Abstract: In an entrance gate apparatus for a crab, shellfish, or other animal trap; said apparatus is adapted to be attached to a wall of said trap, and means are provided for selectively adjusting the size of the opening of said entrance gate to prevent animals of a larger than desired size from entering said trap. An adjustable divider mechanism provides means for selectively reducing the size of the opening of the entrance gate. A flexible finger assembly is provided to allow entrance to, while preventing exit from, the trap. The apparatus is preferably constructed of light weight and durable tubular and other molded plastic components.

Abstract: In fish traps of the type that are lowered into and left in the water, an improvement comprising automatic baiter apparatus for obtaining live bait fish in the trap after the trap is lowered into the water while inflicting an injury on the live bait fish. In a preferred embodiment for trapping crabs, the automatic baiter apparatus comprises a plurality of molded plastic flexible fingers secured to a rigid frame to form a converging passageway into the trap when the rigid frame is attached to a similar frame on the wall of the trap. A means for injuring the bait fish is provided by a cutting implement attached to one of the flexible fingers such that the cutting implement will penetrate the stomach of the bait fish as it passes through the converging passageway and is gripped by the flexible fingers as they are deflected and spread apart by the body of the bait fish.

Abstract: In fish or crab traps of the type that are lowered into and left in the water, an improved entrance gate apparatus for allowing entry of fish into, and preventing egress of fish from, the fish trap. The entrance gate apparatus is self-contained and adapted to be rapidly attached to, and through the wall of a fish trap, and in a preferred embodiment, comprises a rectangular frame to which is attached a plurality of flexible plastic finger assemblies which collectively form a converging passageway into the fish trap. The finger assemblies preferably comprise flat individual fingers with blunt ends, a width exceeding one-quarter inch, a thickness of less than 50% of the width, and a spacing for the individual fingers of at least the width, and preferably two to three times the width, of the fingers to provide good visibility through the entrance gate and into the trap.