap should it not be retrievable
Simple design ensures easy bait placement for bait cages or bait bags. Catch your own delectable crab

User questions & answers

Question:	Does it come with the rod-cord
Answer:	i do not know want a rod-cord. is if you are asking if it comes with a rope then no it does not
Question:	Is there a bait cage in the trap
Answer:	No you will have to get one. But the Danielson bait trap is great.
Question:	after assembling the trap I broke the rubber bands off, are these supposed to stay on the entry doors I so how do the crabs get in
Answer:	The rubber bands need to be removed. Crabs get in by pushing the doors in. They can't push out. If you are in California, you do have to modify the excapes ring with the cotton line to meet the new regulations.
Question:	Can this cage catch lobsters
Answer:	It won't catch any lobsters, unless it's pig size lobsters