Prawning question?

[trinity]

1) what do you use to hold the bate in the trap with, say i'm useing pellets.

2) how much bate would you use in each trap?

3) can you prawn year round

4) is there a website that would show me a few tips about prawning in BC


thanks for any info <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>



<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

 

[Bob W]

Everyone has their own way of getting prawns so what works for me may be something completely different than others.

Bait: Best bet for pellets is to get a Scotty bait jar or find a small plastic jar and punch holes in it. Rig up a quick connector to suspend the bait in the exact center of the trap or the prawns will feed on the bait without enetering the trap. I use a couple of pieces of old bicycle innertube with a wire hook mounted on the top and bottom of the trap. That way you can just hook in the bait jar and it saves a lot of time trying to tie the bait jar all the time.

Fill the bait jar only half full. The pellets expand when wet and you want them floating and sloshing about when in the water to get maximum bait scent. Too tight, and they can't do this.

Personally, I like to use cheap cat food with holes punched in the can, but its a matter of preference. Bait pellets do work.

Yes you can prawn year round. But the commercial season usually runs about the start of May to early July and its wise to stay away from the commercial trap lines to avoid tangling their very long set lines. A lot of commercial guys have little patience for sporties and will just cut you line if you are in the way. Also, don't set in busy channels and stay away from tug and log boom routes. The tugs will not see your float at night and even if they do, can't maneuver out of the way . I have a buddy that works on the log booms at a sawmill, and they get a string of traps every month or so, tangled in the log booms.

I like to set my traps where I can see them and go fishing for a few hours in the vicinity. Unfortunately, there are some who will steal unattended traps so be careful.

Tides are very important. Try to pick times where there is low tidal movement and soak the traps across tide changes.

I don't know of any websites with prawning tips, but if you want, drop me an e-mail (rjwester@canoemail.com)and I can help out with any questions. As I say, there are many ideas of how to get prawns - I eat a lot of prawns, so I know what works for me.

 

[Bob W]

Everyone has their own way of getting prawns so what works for me may be something completely different than others.

Bait: Best bet for pellets is to get a Scotty bait jar or find a small plastic jar and punch holes in it. Rig up a quick connector to suspend the bait in the exact center of the trap or the prawns will feed on the bait without enetering the trap. I use a couple of pieces of old bicycle innertube with a wire hook mounted on the top and bottom of the trap. That way you can just hook in the bait jar and it saves a lot of time trying to tie the bait jar all the time.

Fill the bait jar only half full. The pellets expand when wet and you want them floating and sloshing about when in the water to get maximum bait scent. Too tight, and they can't do this.

Personally, I like to use cheap cat food with holes punched in the can, but its a matter of preference. Bait pellets do work.

Yes you can prawn year round. But the commercial season usually runs about the start of May to early July and its wise to stay away from the commercial trap lines to avoid tangling their very long set lines. A lot of commercial guys have little patience for sporties and will just cut you line if you are in the way. Also, don't set in busy channels and stay away from tug and log boom routes. The tugs will not see your float at night and even if they do, can't maneuver out of the way . I have a buddy that works on the log booms at a sawmill, and they get a string of traps every month or so, tangled in the log booms.

I like to set my traps where I can see them and go fishing for a few hours in the vicinity. Unfortunately, there are some who will steal unattended traps so be careful.

Tides are very important. Try to pick times where there is low tidal movement and soak the traps across tide changes.

I don't know of any websites with prawning tips, but if you want, drop me an e-mail (rjwester@canoemail.com)and I can help out with any questions. As I say, there are many ideas of how to get prawns - I eat a lot of prawns, so I know what works for me.

 

[Bob W]

Everyone has their own way of getting prawns so what works for me may be something completely different than others.

Bait: Best bet for pellets is to get a Scotty bait jar or find a small plastic jar and punch holes in it. Rig up a quick connector to suspend the bait in the exact center of the trap or the prawns will feed on the bait without enetering the trap. I use a couple of pieces of old bicycle innertube with a wire hook mounted on the top and bottom of the trap. That way you can just hook in the bait jar and it saves a lot of time trying to tie the bait jar all the time.

Fill the bait jar only half full. The pellets expand when wet and you want them floating and sloshing about when in the water to get maximum bait scent. Too tight, and they can't do this.

Personally, I like to use cheap cat food with holes punched in the can, but its a matter of preference. Bait pellets do work.

Yes you can prawn year round. But the commercial season usually runs about the start of May to early July and its wise to stay away from the commercial trap lines to avoid tangling their very long set lines. A lot of commercial guys have little patience for sporties and will just cut you line if you are in the way. Also, don't set in busy channels and stay away from tug and log boom routes. The tugs will not see your float at night and even if they do, can't maneuver out of the way . I have a buddy that works on the log booms at a sawmill, and they get a string of traps every month or so, tangled in the log booms.

I like to set my traps where I can see them and go fishing for a few hours in the vicinity. Unfortunately, there are some who will steal unattended traps so be careful.

Tides are very important. Try to pick times where there is low tidal movement and soak the traps across tide changes.

I don't know of any websites with prawning tips, but if you want, drop me an e-mail (rjwester@canoemail.com)and I can help out with any questions. As I say, there are many ideas of how to get prawns - I eat a lot of prawns, so I know what works for me.

 

[Bob W]

Everyone has their own way of getting prawns so what works for me may be something completely different than others.

Bait: Best bet for pellets is to get a Scotty bait jar or find a small plastic jar and punch holes in it. Rig up a quick connector to suspend the bait in the exact center of the trap or the prawns will feed on the bait without enetering the trap. I use a couple of pieces of old bicycle innertube with a wire hook mounted on the top and bottom of the trap. That way you can just hook in the bait jar and it saves a lot of time trying to tie the bait jar all the time.

Fill the bait jar only half full. The pellets expand when wet and you want them floating and sloshing about when in the water to get maximum bait scent. Too tight, and they can't do this.

Personally, I like to use cheap cat food with holes punched in the can, but its a matter of preference. Bait pellets do work.

Yes you can prawn year round. But the commercial season usually runs about the start of May to early July and its wise to stay away from the commercial trap lines to avoid tangling their very long set lines. A lot of commercial guys have little patience for sporties and will just cut you line if you are in the way. Also, don't set in busy channels and stay away from tug and log boom routes. The tugs will not see your float at night and even if they do, can't maneuver out of the way . I have a buddy that works on the log booms at a sawmill, and they get a string of traps every month or so, tangled in the log booms.

I like to set my traps where I can see them and go fishing for a few hours in the vicinity. Unfortunately, there are some who will steal unattended traps so be careful.

Tides are very important. Try to pick times where there is low tidal movement and soak the traps across tide changes.

I don't know of any websites with prawning tips, but if you want, drop me an e-mail (rjwester@canoemail.com)and I can help out with any questions. As I say, there are many ideas of how to get prawns - I eat a lot of prawns, so I know what works for me.

 

[dinkfloat]

good post!
the only thing I can add to that is that(being a commercial prawn fisherman) is that soak times are very important.....too short a soak will catch too many small prawns,by soaking longer ,the larger prawns enter the trap and chase the smaller ones out......if you soak them too long,you will eventually get star fish.octopus ,slime eels,crab,etc etc in the traps after the bait and the prawns.....of course it depends on the area but normally a 2 day soak will be most productive

as for pellets ......moore clarke bait out fishes any other pellets,but cat food is convienient for a couple traps and works fine.....good luck!!!

 

[dinkfloat]

good post!
the only thing I can add to that is that(being a commercial prawn fisherman) is that soak times are very important.....too short a soak will catch too many small prawns,by soaking longer ,the larger prawns enter the trap and chase the smaller ones out......if you soak them too long,you will eventually get star fish.octopus ,slime eels,crab,etc etc in the traps after the bait and the prawns.....of course it depends on the area but normally a 2 day soak will be most productive

as for pellets ......moore clarke bait out fishes any other pellets,but cat food is convienient for a couple traps and works fine.....good luck!!!

 

[dinkfloat]

good post!
the only thing I can add to that is that(being a commercial prawn fisherman) is that soak times are very important.....too short a soak will catch too many small prawns,by soaking longer ,the larger prawns enter the trap and chase the smaller ones out......if you soak them too long,you will eventually get star fish.octopus ,slime eels,crab,etc etc in the traps after the bait and the prawns.....of course it depends on the area but normally a 2 day soak will be most productive

as for pellets ......moore clarke bait out fishes any other pellets,but cat food is convienient for a couple traps and works fine.....good luck!!!

 

[dinkfloat]

good post!
the only thing I can add to that is that(being a commercial prawn fisherman) is that soak times are very important.....too short a soak will catch too many small prawns,by soaking longer ,the larger prawns enter the trap and chase the smaller ones out......if you soak them too long,you will eventually get star fish.octopus ,slime eels,crab,etc etc in the traps after the bait and the prawns.....of course it depends on the area but normally a 2 day soak will be most productive

as for pellets ......moore clarke bait out fishes any other pellets,but cat food is convienient for a couple traps and works fine.....good luck!!!

 

[trinity]

Thanks for the posts guys


Now useing pellets whats the most used sizes, about the same size all dry cat food I take it. I work for a company that makes pellets and I'm a machine operator that makes pellets. I can make the pellets to what I need. And want to figure out the best size.

I take it oily feed would work well. It should suck up the water well. And floating is a plus. Any other tips on the best pellets?

 

[trinity]

Thanks for the posts guys


Now useing pellets whats the most used sizes, about the same size all dry cat food I take it. I work for a company that makes pellets and I'm a machine operator that makes pellets. I can make the pellets to what I need. And want to figure out the best size.

I take it oily feed would work well. It should suck up the water well. And floating is a plus. Any other tips on the best pellets?

 

[trinity]

Thanks for the posts guys


Now useing pellets whats the most used sizes, about the same size all dry cat food I take it. I work for a company that makes pellets and I'm a machine operator that makes pellets. I can make the pellets to what I need. And want to figure out the best size.

I take it oily feed would work well. It should suck up the water well. And floating is a plus. Any other tips on the best pellets?

 

[trinity]

Thanks for the posts guys


Now useing pellets whats the most used sizes, about the same size all dry cat food I take it. I work for a company that makes pellets and I'm a machine operator that makes pellets. I can make the pellets to what I need. And want to figure out the best size.

I take it oily feed would work well. It should suck up the water well. And floating is a plus. Any other tips on the best pellets?