Baitfish trap - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

shark79 · 03-15-2017, 04:38 PM

After seeing online prices of $75+ after shipping I decided to build my own. Fish don't stand a chance if this thing works! Hardware cloth and zip ties. $17 bucks and 2 hours.

Texifornia · 03-15-2017, 04:43 PM

I'll give ya $20 bucks for it.

We going Saturday?

Muskles · 03-15-2017, 06:06 PM

I used one similar to that a few years ago that a friend let me borrow. If you have a good bait pond, it'll catch 50-100 at a time. Best trap I've ever used. His only had there entry holes, but there was a separate compartment where the bait cylinder is that had a cone entrance. Kinda like a trap inside a trap. One thing about the zip ties though, they don't weather very well. They will become brittle.

chunkinlead · 03-15-2017, 06:16 PM

I've made a few like that and instead of zip ties used hog rings. They work like a charm.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

shark79 · 03-15-2017, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texifornia

I'll give ya $20 bucks for it.

We going Saturday?

Yep and hopefully with some perch!

shark79 · 03-15-2017, 07:41 PM

Yea I need to find some aluminum clips like they use on squirrel traps. Anybody know where to get them? TSC ain't got em.

Cantcatch5 · 03-15-2017, 07:46 PM

I made one like that but with metal clips instead of wire ties and it will fill up with bait in a hurry!

Texas Grown · 03-15-2017, 09:52 PM

You fishing Lake Pat? I was out there today.

Mexico · 03-15-2017, 10:01 PM

Nicely done !

Sent from somewhere in Old Mexico...

coy-ote · 03-15-2017, 10:04 PM

Most feed stores have the j clips and the pliers to make cages from hardware cloth, I make my own varmit cages in San Antonio Locke hill feed has them

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

PredatorControl · 03-15-2017, 10:41 PM

My grandfather showed my cousins and I how to build one like that when we were growing up. It worked great until one day we caught a cotton mouth in it. My cousin and I blew holes in it with a 410 trying to kill that snake.

shark79 · 03-16-2017, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

You fishing Lake Pat? I was out there today.

Nope. I usually head to Whitney.

timberking · 03-16-2017, 07:47 AM

I have made a bunch in the past. I use crab trap rings mostly with the rabbit cage clips as hinges for door and hog rings on the corners. Yes, they will catch a snake. 20 ft. piece of cloth will make 2.

buckfan50 · 03-16-2017, 08:12 AM

It works well and all you need for bait is a crumbled up piece of aluminum foil! The glitter from the light hitting it really attracts the bream!

shark79 · 03-16-2017, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckfan50

It works well and all you need for bait is a crumbled up piece of aluminum foil! The glitter from the light hitting it really attracts the bream!

Really? I baited mine with range cubes.

Cardinal · 03-16-2017, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark79

Yea I need to find some aluminum clips like they use on squirrel traps. Anybody know where to get them? TSC ain't got em.

Amazon has the pliers for like 8 bucks and a 1 lb bag of clips for $5. I dont know how many clips is in a pound but it would have to be more than enough for 2 or 3 traps...

fullsizeaggie · 03-16-2017, 10:27 AM

P7 stapler and hog rings will replace those zip ties very easily. Lots of uses otherwise.

tgil · 03-16-2017, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark79

Yea I need to find some aluminum clips like they use on squirrel traps. Anybody know where to get them? TSC ain't got em.

Might try the feed store in Joshua, or Mann Ag (or whatever they call it now)?

shark79 · 03-16-2017, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardinal

Amazon has the pliers for like 8 bucks and a 1 lb bag of clips for $5. I dont know how many clips is in a pound but it would have to be more than enough for 2 or 3 traps...

Just ordered some.

Texas Grown · 03-16-2017, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark79

Nope. I usually head to Whitney.

I was on Whitney the day before.

A sailboat capsized on Lake Pat while I was out there yesterday. Had fire and water rescue there, and other first responders. All persons were accounted for. No one injured or lost. Just a little cold. Water rescue had to break the mast off so they could flip the boat upright and tow it back.

Texas Grown · 03-16-2017, 10:38 PM

Trap looks great by the way.

shark79 · 03-17-2017, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

Trap looks great by the way.

It works. Checked it yesterday and already had a dozen or so in it.

UncleBubba · 03-17-2017, 08:11 AM

Lots of memories building those with my granddad. The zip tie idea is great, would have save my fingers from tying them together with wire lol.

muzzlebrake · 03-17-2017, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark79

Yea I need to find some aluminum clips like they use on squirrel traps. Anybody know where to get them? TSC ain't got em.

I got my clips and tool at Home Depot.
Make sure the funnel opening is not any larger than is allowed by TPWD rules if you are going to use it in public waters.
I bait mine with 20% cattle cubes in a little basket suspended inside.

