Prawning and Crabbing in an Inflatable Boat

Prawning and crabbing are popular pastimes across all of Canada. With each province having its own rules on the matter, it’s essential to check your state laws on size, bag and inflatable boat before taking to the water in one of these boats. 

Additionally, you’ll need to invest in proper apparel to stay safe while out on the water. To get started with prawning and crabbing in an inflatable boat, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with all of the necessary equipment and supplies you’ll need when out on the water.

Why Use an Inflatable Boat?

Many anglers choose to crab and prawn from boats rather than on foot or onshore. Boats can allow you to cover more territory, increasing your chances of landing a good catch. But with so many inflatable boat models out there, how do you know which one is right for you? We’ve put together some pros and cons of each type below.

Prawning and crabbing can be done from a canoe, but you’ll catch more and spend less time searching for them if you use an inflatable boat. An inflatable boat won’t cost as much as a regular boat, so it’s perfect for people who are just starting. Also, since they’re inflatable and portable, they’re great for storing away when not in use.

Choosing the Right Type of Crab Boat

The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure you have a boat license. Different provinces and territories across Canada require additional permits, so check your local government website. You’ll need to apply for your permission before buying any traps or boats—in some cases, while you’re waiting for your application to be approved.

If you haven’t purchased them yet, hold off until everything has been approved. To help with your decision-making process, here’s what you should know about choosing which type of crabbing boat is right for you.

With so many options available, choosing a crab boat can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. With a bit of research and investigation, you can find a crab boat that fits your needs and expectations perfectly. Your first step should be determining what type of crab fishing you want to do: clawed crabs or stone crabs? This decision will dictate what kind of boat is right for you. Clawed crabs are typically easier to catch but yield less meat than stone crabs. Stone crabs are more challenging to catch, but their meat is precious.

It’s essential to find a boat with ample room to store your crabs or prawns. A proper crab boat will be able to hold up to 5 pounds of food per person. It should also have a life jacket and anchor on board. The law states each person must wear a life jacket when they’re in their inflatable boat. Most people typically use either an inflatable dinghy or kayak while catching seafood such as crabs and prawns.

Where to Go Crabbing/Prawning?

Prawns and crabs like to assemble where you’ll find lots of food and shelter, such as logs and rocks. However, crab and prawn feeding grounds aren’t always easy to spot, especially when you’re peering into the water from a pier or boat. Most seafood operators will know where to go for good catches, so keep your eyes peeled for fresh baits (such as raw fish parts) before heading out.

Crabbing & Prawn Fishing Etiquette

Here are some tips to be safe on your boat and to protect both you and your fellow fishermen. This is especially important for families with children; make sure they’re wearing life jackets at all times. When crabbing or prawn fishing, you want to avoid pulling any ropes that could tangle your anchor, so use a crab scoop instead. Keep the lines clear of any obstacles that could interfere with crab or prawn traps, which can damage them or cause them to break free of their rope moorings. 

Don’t ever dip your net into another person’s trap. It’s considered illegal in some areas, as it can harm crabs inside by breaking off claws and legs. If you accidentally catch something from another person’s trap, which can quickly happen when diving into a pile of crab traps without looking first, release it as soon as possible. Apologize to those around you who may have been affected by your carelessness. You don’t want to ruin anyone else’s day of hard work! 

Also, if someone has their sign up saying No Diving, please respect that. For safety reasons (since people like to set out nets directly under docks), no one should dive into an area marked off like that.