Month: May 2019

Is crawfish one of your favorites dishes? If so, I believe that nothing matters to you like getting a trap that will let you head back home with a big catch. For this reason, you will want to get one of the best crawfish traps once you have discovered the right pond or the right place to catch the fish.

Crawfish is not only for your dining table, but they can also be used as live baits along with the other minnows. They work great with most of the species. It is easy to keep crawfish alive with minimum effort. Crawfish is also used to make homemade baits.

Having in mind that there are lots of manufacturers who make different models of these traps, how do you manage to locate the right trap to meet your needs? That is why I have come up with the seven best traps for crawfish. Have a look so that you can find a trap that is worth your hard-earned money.

Which Is The Best Crawfish Trap? Quick Answer

In our opinion, the Frabill Crawfish Trap is the best crawfish trap. But the choice can easily be changed according to your needs. Here are the top 7 crawfish traps:

1. Frabill Crawfish Trap (Torpedo Shape)
2. Willapa Marine Crawfish Trap
3. Jmkcoz 1PC Crab Trap Crawfish Collapsible Cast Net
4. Dimart Black Dual Entrance Mesh Trap for Frog Shrimp Crawfish Lobster
5. Crayster The Snake River Cylinder Crawfish Trap
6. Nets & More Crawfish Trap (Pillow Style)
7. The Crawfish Hotel Crawfish Trap

Comparison For Crawfish Traps | Select Your One

Crawfish Trap	Size	Material	Check On Amazon
Frabill Crawfish Trap (Torpedo Shape)	16.5” x 9”	Heavy-duty vinyl dipped steel mesh	Check Price On Amazon
Willapa Marine Crawfish Trap	24” x 7” x 7”	16 GA black vinyl coated wire	Check Price On Amazon
Jmkcoz 1PC Crab Trap Crawfish Collapsible Cast Net	10” x 17.7”	Galvanized steel wire & nylon	Check Price On Amazon
Dimart Black Dual Entrance Mesh Trap for Frog Shrimp Crawfish Lobster	11.8” x 21.7”	Nylon, metal	Check Price On Amazon
Crayster The Snake River Cylinder Crawfish Trap	Big & professional grade	Metal powder coated steel	Check Price On Amazon
Crawfish (Crayfish) Trap By Nets & More, Pillow Style, 24 – 36 inch Long	12” wide, 24”/30”/36” long	PVC coated hex wire	Check Price On Amazon
The Crawfish Hotel Crawfish Trap	6”x6”x6”	Galvanized steel	Check Price On Amazon

Top 7 Crawfish Traps Reviews

Frabill Deluxe Vinyl Torpedo Crawfish Trap Review

Whether you want to catch crayfish, crawdads, mudbugs, or crawfish, you can be sure that the Frabill Torpedo trap will work out for you. Featuring a black vinyl-dipped steel mesh that offers camouflage, the trap doesn’t result in any suspicion allowing you to get back home with a good catch. Asides from that, the trap features a two-piece design. This design offers easy baiting and Catch removal assuring you of convenience when using it.

Frabill features a torpedo shape designed to work in calm as well as current waters. Further, it includes a spring clip which guarantees easy closure of the trap. The trap measures 16.5 x 9 inches. It’s a lightweight trap that makes it one of the best crawfish traps for users in need of a lightweight trap.

Pros

• Lightweight design ensures easy maneuverability.
• Two-piece design for easy removal of the crawfish.
• A durable design guarantees the best value for money.

Check Availability & Customer Reviews On Amazon

Willapa Marine Crawfish Trap

Second, we have Willapa marine crawfish trap. Satisfying the needs for a reliable and durable crawfish trap, this product is made using the smaller ½” x 1” 16GA wire. The wire is black vinyl coated enabling it to camouflage. Because of this, you can expect the trap to catch a lot of crawfish considering that the fish do not suspect its presence.

Another advantage of the trap is its 2-way bridle rope. The rope attaches the ends of the trap making it easy for you to carry and toss into the water. Willapa crawfish trap measures 24” x 7” x 7”. The trap includes two black mesh entrance tunnels to enhance easy access for installing the bait and extracting the fish. You can expect the fish trap to include a built-in bait jar holder so that you can locate the best place for storing the bait.

