How do you build a simple crawdad trap?

How do you build a simple crawdad trap?

• and what is a good bait

• Answer:

  - 2' X 5' Roll of 1/4" hardware cloth (1/2 " could also be used.) (about 6 dollars) 1 roll of stainless steel tie wire About $1.95. Cut a piece of the hardware cloth 2' by 28" long. Fold over and in the first 2-3 grid rows along the raw cut edge to prevent you from getting stuck by the sharp wire edges. Results in a cylinder about 8 1/2' in diameter. Hold it in a cylinder shape with the 2 folded edges overlapping each other. Weave the wire in and out of the grid squares to fasten the two edges together, or use your nylon ties. Cut from the remaining cloth either a semicircle ( recommended) with a 9 1/2" radius - or 3 triangles 9" by 7 1/2". Gently fold the semicircle in half along the straight edge to create a funnel shape and connect the 2 halves of the straight edges together. If you are using the triangles you will need to connect all 3 pieces together along the the long edges. Cut the pointed end off off the resulted funnel shape to make a hole about the size off an old silver dollar or 2" in diameter. Insert the funnel into the cylinder. and fasten. Don't be concerned it if seems to be a bit of a mismatch as you can trim off any excess or draw it up where you might be short. Next choose a location on the side of the cylinder to place your door. Count off a square of about 18 - 1/4 square grids by 18. Mark the corners, then using a marker draw a line crisscross from corner to corner. Cut along the crisscross line, then fold the triangle flaps inside tightly and fasten to prevent them from dropping down. This will give you a nice clean hole to work through. Cut a piece of cloth 30 squares wide by 54 long. Fold this in half at the 27th grid. Then with it sandwiched fold 3 grids of both plies of the remaining raw edges. This will make your door. Lay the door over the opening, overlapping it by about 3 grids all the way around, and using your tying material create 2 hinges. At this point you can decide whether to create a fancy spring clasp or do as we did and just use a tie as a door latch. Drop in a chicken leg for bait....git er done!