Creel

Creel

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In the summer time I usually enjoy a bit of a rake around down amongst the kelp,boulders and puddles.The end result is usually either something edible like a lobster or crab,or something usefull as bait like peelers and hermits.To help me with this ummer pastime I've come up with a creel,or lobster pot,depending on where you're from,which will also catch small crabs and hermits.To make this you need an old wire bin,and some lengths of either tie wire,(from builders merchants),or stripped copper wire as before.

First thing you will need is one of the old-style wire rubbish bins that used to hold the black binbags.

The next part of the job will be very easy if you have a small electrical grinder fitted with a metal cutting blade.It will be more difficult if you have to use large wire clippers,and very tricky indeed if you have to use a hacksaw.Fortunately nowadays you can buy these small grinders for less than a tenner.

You need to cut the metal netting away from the lid and base sections.You will now have 2 sections of wire mesh,one that was the back of the bin,and one that was the "door".

By simply folding over one of your sections you should have a three sided shape appoximately 20 odd inches by 13 or 14 inches on the short sides.

Cut another piece of mesh from your other section that will fit as a "lid" to this shape.

Using your tie wire,lace together the two pieces to form a wire tunnel.

Cut two square pieces from your leftover mesh to fit the two ends.Tie one end on in the same way as the lid,and using half a dozen split rings on one edge of the other end,form a hinged end which will be your access.

To form the entances to the creel,I used small mesh aviary wire.I made a former from scrap plywood to the shape I wanted,then simply bent the mesh around it,lacing up any edges that needed tying.While doing this I also decided to line the inside of the creel with the same mesh.This mesh on it's own would not have been strong enough to make the creel,but as a liner it will assure that the creel will also hold small crabs and hermits as well as the intended lobsters and edible crabs.

Next make a shape from stiff wire,(in this case fence wire),that will keep the end of your wire entrance solid.Tie again with your lacing wire.

All you do now is employ your grinder again to cut a hole in the side of your creel to the size of the wide end of your entrance and lace it into place.

As you can see from this picture,I have made two entrances into my creel,one in the side and one in the end.

And that is it.The gate on the end can be simply fixed in the closed position with either a piece of nylon twine,or a toggle with a rubber strip,and the bait should be tied in the middle of the creel so that it does not wash to the side and be pulled through the mesh by crabs.Either weigh the creel down with a couple of flat stones,or make bespoke weights when you're next making lead sinkers.

My intented way of using this is to take it to some of my favourite low water spots for lobsters and just leave it there,but by adding a rope I'm sure it can be used from rocks or piers as well.