Pros

• A high-quality coated metal enhances durability.
• The easy-to-use hatch secures well.
• Accessing the bait and removing the crayfish is easy.
• The lightweight design makes the trap easy to handle.
• The trap is galvanized with rubber.
• It catches a lot of fish at a go.
• Easy to toss into the water.

Cons

• Some Packages didn’t include the bait jar holder.

Check Availability & Customer Reviews On Amazon

Jmkcoz 1PC Crab Trap Crawfish Collapsible Cast Net

The answer to a versatile and easy-to-use crawfish trap is Jmkcoz crawfish cast net. Whether you want to catch shrimps, fish, crabs, crawdad, lobsters, or crawfish, you can expect the trap to stand up to any challenge.

Adding to that, the trap is suitable for use by beginners and professionals alike. The reason is that all that is required of you is to put the bait in the cage, put the cage into the water, and wait for your prey to swim into the cage. Once the inside, the prey cannot come out, which means that you can be sure to take back home a big catch.

Jmkcoz crawfish cast net is made using plastic galvanized steel wire and polyethylene to enhance strength. The wire delivers a better waterproofing capability than leather which means that you can expect it to last longer. The trap is foldable which makes the Jmkcoz one of the best choices for a crawfish cast net designed to reduce storage and transport costs.

Pros

• The trap is well made to enhance durability.
• It is easy to travel with and use.
• Catches a lot of fish within a short period.
• Reasonably priced.

Cons

• Netting is quite big hence not suitable for smaller crayfish.
• Getting out the prey can be a little bit challenging.

Check Availability & Customer Reviews On Amazon

Dimart Black Dual Entrance Mesh Trap for Frog Shrimp Crawfish Lobster

Another amazing crawfish trap is Dimart’s mesh trap. Besides catching crawfish, the trap can catch frogs, lobsters, and shrimp.

The trap features black dual entrance sections measuring 30cm x 55cm. The entrance features a zippered design which means having an easy time taking out the trapped crawfish and shrimps.

You can get the trap when you are looking for a crawfish trap that takes a small space during storage or transport due to the spring wireframe that allows you to fold it with a lot of ease.

The trap is made using nylon and metal, all of which assure you of getting a trap that is designed to last.

Pros

• The black color isn’t visible in the water.
• Lightweight design makes the net easy to carry and toss in the water.
• Besides catching crawfish, the trap can catch minnows, lobster, and shrimps.

Cons

• A certain user stated that it couldn’t trap frogs although it managed to get some fish.

Check Availability & Customer Reviews On Amazon

Crayster The Snake River Cylinder Crawfish Trap

Catch crayfish like a pro with Crayster’s crawfish trap. Made in the USA using 16 gauge powder-coated steel, this is a good buy for a crawfish trap that will let you benefit from the best value for money.

The trap includes rope and carabiners which make it reliable to use. Further, there is a quick start crawfishing guide that allows you to have an easy time when using it for the first time.

The Snake River cylinder trap is perfect for catching large crawfish in a rocky environment with current water.

Pros

• The trap is durably constructed.
• It doesn’t consist of fall part components.

Cons

• No disadvantages at the moment.

Check Availability & Customer Reviews On Amazon

Crawfish Trap (Crayfish), Pillow Style, 24 – 36 inch Long

Concluding this review is Nets & More Crawfish Trap. The trap is made in the USA and ships flat making it easy for you to take home.

Asides from that, it is easy to form into a pillow shape. Because of this, you can get it with an assurance that it will take little space when traveling or during storage.

The Nets & More crawfish trap is made using black PVC coated hex wire to enhance durability and camouflaging properties.

Pros

• The trap catches a lot of crawfish in a short time.
• It features a durable design.

Cons

• None identified so far.

Check Availability & Customer Reviews On Amazon

The Crawfish Hotel Crawfish Trap

This American made crawfish trap is perfect for using with a fishing pole. The trap is constructed by galvanized steel.

After years of research and tests, this trap has become a perfect example of a crawfish trap.

Pros:

• Perfect in size for use with a fishing pole
• Lightweight and can be kept in a small space
• Works great in natural and artificial waters

Cons:

• Small for some uses like trapping at night

Check Availability & Customer Reviews On Amazon

How to Choose The Best Crawfish Trap| Factors to Consider

Strength

No one wants to get a crawfish trap that will last for days or months leaving you to buy another one within a short time. For this reason, I recommend that you pay attention to the strength or rather, the durability of the materials used to make the trap. In this regard, I recommend that you have a look at the customer reviews of the trap you want to buy, and get to know what other clients say about durability.

Besides that, get a trap made using a coated metal or steel material since such designs can last for a while.

Portability

Is space a concern for you? Whether it is the storage or transport space, you will need to consider this since you do not want to get a trap that will not fit in the availed space. If space is a concern, opt to get a net that features a collapsible frame so that you can fold it into a compact size for it to fit into a small space.

Weight

You will also want to pay attention to the weight of the trap as you buy one. The reason behind this is that the weight affects portability and the ability to toss the trap into the water. If you want to have an easy time throwing the trap into the water, go for a trap that features a lightweight design. However, be cautious not to sacrifice durability for the weight since you will not get the best value for money once you do this.

Size of Mesh Holes

Do you have a concern with the size of crawfish you want to take home? If yes, then you must pay attention to the mesh hole sizes of the trap. If you get a trap that features big holes, you might not manage to catch small crawfish. So, pay attention to this, more importantly, if you want to trap the small fish.

Ease of Getting Out The Prey

Once you catch the crawfish, you will have to get them out of the trap. In this regard, you do not want it to be a challenge to do so. Hence, consider the mechanism of getting the fish out, or rather, the size of the entrance so that you can pick a trap that features a reasonably sized entrance to let you get the crawfish out with a lot of ease.

Brand

I personally like Frabill traps because they meet my needs. Willapa, Crayster, Nets & More, etc are also good brands for crawfish catching traps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a crawfish trap to catch other types of prey?

Yes. Besides crawfish, this trap can catch other fish and prey as you can see from the reviewed products. You can use the traps to trap minnows, lobsters, shrimps, frogs, among others.

Which color should I pick when selecting a crawfish trap?

I would recommend that you get black, but it matters on your personal preference. However, ensure that you get a trap that can camouflage in the water to prevent the fish from knowing that they are getting into a trap.

If I get a light crawfish trap, will it sink in the water?

Yes, once you add the bait, you should expect it to sink. If the manufacturer recommends that you add a sinker on it, then you should do that for it to sink.

How long should I wait so that I can remove the trap from the water?

The crawfish traps that really work can perform the magic in an hour or two. However, this also depends on the place you are fishing in.

How big should the openings on a crawfish trap be?

Again, this depends on the size of the fish you want to catch. If you want big fish, then the openings do not have to be small. On the other hand, pick a trap that features a few inches size holes for small crawfish.

Conclusion

There you have it; the best crawfish traps for the moment. These traps can help you make a big catch within a short time, whereas they are designed to last for a long time allowing you to get the best value for your money.

If you don’t know how to catch crawfish, start with an appropriate trap for your kind of spot. Put them in the right place at the right time and don’t forget to provide sufficient bait. Gradually you will be able to trap crawfish like a pro in a not very long period of time.

As I have mentioned crawfish will enrich your menu and can help you catching trout, catfish, etc.

Crayfish, also known as crawdads or crawfish are found in water bodies all over the world. Catching these crustaceans can be a fun activity for families and individuals. If you want to know how to catch crawfish in different types of places, You are in the right place.

You can use traps, fishing poles, and even your hands to catch them in rivers, lakes, ponds, creeks, and from holes.

Crawfish are very sweet and can make a tasty meal. You can also take them home as pets. Just ensure that you catch crayfish where it’s legal.

Where To Find Crawfish?

Crayfish can be found in streams, ponds, or lakes that have sufficient places for cover and enough food supply. You can easily get them under rocks and around water plants. Crawfish are generally scavengers and can, therefore, be found at the bottom of the lake or river.

How To Catch Crawfish In Different Methods

There are three ways of catching crawfish. They include:

1. Closed and Open Traps

People who want to catch crayfish for meals should use this method. This is because traps can help you catch large quantities of crayfish with little effort. Those who want to feed their families and friends with crawfish should use this method.

