How Exactly Do Crab Pots Work on 'Deadliest Catch'?

Over 21 seasons, Deadliest Catch viewers have watched crews of the various fishing vessels haul crab via crab pots. For long-time viewers of the series, watching the action of how to operate the traps has become old hat. For those new viewers, it may still be a bit of a mystery. Without the crab pots, our crews wouldn't be walking away with extraordinary paydays.

The crab pots are designed to lure and trap the prey lurking in the depths of the Bering Sea . While they may seem simple to the untrained eye, there is a science behind these sophisticated contraptions. As science and technology have continued to evolve, so have crab pots. The innovations have allowed for more daring fishing, larger hauls, and an increase in catch rates. So, what are crab pots, and how do they even work?