Fishing the Fish Trap or Fish Basket

Sometimes called fish traps, they have been used in numerous cultures throughout time to harvest fish from both fresh and salt waters.  Variations are even used to trap shell fish from the ocean.  These traps are often associated with commercial fishing; however, they are also of use to the recreational fisherman.


Wire Baskets

There are a few methods of building these baskets.  One of
which is by using "chicken" wire fencing or other closely knit fencing
materials to create the entire trap. 

To accomplish this, a rough description of how to accomplish this is
below.  
You cut out the following fencing:

• Flat rectangular piece of fencing ~72" x ~60"


• One or two baffles or cones.  The point of the
  cone is cut off to leave an 4 to 6 inch opening.  If more than
  one baffle is used, the interior baffle is slightly larger than the one
  in the end of the trap.    


• Circular cut piece of wire to secure the
  end.   


• Door to bait trap and remove fish.

A detailed diagram of how and description of how to do this is
available as a PDF file from the State of
Georgia's Department of Natural Resources.



Wooden "Slat
Box" Traps:



To build a wooden trap you will need the following parts:

a. Five rectangular frames in the size of your trap approximately 12"x
16".

b. One rectangular frame approximately 8"x 12".

c. 28 Srips of wood around 60" inches in length (shorter on this one
because of the weight).

d. 8 Srips of wood 12 inches in length.

e. 10 strips of wood 24 inches in length.

f. 1 - Hinge.


First build your baffle -

1. On the inside of one of (a) attach all of (e).

2. Put the ends of (e) inside (b) and attach to (b) leaving a hole
large enough for the fish you are seeking to swim through.

Second build the body.



3. Attach all of (c) to the perimeter of four of your (a) pieces,
including the one in your baffle. Space these pieces equidistant appart
with one at the very end of the slat pieces.

4. Attach all of (d) to the remaining (a) piece.

5. Attach (f) to the piece created on the last step and the end of the
box

To set a fish
trap:

Place bait in the end of the box in a manner that it will not easily become dislodged.  A small coffee can with hole in it works with chicken liver or other "stink" type bait.  Pantyhose
inside a can will also work nicely if you are using more delicate bait. 

Cotton seed meal (in large quantities), corn or other bait is also
efficient.   

This is a very efficient method of fishing.  It will work in either still or running water.

Remember if you set a trap of this nature...check it daily, or remove it.  Fish will become trapped even without bait in the trap.  Failing to check a trap is wasteful and may be illegal.