How to Catch a Yabby

Yabby is the regional name for two different kinds of crustaceans in Australia. Most commonly, it refers to the common crayfish, also known as a crawdad, which flourishes in freshwater lakes, rivers and streams of Australia, New Zealand, the United States and many other regions around the world.

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. raw chicken livers
• 1 medium-sized fishing net (the kind that is attached to a pole)
• 1 5-gal. bucket
• 3 high-powered flashlights
• 2 waterproof, nontoxic glow sticks (camping quality, found in camp supply stores)
• 1 pair women's pantyhose (color doesn't matter)
• Scissors
• 2 yards fishing twine

Instructions

1. Find a suitable freshwater body of water in the area of your choice. The best places to find yabbies are rivers and reservoirs that are rocky, because they like to hide in the dark crevices around rocks. The best time to do this sort of fishing is late at night.

2. Fill the bucket about halfway with water from the lake or river. Include a few algae-covered rocks to enrich the water.

3. Cut the 2-yard strand of twine in half and set one half aside. Taking the end of one of the halves, slide it through the opening of one of the glow sticks. Let the glow stick slide about a quarter of the way down the line and tie it securely in place. Repeat this with the other end, and the other glow stick.

4. Wrap the middle part of the twine with the glow sticks around a medium-sized rock and toss it into the river or lake, about 3 feet from the shore. It should instantly cast a small amount of light under the water's surface.

5. Use the scissors to cut the feet of the pantyhose apart from the the rest of the fabric. Cut up to the mid-calf area of the nylons. This will create two sacklike pieces.

6. Fill each nylon sack with raw chicken livers, including the blood from the container, and securely tie the tops of the sacks into knots.

7. Using the remaining yard of fishing twine, repeat the latter half of Step 3, using the liver-filled nylon sacks in place of glow sticks.

8. Wrap the center of the twine around a medium-sized rock and place the bait about a foot from the water's shore. This will attract the yabbies, as they love the strong odor of the liver.

9. Use the fishing net to scoop up yabbies as you see them approach the area. Use your flashlights to shine around the bait to check for them. Put the yabbies you catch into the bucket.

Tips & Warnings

• You can catch yabbies bare-handed by grabbing them from behind. You can also catch yabbies by poking them with a stick so they grab hold of it with their strong claws.

• Avoid the Yabbie's claws, as they are very strong, and pinches from them are quite painful.

References

• Yabbies

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish