rabbit killer Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 hi all i would like to make a crayfish trap to use down the river, anyone got any ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spider72 Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 You can buy them for a few quid. I'm going to the Game Fair at Bowood house tomorrow and I'll pick one up there and send you dimensions if you like. You know you're sposed to get a licence to catch crayfish? the environment agency website has the info, from what I understand yo are sposed to get a permit for the day you want to set your trap... check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 e blay £5.70 for the metal ones i use em they do the job ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danccooke Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Who do you get the license from? Is it expensive? How can you tell if the river is likely to hold crayfish? What bait do you use in the trap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 The licence is free from the Enviroment Agency, they will tell you if you can trap in your area. If there are any native crayfish in your area then you won't get a licence. Most rivers have crayfish, in the river that I trap you can see them in the shallow parts. Bait can be pretty much anything. I used mackerel in mine, which attracted a pike which died and the crayfish devoured it. Nothing to fresh is the idea. Roadkill also works as will any rabbits that you have shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbit killer Posted August 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 i made a trap out of a rat trap and put it out yesterday to find these beauties in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danccooke Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 wow, i don't know if any of our rivers here in sunny west sussex hold any, they appear to be mostly streams rather than rivers persay. I need to find some then try and get a license. they do look yummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spider72 Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 They are Yummy!! good luck. the more signal crayfish caught the better, like the grey squirrel they are an introduced species that has brought disease to our native species. Luckily (like the grey) they taste lovely! particularly grilled with a garlic and herb butter!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Dont think its really viable to make traps when they are so cheap on the bay.Get yourself 3 metal ones and pop down to your local fishmonger with a load of small plastic bags.Ask them for the heads/guts of any fish they sell and ask if they can freeze them so you can call whenever is convenient.You need about 5-8 metres of decent nylon rope to tie to the traps and something stout to attach the rope to the bank.Go to the water as late as possible to prevent people nicking your traps and visit them reasonably early the next day to achieve the same.The bait can be popped in the trap frozen where the scent as it defrosts will bring the things scurrying in to feed.Take a bucket with you to collect them and keep your fingers away!-once home i change the water to fresh and leave the crays to purge overnight.I know about 30 people who fish for crays all summer but i have yet to meet anyone who has a licence-make sure you have permmision from whoever has the fishing rights.I think that ,while free, the licence involves so much messing around that few people bother.As for not knowing if you have any locally im guessing that you have plenty-they live in anything from rivers to tiny streams and ponds.You could always ring the secretary of the fishing club and ask if they are plagued by the little ******* and if so would they object to you trapping them (most will not give you official permision but will just "look the other way" if they see you.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascal_2005 Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 i would prefer to get the licence, but cant find it on the site? anyone help? john boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2nd Barrel Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 (edited) There used to be a very good section on the environment agency site, but it appears to have gone. However I did find this which suggests that you don't need a licence to fish for them, only if you trap them. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homea...hing/38049.aspx However Crayfish trapping advice packs are available from the National Fisheries Laboratory 01480 483968. I have one and they are very good. Edited August 17, 2009 by 2nd Barrel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 You are right, and fishing for them can be done with a chicken drumstick on a length of string, or perhaps any other handy tethered tasty morsel that you can conjure up. The Signal crays behave like crabs on a handline, and often hang onto the bait while being dragged in, though it does pay to do so gently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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