Quote:
Originally Posted by MathGeek
Two main issues:
1. A bait cannon launching frozen mullet can be made with 2" diameter PVC pipe and stabilized with a weight-forward ice bullet design and a total projectile weight of less than 8 ounces. Crabs are bigger, requiring a 3" diameter PVC pipe. This increases the cross sectional area of the tube and the projectile by more than a factor of two, greatly increasing the size of the air reservoir, the valve, the weight, etc. Air drag is also greatly increased. Getting similar distances with a crab launcher will be much more difficult.
2. Frozen crab has never been as good a bait for us as fresh crab. There is not a lot of motivation to overcome all the above challenges to launch an inferior bait. We're trying to come up with something that would effectively function as a sabot or patch (as in muzzleloaders) that would allow launching fresh crab 200+ yards. Need something that would melt or be biodegradable so as not to pollute. Need inexpensive also.
Maybe a chum like finger jello instead of ice.
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The Biloxi dude had a 3" model and a 2" model. 100 psi, 15 gallon air reservoir, 1/4 turn brass ball valve, but it was big and heavy. He had it mounted in the back of his truck with a battery powered air compressor. He didn't use fresh crab. He did recommend only 20# test line. Said he spooled a huge spinning reel once when using 40# line. I'll bet that was exciting to watch. Hopefully just a loud pop and not a zing there goes the whole rig.