There are two types of traps: closed and open traps. Closed traps have a funnel on one end that allows crayfish to enter into the trap. Open traps are just collapsible nets open on one end. Crayfish can’t escape once they enter these traps.

Don’t use square-shaped traps since they can be broken or trapped by rocks at the bottom of the water. Conical or cylindrical-shaped traps are the best. Ensure that your trap’s length, width, and height doesn’t exceed three feet.

You must bait your traps before lowering them into the water. Use bait jars and bait boxes if your trap doesn’t have a hook to hold the bait.

Leave closed traps for the entire night and open traps for a few hours at a time. Just ensure that you have enough bait. Under the right conditions, your trap will be filled with crayfish when you pull it.

2. String and Bait Catching

This method is simple and fun and can, therefore, be a good family activity. You only need a fishing rod or pole, fishing string, and bait.

Use a hook or safety pin to attach the bait to the string. This will prevent the crayfish from escaping and also ensure that water doesn’t wash the bait from the line. Use artificial lures such as grubs.

Place your bait into the water and jiggle it until you feel a tug on the string. Gently pull the bait to the shore and pull it out of the water. You can also use a fish net to scoop the crayfish as soon as you feel the tug. This is the best way of preventing the crawfish from releasing the bait and escaping.

3. Grabbing Crawfish by Hand

Another option for catching crayfish is by grabbing them with your hand. This method works well since these crustaceans are always found in shallow and rock-filled pools. You must be careful when grabbing crayfish since they have sharp claws that can cause harm.

• You need to find a lake, creek, or pond that has a high crayfish population for you to catch them by hand. Check under plants and rocks in the shallow waters. You will likely find them hiding underwater plants and rocks.
• Identify rocks that are likely to be hiding crayfish and lift them. Ensure that you raise the rock slowly and carefully. Doing it quickly can alert the crayfish or stir up mud that will obstruct vision.
• You will be able to see a crayfish sitting underwater if you lift the rock correctly. You can then pick up the crawfish with your hands. Grab it with both hands if it’s too small. Ensure that you hold it behind the pinchers.
• You can also use a bucket and stick to scoop the crawfish. Carefully put the bucket a few inches behind the crawfish. Tap the crayfish lightly or wave the stick in front of it. Since crayfish swim backward, it will swim straight into the bucket. Quickly remove the bucket out of the water.
• You must be very careful when grabbing crawfish by hand. Their pinch can be nasty.

Catching Crawfish in Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers

Crawfish can be found on the shores of lakes and rivers. You can catch crawfish using strings and baits, traps, and even bare hands. It depends on your purpose of catching them.

Use traps if you intend to cook them. Use strings and baits if you want to catch them for fun since it’s an exciting activity. People who want to keep them as pets should pick crawfish by hand. It will protect them from injuries.

Sometimes, crawfish can be found in deep waters. It requires one to dive into the lakes for you to catch them. Only skilled scuba divers should try this. Ensure that you wear the right gear before you dive into the lake.

Digging up Crawfish From Holes

Digging crayfish from holes is much different from catching them in rivers and lakes. Crawfish usually make underground tunnels (burrows) depending on water availability and the season. Look for mud mounds near the banks of rivers, creeks, or lakes to find these burrows.

You can find the entrance of the burrow by removing the bumpy mud mound. Put your hand into the hole and start digging and expanding the hole. The tunnel will open into a cavity or take a turn after digging for some time. This is where you will find your crawfish.

Grab any solid thing that grabs onto your fingers and pulls it out. Get a better grip on your crawfish by holding behind the claws. You need courage and motivation for you to extend your hand into a hole containing the unknown.

Ensure that you put on protective gloves to protect you from a crayfish pinch. Also, a protective glove will protect your hand from being bitten by other animals that eat crayfish.

Factors To Consider When Catching Crawfish

Here are important things to put into consideration when catching a crawfish.

1. Acquire a fishing license

A license is an important document that allows you to do your activities without having issues with the relevant authority. Once you get it, you will be able to catch as many fish as you can throughout the year.

