Mangrove Crabs Drop net size? / type advice please

Same size as blue manner crabs + or - but must be all wire. The muddies will distroy the cord nets. They can even mangle a wire net if left down long enough. When you get the muddies up and in a bucket cover them with a couple of sticks of mangrove leaves. This stops them fighting with each other. Good luck, Cheers. M 2131 VKS

Probably not much help for you in WA, but I saw a smaller version of the ones the pro`s use in the tackle shop/news agent in Weipa last year.
They may be available in other top end locations.
I think the full size ones cost about $60 each so the smaller version should be cheaper.
We helped a pro do his nets one morning (50+ nets), what a hell of an experience that was.



Regards,

Scrubby.

The shape and form of the crabing aparatus will be set down by the particular state fisheries rules.

now it depends on what type of crab pot you are talking about.

Here in QLD suicide dillies are being phased out.....this is a hoop with a conical net made of light material...only any good for sand or blue swimmer crabs...mud crabs simply dont get stuck in em.

Open topped dillies work but you have to run them in short duration

closed traps with funnel entrances are the go for mud crabs, most peopel these days run netting traps, never heard of muddies chewing them up......crocks certainly do.

the number and size on the entrances is specified and varies from state to state.

As for handling & tying mudcrabs...have a look on the NT fisheries web site very good directions.


BTW if you end up with a mud crab attached to a body part, the quickest and most reliably way to get it off is to put it in the water.


cheers

Gday,
Im not sure where you are going , but Im pretty sure pots are illegal throughout WA and you will have to use nets. You will pick them up at any fishing shop as you get further North if they dont stock them down there. The bigger the net the better your chance but its not critical.
Personaly, I dont think you need wire nets as muddies nippers really arent built for cutting but rather hanging on too things.........Ive never had any trouble anyway,
Also an esky full of ice is handy too......throw your crabs in there and it will slow them right down, and stop them fighting......infact too much ice and it will knock them out completely, but dont take that for granted as they can come back to life pretty quickly too as I once learnt!...Hahahaha

Cheers