Finishing touches!

Ok, the only thing left to do is build the lid and attach it.  The building is easy, just take a look at the picture, it is made of only four pieces of wood.  putting the chicken wire on is similar, just don't wrap the wire around the bottom, otherwise you cannot close the trap (and that would be bad).

First thing after you put on the chicken wire mark the holes for the screws that hold on the hinges so you can drill pilot holes.  Then put on the hinges, be careful to line up the edges or it will not close or open properly.

Next up, putting on the hooks to hold the lid shut.  Be sure to make the distance just enough the get the hook through the eye.  You will want to predrill the holes.  These will go on the lid opposite the side that the hinges are on.  Put the hook on the lid and the eye on the main part.

Next, attach rope to the four corners like in the picture.  This will be for pulling the trap from the water. You will want to test your trap to see if it floats, mine floated a bit, so I had to tie a few bricks to the bottom to fix the problem.

Next up is to build and attach the entrance funnels for the crabs, they taper down to a flat, oblong hole to prevent escape. After you do that, make a tube from chicken wire and attach it in the middle of the box, cut a flap in the wire on one side above the tube, but be sure it remains attached, this will open and close to allow you to put bait in, I recommend chicken, it is very cheap and lets face it, who doesn't like chicken?

The crab funnel is on the side closest to the ground. It appears right below the bait tube.

Ok, the project is done, just remember, don't leave your trap for more than a week in the water at a time, you need to check it so the crabs don't die in the trap along with other creatures that  get in.  Also, don't eat crabs that are dead in the trap.

Good Luck