Family fishing licenses, for instance, allows any member of your family to engage in catching crawfish. Note that, when catching crawfish using crawfish traps, you need to ensure that your fishing license number is either attached or engraved on to the trap together with your address and your name.

2. Go for crawfishing during warmer months of the year

Note that, crawfish usually are active between April and October. Therefore it is advisable for you to go crawfishing during this period. Nonetheless, you can still go to crawfish during the cold, but unfortunately, you won’t catch as many like warmer months.

3. Always look for crawfish in freshwater rivers, ponds, creeks, and lakes

Crawfish are aquatic creatures mainly found in freshwater bodies such as lakes, creeks, and ponds all over the world. They also make shelters in canals, springs, bedrock pools, and reservoirs.

Most crawfish usually prefer slow-moving water with enough vegetation and rocks to offer cover. You can easily get them either in a deep hole or close to the bank of a pond, lake, or river.

4. Nighttime is the most preferred period to go for crawfishing

Crawfish are usually active at night normally during summer months or in warmer waters. They are nocturnal. It is always advisable to go for crawfishing at dusk (night), or you can leave your fishing traps overnight and pick them in the morning for maximum reap. You can use them as live baits for catching trouts or catfish.

Always ensure that the string you are using in your fish traps are long enough to allow the cork to float above the water, banking for the current pull. This will help you to get your fish traps easily during the daytime.

Nighttime is always the appropriate time for most people as it enables them to catch more crawfish. However, crawfishing can also take place during the daytime using bait.

5. Employ the appropriate bait

Before going for crawfishing, it is always crucial to consider the best and ideal bait for this exercise to allow you to accomplish your crawfishing goals appropriately. For example fish such as salmon, walleye, herring, perch, trout, and carp typically work perfectly as crawfish bait. Things such as sardines, clams, squid, eel, and sole don’t work well as crawfish bait.

Other alternatives like raw meat like pork or chicken or any fatty usually work well for crawfish. They are also attracted by fish-based cat food and fish-based hot dog food. Always ensure that your bait meat is ever fresh to attract crawfish easily.

6. Properly secure your bait

This is an important factor to consider especially when you are using your traps for crawfishing. The bait is usually hung from the hook at the trap center.

The trap should not also be left in water for a very long time. This is because the crawfish will consume all the bait, lose interest, and later on escape from the trap. I use quality crawfish traps made by Frabill.

Many crawfish specialists recommend the usage of bait boxes during crawfishing. This is because the bait enables the crawfish to consume and allows the bait smell to disperse via the water hence attracting more crawfish to the trap.

Here, the bait is less accessible, and therefore it won’t be fed quickly, and therefore the crawfish will remain in your trap for more time.

You can also employ bait jars as they allow bait smell to disperse via the water and also don’t help the crawfish to consume the bait on the jars.

Here, the bait lasts for a more extended period. Unfortunately, the crawfish might not stay in the bait trap for long once they notice that they can’t feed.

It is also important to note that:

• Always pay attention to the licensing rules and requirements of crawfishing. Understand each detail before making your way to this important activity. This is because the fine and penalty of not following these instructions might cost you heavily.
• Focus on using a wide range of bait. This is inclusive of oily, flesh and soft bait will allow you to get the required results. They also keep the crawfish intact for a longer time hence enabling you to collect them even after three days.
• Wood pots will always begin to fish effectively once they have been soaked for about two days.
• Always have fun, stay safe, and ensure you value your activity, so that you get your crawfishing goals accomplished.

Let’s Watch A Video On How To Get Crayfish

Bottom Line

Different areas have different laws governing crawfishing and how they should be transported from where they have been caught. Normally fresh water fishing licensing always prevails but the truth of the matter is in many regions crawfish are considered as unique species, and they are handled with special care. Many regions need crawfish to be transported when they are dead to safeguard them from causing havoc to the environment they were taken to.

Note that, fresh bait conveniently securely attached to your crawfish trap and this allows you to get large quantities of fish. Crawfishing at night is also fun and entertaining. To keep crawfish and other live baits an adequate Livewell pump comes in handy.

Remember always ensure that the technique that you employ when you want to catch crawfish must suit your ability, location, and needs to get your objectives right. I recommend using the tips that I have comprehensively discussed in this article, and you will never regret crawfishing.