Deployment and Maintenance Instruction Manual
Printable version of Instructions and Component Parts
- Remove your Crab Pod from your Stow-B-Low Storage Bag (1) by taking hold of the Buoy Harness and the bottom strap (2) of the Storage Bag and pulling the Crab Pod out of the Bag.
- Stand the Crab Pod in the upright position and check to insure that the netting is not tangled (3).
- Take a firm grip on the Deployment Rod and pull down to release it from the safety seat (5). Bring the Rod to the upright position (6).
- The Marine Trap Cord will guide the Rod into the Top Hub. Caution: Do not use the Deployment Rod as a lifting handle. Grab the Top Hub or the Buoy Harness to carry the Crab Pod.
- Make sure that the Service Door is latched and that the Crab Door Clos-ers are not tangled (6).
- Lift the Crab Pod by taking hold of the Top Hub (7). This will release the legs for deployment. Caution: The De-ployment Rod is attached by Trap Cord that is under ten-sion. Keep face and eyes clear during deployment (4).
- Push the Deployment Rod down to deploy (7).
- To lock the Deployment Rod in the deployed position, line up the receiving hole in the Rod with the Locking Slide and slide the pin into the Deployment Rod hole (7).
- The Buoy Harness should always be on the side of the Locking Slide Assembly. This prevents the Buoy Harness from getting in the way of the Deployment Rod when stowed (8 and 4).
- To Close after removing your crabs, take a firm grip on the Deployment Rod and push down to relieve the tension and pull the Slide free (7). Your Crab Pod will collapse.
- Fold the legs together by hand rather than trying to pull them in by pulling on the Deployment Rod.
- Once your Crab Pod is collapsed, replace the Deployment Rod into the safety Seat in the stowed position (4 and 3).
- You should rinse and clean your Crab Pod before placing it into the Storage Bag.
- Place your Crab Pod over your knee and pull the Storage Bag over the Crab Pod Legs with the opening slit up.
Weights are sold separately. We recommend 12oz lead cannon balls w/eye hoops.
- You have received an orange poly line with your instructions. Use this line to attach your weights to the Bottom Hub around the Deployment Rod Socket. See Figure 9 and 10.
- Begin by threading the weights together through eye hoops on the weights. Five weights will fit around the Hub.
- Tread the orange poly line inside the Spreader Legs. This will hold the Weights to the Bottom Hub. See Figure 13.
- Tie the poly line around the netting to secure the Weights to Bottom Hub. See Figure 14.
Washington State Law requires a "Biodegradable Escapement Device" incorporated in each crab pot used in Washington waters. You should consult the Washington State Department of Fisheries at http://wdfw.wa.gov/ or call 1-866-880-5431 to ensure that you are in compliance with all regulations.
- We have chosen to use a biodegradable cotton line to pro-vide an emergency exit in case your Crab Pod is lost.
- We provide a length of cotton string in the bag attached to your Crab Pod (15).
- Use this cotton line to secure the bottom of the Service Door to the Tension Rigging Line and the bottom netting (16).
- Replace at least 7 cable ties (17) along the bottom of the Service Door with the cotton line as shown.
- Once the cotton line is in place, tie off the line with a secure knot and cut off the excess (17).
- You must now remove the cable ties holding the netting together. Cut the head off of each cable tie that has been replaced by the cotton line (18). Be careful not to cut the netting, the orange rigging line or the cotton line! Leave the cable tie at either end where the cotton line is tied off.
- Your Crab Pod is now legal for Washington!
Oregon State Regulations are at www.dfw.state.or.us
List of Component Parts