I skipped last weekends because of the large tidal swing. We stick to the san juans and those tides would have equaled four lost pots (eventually they come up again ~ it just takes awhile).

I like to pull my pots every 1 1/2 hours or so. We do it by hand so with the 4 pots that's a lot of pulling and not much resting. I think 45 minutes isn't enough time so leave them down a little longer. At the same time over 2 hours doesn't seem to be very good (I think the bait gets old?). A lot of it has to do with luck though. Last year the floats went under and we didn't get them back for 8 or 9 hours. The first one we pulled was loaded with shrimp. More then we've ever got before but the next couple of pots only had 8 or 9 in them.

I like to use puss n' boots mixed with the commercial pellets. Leave one can in with wholes in it and put the rest in a mesh bag. I haven't tried freezing it yet or the fritos thing but those are both on the list for this weekend as is replacing fritos w/dry cat food.