Fish traps are used to catch various species of aquatic animals around the world, including shellfish from the sea such as shrimp and lobster, as well as animals from lakes or rivers such as crayfish and catfish. Understand the rules regarding how to use fish traps in your area. If you can use it, you can make these things easily.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Determining Your Needs
Step 1. Determine the dimensions of your fish trap
The size of the trap varies greatly, depending on the type of fish you are trying to catch and the location of the catch. Minnows and panfish, which are often used as bait, can be caught in 30 cm to 61 cm traps, while large catfish, carps, and suckers require larger traps. You should also make sure the trap is not higher than the water when setting it up in shallow water.
Step 2. Choose the shape of your trap
Most traps are rectangular with a 1:2:4 ratio of height, length, and width. However, cylindrical traps are also good for use in waters without currents where they can roll and break.
Step 3. Select the material you will use to make the trap
In Alabama, United States, catching catfish has become a local tradition for generations. Craftsmen usually make the finest fish traps from sheets of white oak joined together with galvanized steel or copper wire. Because their manufacture requires a lot of time and special skills, it is easier to make traps with wire mesh or cage fencing nets.
You need to determine the size of the wire mesh according to the type of fish you want to catch. For minnow fish, 0.5 to 1.5 cm wire can be used. As for sucker fish or carp, the use of cage fence nets (chicken wire) is more suitable and cheaper to use
Part 2 of 3: Making Fish Trap
Step 1. Provide 12 pieces of wood to make the frame
You will need 4 pieces of wood for the back frame, 4 pieces for the top frame, and 4 pieces for the side frame. For example, a 30 x 6 x 120 cm trap requires 4 pieces of wood 30 cm long, 4 pieces of wood 60 cm long, and 4 pieces of wood 120 cm long. Larger or smaller traps require longer or shorter pieces of wood.
Step 2. Make a box frame using 12 pieces of wood
Arrange the pieces in a cube shape. First of all, make 2 slightly shorter squares with cut sizes parallel to each other. After nailing the two boxes together, connect them to 4 pieces of wood to form a box-shaped frame.
Step 3. Cut the wire mesh to a size large enough to cover the box
Make sure you leave some space left. A 30 x 60 x 120 cm trap requires a sheet of wire 1.8 m long and 1.2 m wide.
Step 4. Fold the wire mesh on the longer side of the trap box
Make 90-degree covers at the corners of the wood joints using wire mesh folded at the outer corners of the trap frame. Tie the 2 edges of the sheet together with plastic "snap ties" or light gauge wire.
Step 5. Cut some more wire to cover one side of the trap box
This piece is a square measuring 30 x 61 cm (as an example). Attach the sheet of wire with the same ties or wire you left in the previous step. Larger or smaller traps require sheets of wire that are the appropriate height and width.
Step 6. Make a funnel to attach to the other side
Use the same sheet of wire. The larger funnel hole must fit into the trap frame. Point the small hole into the trap. Make sure the hole is big enough so that the fish you want to catch can enter and not escape.
In this example, the large part of the funnel measures 30 x 61 cm, while the smaller part is about 13 cm. The size of the funnel may vary depending on the type of fish you are trying to catch
Part 3 of 3: Using Fish Trap
Step 1. Put the bait into the trap
Place the baited seed net into the trap along with a lump of rock or brick to keep the object from floating. Some of the common baits used to catch catfish are chicken liver, corn, or dog food. To catch a variety of other fish, use the bait that looks most appealing to them.
If you don't have leftover seed nets or wire mesh, use grocery bags or mesh bags for fruit
Step 2. Secure the trap funnel
Instead of using a zipper, use a wire that can be opened to remove or retrieve your catch, then put it back on for later use.
Step 3. Tie the anchor rope to the trap
Anchor ropes that are usually sold in sports supply stores can be used underwater and are strong to withstand the weight of the trap and the fish caught in it. You will use this rope to pull the trap out of the water to check the catch. Therefore, this rope must be at least 4.5 meters long.
You can use cloaks instead of anchor ropes, but they are not as strong and durable as anchor ropes
Step 4. Set the trap
Take all equipment, including bait, to the fishing area where you want to trap the trap. Just drop traps in the waters of your choosing. Tie the end of the rope to the edge of the water area.
If you intend to catch catfish, place the trap near the nest where the catfish breed
Step 5. Check trap conditions regularly
Gently pull the trap to check it out. Remember that you don't know what's inside the trap. Check your trap at least once a day to make sure that no turtles, otters, or other predators are damaging or trapped in the trap.
If you're using a crab trap, pull the trap as fast as you can to keep the crabs from escaping. Position yourself against the current to make the trap easier to pull out of the water
Tips
- Don't just leave the trap if you've given up. Take it and throw it away after use.
- Use a wire mesh that is still stiff, can be shaped as desired, and remains strong enough to accommodate the weight of the fish inside.
- Use bait that is suitable for the type of fish caught. Rabbit pellets, cat food, cottonseed cake, corn, or cheese limburger are some of the most common types of bait used.
Warning
- Mark the location of the traps. Some jurisdictions allow you to set fish traps, but these must include your name, address, and telephone number.
- Laws regarding trap sizes, permits, and types of fish that can be caught vary widely from country to country. Understand the rules given by the relevant agencies to find out the regulations that apply at fishing locations. Do not set fish traps in restricted waters.
