Ring Trap

• A ring net trap is very simple. It consists of two rings, one slightly larger than the other, connected by a net. You put the bait into the trap and lower it down so it rests on the bottom of the water, where it will lie flat until a crab comes along. Once a crab is in the trap nibbling the bait, you simply pull it up. The larger top ring comes up first, with the net forming a basket that traps the crab. Ring traps are popular because they are very inexpensive (usually less than $5 per trap) and they also pack and store flat, but you'll have to check them every 10 to 15 minutes, so that the crabs do not escape. If you leave ring traps too long, crabs are apt to just eat and run, as there are no walls to keep them in the trap until you pull it to the surface.
  
  

Pyramid Trap

• A pyramid trap is made out of metal wire and gets its name because it forms a pyramid shape when it is pulled up. When it is lying flat, it looks more like a star, so it is sometimes referred to as a star trap. Like the ring trap, it can be packed and stored flat, but it also allows crabs to escape if not checked frequently. The pyramid trap tends to be somewhat more expensive than the ring trap (perhaps around $5 per trap), but is sturdier so that it can be used in areas where the current is too strong for a trap made primarily of netting.
  
  

Box Trap

• The box trap, also called a crab cage or crab pot, is the most efficient method of trapping crabs. Like the pyramid trap, it is made of metal wire, but it is shaped like a cube and is not collapsible. The fact that it retains its shape both in and out of water is both its greatest advantage and disadvantage. The drawback is that this type of trap is quite bulky to transport and to store, but the advantage is that once a crab enters the trap to take the bait, it cannot escape. The box trap is the most expensive type of trap (between $5 to $10 for an inexpensive model and $50 to $100 for more-elaborate models). It is the type most often used by crabbers who wish to catch their limit, and it can easily be deployed from a boat. If you wish to place crab traps out over the open water, you'll need a buoy for each trap to mark the location so you can find it. If you do not wish to purchase buoys, you may make your own from empty gallon plastic jugs, but you might want to paint these jugs in bright colors to make them easier to locate on the water.
  
  

Dip Net

• If you prefer to do things in the simplest, most low-tech way possible, you can trap your crabs using an old-fashioned dip net. This net is similar to a butterfly net, although the pole is longer (about 5 feet) and the mesh is much wider (about 2 inches square). The way to trap crabs using a dip net is to lure them to the surface of the water with a bit of bait attached to a string. Once your crab has taken the bait, you need to scoop it up quickly with the net and then flip it into a bucket or basket. The technique can take a little practice at first, and with this hands-on method you need to be actively involved in catching each crab, but it is actually a very entertaining way to pass a few hours. If you're crabbing for the sheer fun of it and only need enough crabs for you and maybe a friend or two, trapping crabs with a dip net might be your method.
  
  

CrabHawk

• If you'd like to combine the experience of crabbing with that of fishing with a rod and reel, a new type of crab trap will let you do just that. The CrabHawk is a small spring-loaded trap, consisting of a steel frame covered with nylon netting. Once this trap is baited and attached to a fishing pole, you can cast it out over the water. This allows you to catch crabs much deeper in the water than you can with any other method other than dropping crab traps from a boat. The CrabHawk is small, easy to transport, and allows you to tell right away when a crab is on your line, much like crabbing with a dip net, although without having to maneuver with both hands. The main disadvantage of the CrabHawk is that this is a pretty expensive method. The traps sell for around $20 each. Also, in addition to a trap, you will also need a fishing pole, reel and line.