best crayfish traps: best types of traps for crawfish

The Best Types of Crayfish Traps: A Complete Guide

Catching crayfish, crawdads, or crawfish is a fun and rewarding activity for both beginner and experienced anglers. Whether you are preparing a savory boil, using them as bait, or just enjoying the outdoors, selecting the right trap can make your experience much more efficient and enjoyable. In this guide, we will explore the best types of crayfish traps, their benefits, and some of the top products available on the market today. If you’re wondering how to catch crayfish, how to catch crawdads, or how to catch crawfish, understanding the different types of traps is a great place to start.

Understanding Crayfish Traps

Before diving into specific traps, it’s important to understand the basic mechanics of crayfish trapping. Crayfish are typically found in shallow, freshwater areas, especially near submerged structures like rocks, logs, or along the muddy bottoms of rivers, lakes, and ponds. Crayfish traps are designed to lure these creatures into the trap using bait and prevent them from escaping. These traps vary in design, material, and function, but all are built to be effective at capturing crayfish while being easy to set up and use.

The most common types of crayfish traps include:

Cylinder Traps
Flatbottom Traps
Foldable Cast Net Cage Traps
Collapsible Cylinder-Shaped Cast Net Traps

Let’s explore these trap types in more detail and how each one performs when it comes to trapping crayfish. Or if you want to try your luck at catching crawfish without a trap check out our video on the best way to catch crawfish in a river with your hands!

1. Cylinder Crayfish Traps

Cylinder traps are one of the most popular and traditional options for catching crayfish. These traps are typically made from steel mesh or other durable materials and are shaped like a cylinder with two openings. The principle behind these traps is simple: the crayfish are drawn into the trap by bait (such as fish parts, chicken, or bacon), and once inside, they are unable to escape due to the narrow entrance.

Benefits of Cylinder Traps:

Durable Construction: Most cylinder traps are built from high-quality materials like steel mesh, which can withstand underwater conditions and ensure long-lasting use.
Ease of Use: These traps are simple to set up and require minimal effort for operation.
Effective Catching: The cylindrical design helps funnel crayfish into the trap with ease, making it effective for large quantities.

Top Product: Frabill Heavy Duty Crawfish/Minow Cylinder Trap with Steel Mesh

Design: This trap is made with heavy-duty steel mesh that resists rusting and damage, perfect for catching crayfish in tough underwater conditions.
Size: 18 inches long with a 9-inch diameter.
Features: It features a funnel-shaped opening that attracts and traps crayfish effectively. The bait compartment is also easy to access for adding and refreshing bait.
Best For: Those looking for a durable and reliable trap to use in a variety of freshwater environments, particularly rivers and lakes.

The Frabill Heavy Duty Crawfish Trap is highly recommended for its ability to endure and perform well in catching large quantities of crayfish. The durable steel mesh ensures that the trap holds up over time, and its easy-to-use design makes it ideal for both beginners and seasoned anglers.

2. Flatbottom Crayfish Traps

A flatbottom crayfish trap is another popular design, particularly suited for shallow waters. These traps are designed to sit flat on the bottom of rivers, lakes, and ponds. Like cylinder traps, they have multiple entry points that allow crayfish to crawl inside, but their flat structure allows them to work best in shallow and weedy areas.

Benefits of Flatbottom Traps:

Stability: Because these traps sit flat on the bottom of the water, they are less likely to roll or get displaced in moving water.
Ideal for Shallow Waters: If you’re fishing in shallow waters with lots of vegetation, flatbottom traps are a great option as they are less likely to get caught in the weeds.
Larger Capture Area: The flat structure of the trap offers a larger surface area for crayfish to crawl in, which increases your chances of a successful catch.

Top Product: Frabill Flatbottom Crayfish Trap

Design: This trap features a durable construction with a flat, stable base that is ideal for both still and slow-moving waters.
Size: 20 inches long with a 10-inch width.
Features: The flat bottom helps it stay in place while also offering multiple entry points. It is designed to trap crayfish without rolling or shifting in moving water.
Best For: Shallow ponds, lakes, and areas with heavy vegetation where other traps may be unstable.

The Frabill Flatbottom Crayfish Trap is one of the most popular traps in the market, especially for anglers looking to target crayfish in shallow waters. The trap’s flat design and multiple entry points make it a reliable tool for catching crayfish.

