lobster trap question???

[slipknot]

i asked this over on FS. and still cant get an educated answer.why are lobster traps made of wood?every time i ask this question i get a different answer.maybe some of you guys can help?:confused:

[johnhermes]

In the keys, Lobster and stony traps are usually wood. My guess is that wood is cheaper, since the lobsterman usually spend the month of July building and repairing traps down in the keys. Every time a big blow comes through, they lose a ton of traps too.

[FredT]

Wood is required by state law to limit ghost fishing by lost traps.

IMNSHO any fish or other marine trap should be designed to "self destruct" after a certain time period equal to about twice the normal servicing interval. Attaching one pannel of a wire trap with aluminum crip sleeves on 3 sides with the fourth side connected with uncrimped stainless sleeves will allow a panel of the trap to open up and release trapped fish, and stop all future ghost fishing by that trap. If the trap is eventually recovered the fisherman simply replaces the missing aluminum sleeves and the trap is good to go again.

While it is illegal to tamper with a properly set bug trap, it is common practice to remove one slat from ghost traps found after the end of the season. The trap is easily repairable if recovered, but the ghost fishing stops with the removal of the slat.

FT

[dlock]

Good ideas,I totally agree with you FredT...great post as usual:D

[johnhermes]

Plastic Vs wood makes no difference here. The plastic traps have a wood panel on the side that disintegrates fairly quikly. Again, I believe the commercial guys use wood for cost reasons only.