Hoop Net: Suspended Bait Box

Most store bought hoop nets are designed with a double mesh pouch in the bottom ring to put your bait. One of the problems with that is it may take a bit to initially bait or re-bait. Some lobster/crab netters get a wire or plastic bait box to zip-tie to the bottom ring. This speeds up initial baiting and re-baiting, you can also have multiple bait boxes full and ready to go in your home freezer. A major disadvantage to both of these is that the bottom ring does not always land in the center of the larger ring. Having your bait off center can cause you to loose lobster/crab because they may not be in the larger hoop when you pull up. A solution to this is to suspend a bait box in the center of the top ring. This will allow quick bait changes and will help put the lobster/crab in the center as well.

What we need is a bait box, small bungees, utility clips, and stainless steel hog rings.

I picked up a pack of these small bungees at Home Depot for a couple of bucks. First cut off the ends, then clean up the ends with a lighter.

Run the bungee through the utility clip. Then put the hog ring on and partially crimp it down.

Tighten your loop, then crimp the hog ring down all the way.

 Do it to both bungees with both clips.

Then do the same on your bait box. Now you can clip your bait box to the top ring and no matter where the bottom ring goes the bait will stay in the center.