Northwest Fishing Reports

So in preparation for the may start of crawfish season today I bought all the essentials as I am just starting out. My question is if my rope is smaller than the hole in my buoy should I be worried. Could that become a problem for me? Also any tips on some good knots to tie with a rope and buoy. And last question how would I go about meeting regulations regarding this.

All crab, shrimp, and crawfish pots must be equipped with a biodegradable device (rot/escape cord) and shall include one or more of the following:
(1) securing the pot lid hook or tie down strap with a single loop of cord; or
(2) sewing a 3" by 5" escape panel in the upper half of pot closed with cord; or
(3) attaching the pot lid or one pot side (serving as a pot lid) with no more than three single loops of cord.

I was thinking about doing number 2 any ideas on how to do this with a http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-C ... _THUMBNAIL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

links to instructions/instructions would be helpful!

I cut a sort of diamond shape out 3 x 5 and tied it back in with 4 pieces of cotton cord the size it states in the regs. I don't know that size off the top of my head.

hurricanesaints wrote:So in preparation for the may start of crawfish season today I bought all the essentials as I am just starting out. My question is if my rope is smaller than the hole in my buoy should I be worried. Could that become a problem for me? Also any tips on some good knots to tie with a rope and buoy. And last question how would I go about meeting regulations regarding this.

All crab, shrimp, and crawfish pots must be equipped with a biodegradable device (rot/escape cord) and shall include one or more of the following:
(1) securing the pot lid hook or tie down strap with a single loop of cord; or
(2) sewing a 3" by 5" escape panel in the upper half of pot closed with cord; or
(3) attaching the pot lid or one pot side (serving as a pot lid) with no more than three single loops of cord.

I was thinking about doing number 2 any ideas on how to do this with a http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-C ... _THUMBNAIL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

links to instructions/instructions would be helpful!

If I am understanding your first issue, the rope being smaller diameter than the buoy hole, it has to be, to fit through the buoy. No worries on ANY of that stuff about what knot to use, etc. on the buoy tie to rope issue. Someone will tell you to use some fancy knot. In reality it is a 3lb crawfish trap sitting on the bottom of a quiet lake. It's not really under any stress.
As far as the keeping it legit on the escape string... Just take the two points on the middle of the trap, the two points where it is a metal to metal, sort of hook. Don't use the hook. I would tie the pot together with cotton string. Just realize you are making a potential escape with rotted away string. It doesn't have to be fancy.

I'm not a fan of that particular style trap. I found that the more you open and close it via those metal hooks, they immediately wear out. I like a trap with it's own separate door, and that is easily setup with string, to be legal.

hlindsay wrote:I cut a sort of diamond shape out 3 x 5 and tied it back in with 4 pieces of cotton cord the size it states in the regs. I don't know that size off the top of my head.

do you know anywhere in seattle or any online store that sells thin cotton cord?

hurricanesaints wrote:

hlindsay wrote:I cut a sort of diamond shape out 3 x 5 and tied it back in with 4 pieces of cotton cord the size it states in the regs. I don't know that size off the top of my head.

do you know anywhere in seattle or any online store that sells thin cotton cord?

You can buy cotton string by the ball from any hardware store.

Thanks!