Three shrimp pots lost on the ocean floor

We lost three shrimp pots. While we were lowering the pots, I thought we were at the end of the line and that a kink in the line would work itself free as it had before. I was wrong on both counts. The bouy sank and we haven't seen the pots since.

Our three sport shrimp pots were spaced about 15 feet apart on a lead line with a bouy on the top end of the line. The target depth was 300 feet and it was near a ledge that dropped to 550 feet. We marked the location on our GPS.

I felt pretty bad about losing the pots but now I understand the state laws that mandate an area of the pots be fastened with cotton. That way, the cotton will decompose and a hole will be created for shrimp to come and go as they please.

As I talked about this with other people I was comforted by finding out that losing pots was a common occurence and realized that is also why a state law existed - because it happened so frequently that it was a problem.

Most people I talked to quickly told me that I needed some type of grappling hook to drag the area in hopes of finding our pots. I constructed one out of rebar and dragged the area a few times to no avail. I believe my problems were 1) lack of time in the area, and 2) no weight on the drag line. I think I need at least a 20 pound weight on the drag line.

The loss of our pots occured last fall and I am anxious to get back out there this spring and hope we can find our pots.

If not, it is always nice to be on our boat, no matter what we are doing.