Our Story

On a visit back to Laos, John met Tina, who would become his wife. The couple made their home in Eureka, where they started a family and welcomed three sons: David, Jonathan, and Daniel Raxa.

With little money and a determination to provide for his family, John tried his hand at several ventures. Most did not succeed. He found his calling when he went to work for a crab pot manufacturer and began learning the craft from the ground up.

John learned to wrap frames in rubber, knit wire by hand, and understand the details that go into making a dependable crab pot. As his skills developed, he saw an opportunity to build a business of his own. He took that step with Tina, founding Commercial Crab Pots and establishing the standards of workmanship that continue to guide the company today.

In 1999, John died in a boating accident at the entrance to Humboldt Bay, leaving behind Tina and their three young sons. Their youngest was not yet one year old.

Tina spoke very little English and now had three young children to support. Determined to keep John’s legacy alive, she persevered, raising their sons while working to sustain the business they had built together.

When Tina later met Guy Bravo, she taught him the craft of making crab pots and the day-to-day work of running the shop. Together, they carried the business forward, building on John’s work and continuing to serve North Coast fishermen.

Today, Tina Bravo owns and leads Commercial Crab Pots in Rio Dell, California. For more than 30 years, fishermen have trusted the family business for the quality of its pots. Tina, Guy, and the crew carry on the tradition John established: careful workmanship, quality materials, and dependable crab pots built to serve fishermen for many seasons.