Kim,
 
How were these tin can traps set up: were they simply baited cans with one
end (top) removed, attached at several points on the same end with fishing
line?  What is the minimum and the ideal amount of time for such traps to
sit on the bottom?  Other details?
 
Regards,
 
Scott Jordan
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Kim C. Hutsell <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, September 08, 1998 10:28 PM
Subject: Re: Shell Trapping
 
 
>Paul...
>
>While in Okinawa, I knew several people who were dropping traps for cones
>and for bait they were using (of all things) lettuce!
>
>The late Bill Naylor of San Diego set traps off Cabo San Lucus a few
>times.  His traps consisted of tin cans tied off with fishing line. I
>don't know what bait he used (probably clams), but he caught hundreds of
>Trophon beebei.  Anyone who purchased T. beebei from me at the 1989 COA
>bourse got specimens from Bill's catch.
>
>Kim Hutsell
>Field Research, Marine Malacology
>San Diego
>
>Paul R. Monfils wrote:
>>
>> The only shells you are likely to get by trapping methods are those
gastropod
>> species which are scavengers, that is, which commonly feed on dead flesh.
>> Conus and Oliva are not likely - they feed primarily on live prey.
Strombus
>> would be even less likely - they are vegetarians.  Some Murex species can
>> definitely be trapped though, as can members of the families Buccinidae,
>> Melongenidae, Nassariidae, Fasciolariidae, and sometimes Naticidae.  Of
>> course, hermit crabs will be attracted to bait, so you may get other
kinds of
>> shells that way.
>> Paul M.