3. Foldable Cast Net Cage Crayfish Traps

Foldable cast net cage traps combine the benefits of a traditional crayfish trap with the versatility of a cast net. These traps are easy to transport and set up because they are collapsible, making them perfect for anglers on the go. The cage-like design provides plenty of space for crayfish to enter, and the trap can be folded down for easy storage when not in use.

Benefits of Foldable Cast Net Cage Traps:

Portability: The collapsible nature of the trap allows for easy storage and transportation. This is ideal for backpacking or travel fishing.
Easy Setup: Set-up is a breeze due to the foldable design.
Multiple Use Cases: While primarily used for crayfish, these traps can also be employed to catch other small aquatic creatures like minnows or small fish.

Top Product: Collapsible Cast Net Cage Crayfish Trap

Design: The trap features a collapsible design with a cast net for increased bait attraction and catching efficiency.
Size: Comes in multiple sizes for different applications.
Features: The design allows for easy folding, while the bait compartment ensures that the crawfish are attracted to the trap, not just captured.
Best For: Traveling anglers or anyone who needs a trap that is easy to set up, take down, and store.

The foldable cast net cage is ideal for anglers who want compact storage, quick setup, and the versatility of catching not just crayfish but a variety of small aquatic species.

4. Collapsible Cylinder-Shaped Cast Net Crawfish Traps

A collapsible cylinder-shaped crawfish trap is another versatile option that blends the effectiveness of a traditional cylinder trap with the added portability of a collapsible design. These traps are especially useful when you need a reliable trap that is easy to store and transport while still being large enough to catch multiple crayfish at once.

Benefits of Collapsible Cylinder-Shaped Traps:

Compact and Portable: Like other collapsible traps, these traps can be collapsed into a smaller size for easy storage and transport.
Efficiency: The cylinder shape ensures that crayfish are easily funneled into the trap, while the collapsible nature ensures that you can pack them down when you’re done.
Large Capacity: Despite being collapsible, these traps are still able to catch a large number of crayfish at a time.

Top Product: Frabill Collapsible Cylinder Shaped Crawfish Trap

Design: This trap features a collapsible cylinder with steel mesh for durability and long-term use.
Size: 18 inches in length with an adjustable diameter.
Features: Includes a bait compartment and conical shape that makes it easy for crayfish to enter but difficult to escape.
Best For: Multi-day trips or anyone who needs a larger trap with the ability to collapse for storage.

The Frabill Collapsible Cylinder Shaped Crawfish Trap is a fantastic choice for anglers looking for easy transport, quick setup, and a large catch capacity.

How to Catch Crayfish Using These Traps

Catching crayfish with a trap is relatively straightforward, but there are a few best practices to follow to maximize your success:

Baiting the Trap: Use raw meat, fish parts, or even canned cat food to attract crayfish into the trap. Place the bait in the center of the trap or inside a bait compartment if the trap has one.
Choosing the Right Location: Set the trap in areas where crayfish are most likely to be found, such as near rocks, submerged logs, or the muddy bottoms of shallow waters.
Setting the Trap: Lower the trap carefully into the water, ensuring it settles on the bottom. If you’re using a cylinder trap, make sure it is anchored to prevent it from floating away.
Checking the Trap: Leave the trap submerged for a few hours or overnight before checking it for crawfish. Be sure to inspect the trap periodically to prevent other wildlife from eating your bait without getting trapped.
Releasing or Keeping: Once you’ve caught your crayfish, you can either release them back into the water or keep them for cooking, depending on your preference.

Conclusion

When it comes to catching crayfish or crawdads, choosing the right trap can make a world of difference in both the success and ease of your fishing experience. Whether you prefer a durable cylinder trap, a flatbottom design, a collapsible cast net cage, or a collapsible cylinder-shaped trap, each type has its own set of advantages that make it suitable for different fishing environments.

The products we’ve highlighted, such as the Frabill Heavy Duty Crawfish Trap, Frabill Flatbottom Crayfish Trap, and Frabill Collapsible Cylinder Shaped Crawfish Trap, are all excellent choices for both beginners and experienced anglers. Make sure to select the right trap based on where you’re fishing, the size of the area, and your personal preferences. With the right trap, you’ll be well on your way to successfully catching crayfish in no time!