hi scott,

could you describe the scenario a bit more? Do you wish to go out w/ a bunch(or one) of traps, setting them as you go, and then subsequently bringing them back in one trip or emptying them and leaving them out there?

are you alone, like can you lean across a partners yak?

would you consider an inflatable float inside the trap(pull up, inflate and drag behind),or a kids inflatable boat(say abt 3x6) store behind yr seat untill you need it taking them in and out? there are some quite compact folding crabtraps.

Or a looped drag line instead of the single - you put the yak in the loop and pull the trap up directly under the yak from on top-so no over turn or imbalance, paddle to shore, when trap touches undo line and continue to shore, get out of yak and pull in trap as if shore crabbing(like hold onto line). this is no good if travelling a big distance, but real easy otherwise - just a looped line. you could also have 3 or 4 dangling under the yak and like who's to know?

Or you have to have a float to mark the trap, so why not a float inflatable enough to be the trap float for pulling to shore? 2 for one. Pulley and jam beneath float, pull on the line and jam and clip to yak. head for shore.

-mick