How to Make a Crawdad Net

Crawdads can't escape the right tools.

Some people trawl (chase) crawdads, but to catch enough for a meal, you must herd them into a net capable of catching them and flexible enough to tangle them. Once you catch the crawdads, you must untangle them, so your net must withstand thrashing claws without tearing. Done correctly, your net will prove impassable, and you can enjoy as many crawdads as your creek can provide.

Things You'll Need

• 12 lead sinkers (1/4 ounce)
• One nylon sheet (18 inches by 36 inches)
• One spool of thread
• Six bobbers (3 inch)

Instructions

1. Wrap a lead sinker into the bottom corner of the bottom hem of one of the long edges of the nylon.

2. Pinch a thumb-sized section of nylon around the top of the sinker.

3. Tie the neck of the nylon using the thread into a simple loop-through knot.

4. Secure the thread with a second knot.

5. Tie additional sinkers one-inch apart along the bottom edge of the nylon until a row of 12 sinkers lines the entire bottom of the nylon. The sinkers will serve as ballast and weigh the bottom of the nylon net, so the net stays in place when you place it in the water.

6. Push the top button of the bobber to extend the bobber's bottom metal clasp (J-hook).

7. Pinch one corner of the top of the nylon opposite the lead sinker's into the bobber's metal clasp.

8. Release the top button to withdraw the metal clasp back into the bobber. As the metal clasp draws into the bobber, the nylon will catch on the metal clasp.

9. Clasp additional bobbers along the top edge of the nylon, two inches apart, until you have a row of bobbers along the top edge of the nylon. The bobbers will keep the top of the nylon floating on the top of the water, and the mid-section of the nylon will create a water permeable net.

Tips & Warnings

• Nylon is permeable, but it will restrict water flow, so use it in a portion of your creek that runs slowly. Fast currents require you to use heavier sinkers because the nylon will slide downstream

• Additional types of material that will work include mosquito netting because it has a weave tiny enough to wrap around the sinkers yet wide enough to not restrict water flow and get carried downstream.

References

• How to Make and Set Nets; J. Garner; 1991