How to Build a Shrimp Net Trap

Catch shrimp with a homemade net.

You do not have to be a commercial fisherman to catch shrimp. All you need is a net and a place to fish. You can catch shrimp with a net from the beach, pier or from a boat. Purchase net that is white. While it may seem odd, shrimp can see green or blue netting, and they avoid it. You can make a shrimp net trap in less than a day with supplies from craft or hobby, hardware and sporting goods stores.

Things You'll Need

• 3 feet white netting
• Needle and thread or sewing machine
• Scissors
• 4-gauge white wire
• Wire cutters
• 8-foot metal pipe, 1-inch diameter
• Drill and bits

Instructions

1. Fold down 3 inches on one shorter side of the netting. Sew this deep hem into place, creating a tube. Fold the netting in half lengthwise. Sew the long edge and one short edge together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. When sewing the long edge, do not close up the tube, just sew the seam up to this point.

2. Cut two pieces of wire--one that's 42 inches, and the other at 6 inches.

3. Thread the longer wire through the tube on the netting. Bend the wire to make a circle that has a 12-inch diameter, with two tails that are at a 15-inch length. Wrap the shorter piece of wire around the tails, where the circle closes. Spread the netting out along the circle. It should look like a giant tube.

4. Drill two holes in the pole with a 1/4-inch drill bit, 3 inches from one of the ends. The holes need to be opposite each other.

5. Carefully thread the wire tails into the pole, and draw them through the drilled holes. Each tail gets its own hole. Pull the wire through until the base of the net circle is tight against the pole. Wrap the wire tails around the pole tightly, and tuck the ends back into the holes so they are out of the way.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring plenty of ice to keep your catch cold while you are netting more shrimp.

• Be careful of sharp edges when cutting the wire.