A spring-loaded crabbing device for catching crabs. The spring-loaded crabbing device includes an elongated shaft utilized as a handle, wherein two gripping jaws are connected to an end thereon. The gripping jaws being hingedly connected via a spring biased toward a closed position. The closed position is formed when the outer perimeters of the gripping jaws align with each other, while an open position is formed when the perimeter edges opposite the hinged connection are separated from each other. The gripping jaws are held in an open configuration via a triggering mechanism having two rigid members that are each pivotally attached to a separate gripping jaw and movable radially relative to the gripping jaws. The rigid members of the triggering mechanism interact in a way which allows the gripping jaws to move into the closed position when activated.

A lure for attracting aquatic life comprises a submersible main body portion that defines a watertight interior volume. A removable internal sound cartridge disposed within the interior volume provides a synthetic sound for attracting aquatic life. The removable internal sound cartridge may be exchanged for a second removable internal sound cartridge to provide a second synthetic sound for attracting aquatic life. A speaker operably is coupled to the removable internal sound cartridge and configured to emit the synthetic sound for attracting aquatic life.

A lure for attracting aquatic life comprises a submersible main body portion that defines a watertight interior volume. A removable internal sound cartridge disposed within the interior volume provides a synthetic sound for attracting aquatic life. The removable internal sound cartridge may be exchanged for a second removable internal sound cartridge to provide a second synthetic sound for attracting aquatic life. A speaker operably is coupled to the removable internal sound cartridge and configured to emit the synthetic sound for attracting aquatic life.

A fishing trap runner and fishing trap incorporating the runner, the runner comprising a rubber casing having a core. The core, which may be sectional, provides weight so that the runner can serve as ballast for the fishing trap. The rubber casing protects the core from damaging the trap or fishing equipment and, if the core is sealed by the casing, protects or limits the core from water damage.

A fishing trap runner and fishing trap incorporating the runner, the runner comprising a rubber casing having a core. The core, which may be sectional, provides weight so that the runner can serve as ballast for the fishing trap. The rubber casing protects the core from damaging the trap or fishing equipment and, if the core is sealed by the casing, protects or limits the core from water damage.

A crab pot including a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall disposed between the top and the bottom, the top, bottom, and the at least one side wall being supported by a frame and enclosing an interior space. The crab pot further includes at least one entrance tunnel in the at least one side wall to permit entry of an animal into the interior space, the at least one entrance tunnel including a first end adjacent the at least one side wall and a second end opposite the first end, the second end disposed within the interior space. The crab pot also includes a trigger including at least one rod pivotably mounted at the second end of the at least one entrance tunnel.

An improved bait-fish trap includes a cylindrical, mesh shell having a continuous outer wall, an upper end and an open lower end. The shell houses a mesh entrance cone having a lower base that is concentric with the open lower end of the shell, and an upper vertex in communication with an overlying entrapment chamber. At the upper end of the shell is a releasable hatch for accessing bait fish within the entrapment chamber. Attached to the hatch is a buoyant light for luring bait fish from the entrance cone into the entrapment chamber until they are removed via the releasable hatch. A buoyant tube is circumferentially secured to the inner surface of the upper end so that the shell remains afloat whenever the hatch is opened to retrieve captured bait fish.

An improved bait-fish trap includes a cylindrical, mesh shell having a continuous outer wall, an upper end and an open lower end. The shell houses a mesh entrance cone having a lower base that is concentric with the open lower end of the shell, and an upper vertex in communication with an overlying entrapment chamber. At the upper end of the shell is a releasable hatch for accessing bait fish within the entrapment chamber. Attached to the hatch is a buoyant light for luring bait fish from the entrance cone into the entrapment chamber until they are removed via the releasable hatch. A buoyant tube is circumferentially secured to the inner surface of the upper end so that the shell remains afloat whenever the hatch is opened to retrieve captured bait fish.

A fishing trap retrieval system comprising a strong rope adapted for being connected to a fishing trap at a first end thereof. A strong rope buoy is connected to a second end of the strong rope. A mid portion of the strong rope is maintained in a collapsed form. A load sensitive release mechanism is connected to the strong rope buoy and adapted for being connected to the fishing trap. A weak rope is connected to the release mechanism at a first end thereof and to a surface buoy at a second end thereof. The release mechanism is adapted for transferring a buoyancy load exerted by the strong rope buoy when submerged to the fishing trap in a first mode of operation and for releasing the strong rope buoy when the load acting thereon exceeds a predetermined load threshold in a second mode of operation.

A fishing trap retrieval system comprising a strong rope adapted for being connected to a fishing trap at a first end thereof. A strong rope buoy is connected to a second end of the strong rope. A mid portion of the strong rope is maintained in a collapsed form. A load sensitive release mechanism is connected to the strong rope buoy and adapted for being connected to the fishing trap. A weak rope is connected to the release mechanism at a first end thereof and to a surface buoy at a second end thereof. The release mechanism is adapted for transferring a buoyancy load exerted by the strong rope buoy when submerged to the fishing trap in a first mode of operation and for releasing the strong rope buoy when the load acting thereon exceeds a predetermined load threshold in a second mode of operation.