How to Build a Crawfish Trap
The small crawfish caught in the wild are trapped live in wire mesh containers. Crawfish trapping is a tradition in the deep South, especially in Louisiana where crawfish are a part of the Cajun food lore. Multiple traps are deployed in grassy bayou or swamp areas. In northern climates the wild crawfish, often called crayfish or mudbugs, are smaller even than those in the South. Wild crawfish are a popular bait for sport fishing. The hybrid pond crawfish most often sold in stores and served in restaurants have giant bodies and small tails. Building your own trap is easy and inexpensive. Oily fish products work well as bait.
Things You'll Need
- 2-by-5-foot roll of 1/4-inch hardware cloth
- Roll of stainless-steel tie wires
- Wire cutter
- Marker
- Pliers
Instructions
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1
Cut a section of hardware cloth 2 by 2 foot, 4 inches. Bend it over and make a cylinder. Intertwine the wire to tie both sides of the cylinder together. Make several insertions weaving wire back and forth in a stitching motion
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2
Use the remaining hardware cloth to cut out a semicircle that is 9 1/2 inches in diameter. Fold the semicircle in half along the flat side to form a funnel shape. Connect the halves of the flat edge together. Cut the pointed end of the funnel to create a 2-inch hole in the end. Avoid sharp edges and carefully shape funnel in place.
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3
Insert the funnel into the cylinder and tie them together using the stainless-steel wire. Use several pieces of wire at different locations to provide support for the trap configuration.
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4
Find a location on the side of the cylinder to create a door. Use the marker to draw a 4 1/2-inch square door.
Use the marker to draw lines from the corners using an X pattern. Cut these X-shaped lines then fold the flaps in. Use steel wire to fasten the flaps to the cylinder. Again use several pieces of wire. Twist wire into position and cut off any extra wire from cage connection.
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5
Cut another hardware cloth that measures 7 1/2 by 13 1/2 inches.
Fold the cloth piece in half. It will serve as your door. Lay it over the opening and make two hinges. Tie it together to finish your trap. Leave some movement to allow for the hinge action and ease of opening and closing.
Add tie down line to trap. Anchor the trap to a tree or submerged stump.
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Tips & Warnings
Run traps daily.
Frozen ground up oily fish parts make excellent bait for traps.
Use an ice chest to cool and hold crawfish before delivery to a bait shop.
A canoe, pirogue or small rowboat is ideal for navigating shallow swamps and bayous.
Beware of other swamp or bayou canimals like snakes and alligators.
Wear heavy gloves and insulated hip boots or waders.
Carry a long, hooked pike with you to retrieve traps and to use for balance and protection.
References
- Photo Credit prawn"s trap image by paologo from Fotolia.com
