Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 09, 2023, 05:14:57 PM
Trying to decide to buy a few or make a few. To go cylinder or square.
I have some 1/2”x1” wire mesh. Will this work or is that to big?
How about bait? Just fish carcasses? I caught a few when I was a kid on bacon and cheese.
Post by: KFhunter on May 09, 2023, 05:21:16 PM
Post by: KFhunter on May 09, 2023, 05:22:06 PM
spend money here:
https://www.procrayster.com/
Post by: Jake Dogfish on May 09, 2023, 05:28:03 PM
For bait trout or salmon parts for signal crawfish, anything will work for other species.
Post by: TripleB on May 09, 2023, 05:54:48 PM
https://www.amazon.com/Protoco-CT24-9-Inch-Crawfish-Trap/dp/B003F0PHQY/ref=asc_df_B003F0PHQY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312134190667&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8395480019447764548&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033589&hvtargid=pla-570093127410&psc=1
That is a link for a similar one to the ones I’ve used. 40 bucks is way better than 100 or more dollars for something like those craysters stuff. They do the exact same thing and they are 60 bucks cheaper. Even cheaper if you can find some at a local sporting goods store since no shipping.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 09, 2023, 07:38:37 PM
Good info guys. I build my own cage traps so a crayfish trap shouldn't be too crazy to do!
I plan on smashing some shad! So might have to put that against some stocker trout carcasses.
Post by: Jake Dogfish on May 09, 2023, 07:59:20 PM
You got it KF.:yeah:
Good info guys. I build my own cage traps so a crayfish trap shouldn't be too crazy to do!
I plan on smashing some shad! So might have to put that against some stocker trout carcasses.
I forgot to mention shad is also very good. :tup:
Post by: KFhunter on May 09, 2023, 08:06:56 PM
Post by: KFhunter on May 09, 2023, 08:10:59 PM
You got it KF.
Good info guys. I build my own cage traps so a crayfish trap shouldn't be too crazy to do!
I plan on smashing some shad! So might have to put that against some stocker trout carcasses.
Carp makin crayfish bait in the near future :chuckle:
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 09, 2023, 08:31:33 PM
Post by: Jake Dogfish on May 09, 2023, 08:32:00 PM
What is that? A wood chipper?You got it KF.
Good info guys. I build my own cage traps so a crayfish trap shouldn't be too crazy to do!
I plan on smashing some shad! So might have to put that against some stocker trout carcasses.
Carp makin crayfish bait in the near future :chuckle:
Post by: KFhunter on May 09, 2023, 08:44:51 PM
Post by: Jake Dogfish on May 09, 2023, 08:56:58 PM
ya, 100 bux on Amazon :chuckle:
Right on :tup:
Post by: Blacklab on May 10, 2023, 07:25:54 AM
Post by: Ridgeratt on May 10, 2023, 07:30:50 AM
I kept a lot of perch from last winter, didn't have too much luck with it last summer but I'm going to mix in attractant from craysters and run it through a big hand grinder
Using the wife's food processor on the kitchen counter might not be the recommended method either.
Post by: MeepDog on May 10, 2023, 08:22:21 AM
Post by: Shrimper on May 10, 2023, 08:39:02 AM
All traps work some better than others, Terry Bullard style are great and square shrimp pot style with the 1/2" mesh work great too.
The number one thing you can do regardless of the trap style, this is probably of 90% importance over all else, is to add a bait box and suspend it in the trap so the crawdads have to get into the trap to get the bait. If the crawdad's can get at the bait from the outside of the trap they will never be trapped.
Post by: pickardjw on May 10, 2023, 08:47:55 AM
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on May 10, 2023, 09:05:29 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on May 10, 2023, 09:40:00 AM
I kept a lot of perch from last winter, didn't have too much luck with it last summer but I'm going to mix in attractant from craysters and run it through a big hand grinder
Using the wife's food processor on the kitchen counter might not be the recommended method either.
:yeah:
Definitely use her food processor in the garage!
Seriously though, I bought a food processer at Goodwill for making shrimp bait. Works like a charm..
