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Crawfish Traps: Pillow or Pyramid

Posted on 2/9/15 at 12:46 pm
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2655 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 12:46 pm
Just joined a lease that will permit crawfishing, what traps do you suggest? See pic of lease below, there is drainage ditch on west side that runs for one mile of property that varies in depth from 6 inches to 4ft. On east side is a winding slough that is about same depth, both are known to hold gators. In middle is 40acre duck pond as well.

How many traps do you think I'd need to set to get 1-2 sacks of crawfish. Owner has never messed with it so we think it will have strong crawfish population.



Thanks.
Posted by mylsuhat
Mandeville, LA
Member since Mar 2008
48945 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 12:48 pm to
Pyramid all day!



Trust me when you reach down to grab a completely submerged trap and see a snake staring at you through the wire!


This post was edited on 2/9/15 at 12:49 pm
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2655 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 12:51 pm to
Yes, healthy population of moccasins there. How'd you dispatch that one?
Posted by TexasTiger01
Lake Houston
Member since Nov 2013
3215 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 12:52 pm to
Woods= Pillow trap
Flooded field= Pyramid trap

quote:

I'd need to set to get 1-2 sacks of crawfish


That's kinda hard to judge not knowing if this area has historically produces. Fishing in the swamp we typically start with as many pillow traps as we can make with a roll of wire
This post was edited on 2/9/15 at 12:58 pm
Posted by MillerMan
West U, Houston, TX
Member since Aug 2010
6512 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 12:54 pm to
Is this a new lease for next year? Or the same one you were in this past year?
Posted by DownSouthDave
Beau, Bro, Baw
Member since Jan 2013
7379 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 12:54 pm to
Pillow. You can fold them flat for moving. Takes up WAY less space.

ETA: If you leave them out all season, then it's closer. But you still need a place to store them year round. I would think pillow traps are cheaper as well.
This post was edited on 2/9/15 at 1:01 pm
Posted by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 12:56 pm to
Could be 6 pyramid traps. Could be 60
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2655 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:06 pm to
New place, we just agreed to terms thru may. Place is covered up in hogs. Saw 300 ducks on his DU project, he said he would give alligator tag also. 75 miles door to door.

Will decide in May if we want to do duck season.
Posted by TexasTiger01
Lake Houston
Member since Nov 2013
3215 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:10 pm to
I would start with 15 pyramid traps. If you get 2-3lbs per trap that would be enough for a boil.

Disclaimer: I've seented it take 60 traps to catch a sack and I've seen it take 4 traps to catch a sack. I think starting with 10-15 would be a good way to gauge how many it will take.
Posted by tigers225
Member since Jun 2008
294 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:20 pm to
Have always used pillow style traps. They are cheaper to make and will be a lot easier to move around/store. You can never have too many traps unless time is an issue.
Posted by TexasTiger01
Lake Houston
Member since Nov 2013
3215 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:26 pm to
We have always used pillow traps as well. But, we have always had a tree to tie the rope and to prop the trap on when the water lacks oxygen and you need to expose the top of the trap so the crawfish don't die. In a field "crawfish pond" type setting, pyramid traps are always the better choice.
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2655 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:27 pm to
I was thinking pillow because I could buy more and spread them out evenly given that I can't tell if any areas would hold better.

Based on map I sent, 40 acre duck pond and 1 mile long ditch by 10 yards wide, how many traps would you set? Not sure I'm gonna mess with slough because vegetation is thick and up close run in with gator likely.
Posted by GeauxHouston
Houston,TX
Member since Nov 2013
4420 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:30 pm to
That's a big arse snake lmao
Posted by Clyde Tipton
Planet Earth
Member since Dec 2007
38743 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:31 pm to
quote:

I think starting with 10-15 would be a good way to gauge how many it will take.



I have 15 pyramid's I use. In good holes, that'll almost catch a sack.

I have 36 lay flat crabbing style pyramids that you have to keep checking... if I ever need to just work them over.
Posted by Clyde Tipton
Planet Earth
Member since Dec 2007
38743 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:33 pm to
quote:

how many traps would you set?


quote:

1 mile long ditch by 10 yards wide


In the sloughs just throw one out every 20 yards or so. (That's a lot of traps)

quote:

40 acre duck pond


Just mimic how you see crawfish farmers spacing their traps in the rice fields.
Posted by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:34 pm to
We do 2 boat lengths. Which is what maybe 40-50 feet?
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2655 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:35 pm to
But I have to make sure that some of trap is exposed above the surface in case there is low oxygen level in water?
Posted by TexasTiger01
Lake Houston
Member since Nov 2013
3215 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:38 pm to
If you want to use pillow traps, which are definitely easier to put out and pickup. You could always put willow poles down if the water starts turning bad to lean the traps on. Either way takes a little more work....
Posted by Clyde Tipton
Planet Earth
Member since Dec 2007
38743 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:39 pm to
quote:

But I have to make sure that some of trap is exposed above the surface in case there is low oxygen level in water?


Yes.

That's why the pyramids work and are shaped the way they are for shallow fields.

Pillow traps are for deep water where oxygenation is rarely a concern.

You need pillow in the ditches and pyramids in the fields. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
13895 posts
Posted on 2/9/15 at 1:48 pm to
A buddy of mine has been making his pillow traps with that orange construction fencing from Home Depot. He holds them together with zip ties. It's less than $30 for a 100' roll, and the plastic stuff is very low maintenance.



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