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Fishing the Fish Trap or Fish Basket

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Slat Box or Wire Mess Style Fish Trap

This lens will guide you through the process of making and baiting your first fish trap.
Or ancestors have been using this method to harvest the bounty of our oceans and freshwater bodies for many generations. Several different methods of building a fish trap are discussed. These traps are generally used to catch non-game fish such as catfish. You will need some type of bait to lure fish into your trap such as cotton meal seed, or corn mash. If you use corn or other easily depleted bait source try putting the bait inside of an old pantie hose to make it last longer.

Fish Baskets

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 their construction 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:

Construction List

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 a part 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.

Fishtrap Links

Sidonsphotography: Sidonsphotography provides photo services and computer imaging as well as an instructional blogging. Sidonsphotography.com also showcases the photography of the websites' author, which contains images from all over the world.
Unknown: Georgia's Department of Natural Resources, which consists of the Coastal Resources Division, Environmental Protection Division, Historic Preservation Division, Pollution Prevention Assistance Division, State Parks and Historic Sites Division, and Wildlife Resources Division.
Bass Fishing - Texas Rig: Instructions on how to set up a Texas rig used for bass fishing. One of the most effective fishing setups ever devised for bass when fishing in heavy cover.
Bass Fishing - Carolina Rig: Instructions on how to tie a Carolina rig used for bass fishing. One of the most effective fishing setups ever devised for bass.
Cleaning Fish - How to Scale, Clean, Fillet and Store Fish: This page introduces the reader to methods of cleaning fish.

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Guy checking someone else's trap.

Perch Trap

This guy is on shaky ground. When you touch another person's fish trap they will get a bit angry if they catch you doing it. This trap is designed smaller than the one that you are looking at on this page. The ones here are best for larger catfish.

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Please leave your comments or suggestions here.

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nickirc Feb 13, 2012 @ 3:06 pm | delete

Wow great info, i love traps for catching bait.

Reply

CountrySunshine Feb 3, 2012 @ 12:12 pm | delete

I use these to catch perch to use as bait. I just use a slice of bread to lure them in, and it works really well!

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Cleverly Sep 19, 2011 @ 7:29 am | delete

The main goal in making a fish trap is being in a position to allow fish to swim inside the trap but not out, much of the emphasis should be laid not on bait but on the mechanism in which the fish will be trapped inside your structure, emphasis on design. Carp Fishing Tips

Reply

Close2Art Aug 12, 2011 @ 12:43 am | delete

I saw an old one of these one time while, it looked like a piece of art...RWJR

Reply

Catfish Jul 24, 2011 @ 3:10 am | delete

If you want to by pass using fish traps you can always just go to buycatfish.com. It is what I do.
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