Post by: mcrawfordaf on May 10, 2023, 12:49:32 PM
I have both cylinder and square (actually rectangle) traps and I get more out of the square. For bait, salmon heads from the grocery store worked the best for me. The store used to sell them to me for a $1.
We also did well with salmon heads.
Post by: pickardjw on May 10, 2023, 01:32:09 PM
Fresh fish for bait is key, preferably the fish from the body of water you are after crawdads in. Other bait works but fresh fish usually out produces all others.
All traps work some better than others, Terry Bullard style are great and square shrimp pot style with the 1/2" mesh work great too.
The number one thing you can do regardless of the trap style, this is probably of 90% importance over all else, is to add a bait box and suspend it in the trap so the crawdads have to get into the trap to get the bait. If the crawdad's can get at the bait from the outside of the trap they will never be trapped.
Bait box/bag is something I'm adding this year. Thinking about starting with a mesh bag like these. Used to use bigger ones chumming in the Gulf, seems like it will work.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MCW1GM2/ref=ewc_pr_img_3?smid=AEO4M9C91FN3D&psc=1
Post by: KFhunter on May 10, 2023, 01:35:35 PM
Post by: Blacklab on May 10, 2023, 04:31:45 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 11, 2023, 12:07:58 AM
If I remember, I will get some pics.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 11, 2023, 01:03:32 AM
Trying to decide if I should do a pivoting door like the crayster, or just a fixed opening.
Post by: Southpole on May 11, 2023, 06:40:30 AM
:nono:I kept a lot of perch from last winter, didn't have too much luck with it last summer but I'm going to mix in attractant from craysters and run it through a big hand grinder
Using the wife's food processor on the kitchen counter might not be the recommended method either.
Post by: KFhunter on May 11, 2023, 06:48:04 AM
Great info y'all. I am going to try to do some building next couple days.
If I remember, I will get some pics.
They recently did a rule change that requires an escape if the gear is lost
Might wanna dig around to see all the requirements
Post by: pickardjw on May 11, 2023, 07:38:03 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 11, 2023, 11:42:59 AM
Post by: KFhunter on May 11, 2023, 02:19:26 PM
Post by: Shrimper on May 11, 2023, 05:31:59 PM
Do you guys think a 1.5" fixed opening is big enough to let all crayfish in? Or does it need to be bigger?
Trying to decide if I should do a pivoting door like the crayster, or just a fixed opening.
All my traps have 3" openings, the biggest crawdads we catch would not fit in a 1.5" door.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 11, 2023, 08:00:29 PM
It has a 1.5” opening but flap doors like the crayster guys square traps.
They open to around 4” if needed then drop back down.
Going to give a cylinder trap a go next.
Post by: dilleytech on May 13, 2023, 09:09:30 PM
Post by: dilleytech on May 13, 2023, 09:14:49 PM
I heard you want to steer clear of smallmouth for bait because they avoid the smell. Cat food cans with holes poked in worked very well for me when I used to trap the stream by Perry tech. The round trap worked well there.
The only time I ever put out craw traps without getting some was with smallmouth carcs. But I did catch some catfish.. salmon and shad is probably the best. Canned food works but not very well.
Post by: dilleytech on May 13, 2023, 09:19:33 PM
Do you guys think a 1.5" fixed opening is big enough to let all crayfish in? Or does it need to be bigger?
Trying to decide if I should do a pivoting door like the crayster, or just a fixed opening.
Our craws get huge I don’t think that’s big enough. More like 2.5”
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 13, 2023, 10:10:05 PM
I got about 75% done with 2 cylinder traps today. Spent some time coming up with a bait container that is suspended in the middle so the little thieves can't eat without going in. Like shrimper was talking about.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 13, 2023, 10:11:11 PM
Post by: Norman89 on June 12, 2023, 10:41:23 AM
Post by: pickardjw on June 15, 2023, 02:12:25 PM
Post by: Norman89 on June 17, 2023, 11:54:33 AM
Post by: Jake Dogfish on June 17, 2023, 01:48:43 PM