Traps are useful for catching fish and more effective than single line fishing. They force the fish to enter through a funnel where it is difficult to find their way out. Fish traps operate unattended and are very effective. They are best used in specific locations for a period of time. Depending on which trap one builds, they can be very labor intensive to construct and not portable. Obviously, most traps should be constructed in advance while materials are available. On the other hand willow traps are not limited by manmade materials.
Let me warn you, this type of fishing is illegal in many states and
should only be undertaken in a survival situation. Although some states
allow specific type traps to be used with a commercial fishing license.
In Georgia, using traps in private lakes is legal. Be sure to check with
your local state fish and game authorities. One survivalist I know
always has fish. He places traps in public lakes after dark so no one
will see where the traps are and what he is doing. He collects the catch
at night.
In Macon, Georgia while on a flooding assignment, I tested my first
homemade trap. It was round, constructed of chicken wire, with heavy
wire circles spaced along the length of the trap for reinforcement. I
baited it with a can of dog food and set the trap where a small creek
entered the Ocmulgee river. Laying in bed that night thinking about the
prospects of a large catch, I realized I forgot to latch the trap's
door. The second day I corrected my oversight, reset the trap but cut
both my hands on a piece of protruding wire. That night there was a
heavy rain that washed the trap under a log. It took an hour to
untangle. I learned to use a heavier retrieval line. The next day I had
a four pound carp in the trap, then there was nothing for two days. I
changed bait to a container of chicken livers and caught a three pound
catfish. Excited about my catch, I placed the trap and fish back in the
water so I could bring a friend to show off my catch only to find the
fish had escaped through a gap in my poorly constructed trap door. Then
nothing for two days. Next I moved the trap and caught two turtles that
had drowned because they could not reach the surface for air after they
were trapped. Then came a storm with rising waters that nearly washed
away my tie-off point. When the waters resided, I almost could not
retrieve the trap because it weighed fifty pounds and was full of
leaves. It appeared the trap funnel had turned upstream and directed the
soaked leaves into the trap. So it went, each day I learned more about
how to use a trap. Looking back, it seemed like such a simple task. But
like all skills, it takes practice to be proficient.
Trapping fish is not a panacea for finding food. For example, baited
traps normally catch roughage fish such as catfish, carp and buffalo.
Unbaited traps with side wings will direct all types of feeding fish
into a trap. Unfortunately, catfish are more difficult to catch during
the cold months when they almost stop eating and go into hibernation.
Also, rigid wire traps are difficult to transport and will quickly rust
unless coated with a tar substance. Netted hoop traps that collapse
provide ease of transportation.
My initial efforts to catch a few fish were quickly over-shadowed while
on disaster duty in Dothan, Alabama. There I met a commercial catfish
fisherman who fished Walter George Reservoir and the Chattahoochee
river. He baits his traps with old molded cheese and checks his traps
every three days. On each recovery of a trap, he regularly catches 100
pounds of catfish.
TRAP BAITS
As mentioned earlier, baited traps normally catch only roughage fish.
Usually the bait used for traps is the by-product left from gutting
other fish. A bait such as cut fish can be tied in the tail of the trap
(opposite the opening). For catfish bait, try sour corn (fresh or dry)
let soak and sour. Put in nylon stocking. With soybean meal, mix 2
buckets of water and 50 pounds of meal. Soak for two days. With peanut
meal, put directly in plastic bag and punch holes. Some like to use a
dog food can with holes punched in it. Even a bar of Lifebouy soap can
be effective. When I use chicken livers, I punch holes in the unopened
plastic container. Two different types of bait that attract for a
variety of fish is soybean cakes available from feed stores and old
cheese obtained from commercial suppliers (listed under resources in my
book). It takes several pounds of cheese because it melts fast.
In the South, if one uses raw fish for bait in large rivers and lakes,
there can be problems with logger-head turtles and alligators. Traps can
be destroyed. I talked to one fisherman who saw a 100 pound turtle bring
his six foot trap to the surface and shake it like a dog does with a
toy. Be careful when dumping fish, water moccasins have been found in
traps.
TRAP LOCATIONS
To set most traps, commercial fishermen find a river with a medium to
slow current and places traps near a drop-off. Place the mouth of the
trap downstream. This is so a fish following the smell of the bait will
be led into the mouth of the trap. Fish bottom habitat "structure" as in
bass fishing. In lakes, set traps on old creek banks or river channel
ledges just below top edge. A good choice is where a creek joins a river
(try next to brush piles). If you can find a bottleneck in a river,
place your trap in the tightest spot. Generally, I use a baited trap in
lakes. For shallow streams, I drive the fish into a winged, unbaited
trap. When setting a trap in a lake, place it parallel to the bank. The
fish swim in a circle following the bank. Place on the windward side so
wind ripples will circulate the bait. Wings will aid in directing the
fish into the trap mouth.
TRAP TYPES
Hoop Traps
Hoop traps are round with funnel entrances at one or both ends. A good
material is 1/2" nylon netting or chicken wire. Rings or hoops of a
large gauge wire or fiberglass are made into 24" diameter circles.
Welded Wire Trap
A welded wire trap normally uses a 1 inch mesh wire. The trap is
fabricated into a Quonset hut shape with the flat side down.
Wood Stake or Willow Fish Funnel Trap
There are various wood stake funnel or maize traps that can be used as
survival fish traps. Unfortunately they are very labor intensive to
construct and they are not portable. Basically the trap allows the fish
to enter but not allowing them to escape.
Willow Hoop Open Throat Traps
A fish funnel can be made from young saplings or willow shoots and it is
rather simple to fabricate. Bamboo can be used if no willows are
available. After the shoots are cut to the same length, use string,
cloth or the bark stripped off another stem to bind the saplings
together with the smaller ends facing the same direction. Roll the woven
saplings into a circle and lace the two joining edges together. The
thinner ends are squeezed together and bound. Now the trap will be
round, closed on one end and open on the other end.
Slat Traps
Slat traps are made from wood slats. Many feel they are one of the most
productive traps because they are made from natural materials and offer
a darkened interior. They are similar to a square-ended vegetable crate
with a funnel entrance at one end. The side slats are spaced 1/4 inch
apart. Once the wood becomes water logged, it will sink without a
weight. Commercial versions have a throat made from plastic. The throat
may be purchased separately from fish net/equipment suppliers.
Pile Traps
Rock Maize Traps
Rock traps can be used rather the wood stakes or shoots to funnel fish
into pen-barriers. When built across shallow creeks and small rivers,
they work well. They are labor intensive but they are effective and do
not require special tools or materials.
CONCLUSION
Trapping fish provides an efficient method to put fish on the table.
Your chance of success will be greater by experimenting with different
traps and bait. When used properly, trapping fish can be very
productive. The most effective trapping techniques are those made and
practiced in advance when both materials and tools are available.
The above information was condensed from my book Becoming Self-Reliant -
How to Become Less Dependent on Society and the Government.
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