Tubby · 03-17-2017, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckfan50

It works well and all you need for bait is a crumbled up piece of aluminum foil! The glitter from the light hitting it really attracts the bream!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark79

Really? I baited mine with range cubes.

Tear up a Styrofoam cup into big chunks (large enough they won't float thru the hardware cloth holes) and a slice of bread. The bread will attract the perch and once the bread is gone, the styrofoam will continue to attract more... they think it's bread.

Remember, the inlet openings can not be any larger than 1" X 3" each.

Good luck!

BURTONboy · 03-17-2017, 08:48 AM

Great job! We figured out years ago it wasn't anywhere near cost affective to buy the traps with how easy they are to make. They are some dangerous suckers though when you're cutting them out. That mesh will poke the crap out of you! lol

shark79 · 03-18-2017, 08:05 PM

Dividends!

Pedernal · 03-18-2017, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark79

Dividends!

Awesome!!

I might have missed it but what did you use for bait?

shark79 · 03-18-2017, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedernal

Awesome!!

I might have missed it but what did you use for bait?

Perch

Texas Grown · 03-18-2017, 09:30 PM

That's about what I got last Wed on Lake Pat. Used med shiners.

Any females? I had all male fish. Wish I had bought more than 1.5 doz shiners. The grass ate half of my bait.

steve morton · 03-18-2017, 09:52 PM

Wad up a slice of bread for bait and in and hour or so you will be filled up if you have a good perch tank. I have four and i will get 3 dozen or so in 15 minutes.

longstride · 03-22-2017, 11:44 PM

Ive used the same design, had a chunk of Styrofoam for bait. Curiosity lure,clean and it works.

KristryJoh · 03-23-2017, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark79

After seeing online prices of $75+ after shipping I decided to build my own. Fish don't stand a chance if this thing works! Hardware cloth and zip ties. $17 bucks and 2 hours.

How you made this?

And you have a cute dog.

My eyes fall for him.

Hawkpuppy 1 · 03-24-2017, 10:42 AM

I believe the metal clips are called J clips. Can usually buy them at TSC in the chicken wire section. They even make a pair of pliers that puts them on

Texas Grown · 03-24-2017, 12:03 PM

My TSC quit carrying the J-clips. They didn't move enough to justify carrying them any more. And their hog-rings are to large for cages, and varmint guards. I've used them for building varmint guards with 1"x2" mesh. My local Hm Depot doesn't have the J-clips either.

But Joshua Feed has them and the pliers.

Danielb89 · 03-24-2017, 01:35 PM

I'd be curious to know how you did it as well. Looks like a great design!

waffles · 04-19-2017, 04:14 PM

What size hog rings or j clips are yall using, and were are yall getting them at?

duckmanep · 04-19-2017, 04:28 PM

I have noticed on the one I built that I have better luck checking it a couple hours after I put it out. Seems like if I leave it overnight some must figure out how to get out.

Cajun shooter · 04-19-2017, 08:53 PM

I need to know how to build this!!!! Anyone have any plans, drawing, guidelines of some kind?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

duckmanep · 04-19-2017, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun shooter

I need to know how to build this!!!! Anyone have any plans, drawing, guidelines of some kind?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I used this one...

http://www.catfish1.com/forums/showt...Build-Yourself

Cajun shooter · 04-19-2017, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckmanep

I used this one...

http://www.catfish1.com/forums/showt...Build-Yourself

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

03-15-2017, 04:38 PM	#1
shark79 Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Cleburne Hunt In: Mills County	Baitfish trap After seeing online prices of $75+ after shipping I decided to build my own. Fish don't stand a chance if this thing works! Hardware cloth and zip ties. $17 bucks and 2 hours. Attached Images

03-18-2017, 08:05 PM	#27
shark79 Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Cleburne Hunt In: Mills County	Dividends! Attached Images

03-24-2017, 12:03 PM	#35
Texas Grown Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burleson, Texas	My TSC quit carrying the J-clips. They didn't move enough to justify carrying them any more. And their hog-rings are to large for cages, and varmint guards. I've used them for building varmint guards with 1"x2" mesh. My local Hm Depot doesn't have the J-clips either. But Joshua Feed has them and the pliers. Last edited by Texas Grown; 03-24-2017 at 12:06 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-15-2017, 04:43 PM	#2
Texifornia Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ft. Worth Hunt In: A Tree Stand	I'll give ya $20 bucks for it. We going Saturday?

03-15-2017, 06:06 PM	#3
Muskles Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Jacksonville Hunt In: Cherokee Co	I used one similar to that a few years ago that a friend let me borrow. If you have a good bait pond, it'll catch 50-100 at a time. Best trap I've ever used. His only had there entry holes, but there was a separate compartment where the bait cylinder is that had a cone entrance. Kinda like a trap inside a trap. One thing about the zip ties though, they don't weather very well. They will become brittle.

03-15-2017, 06:16 PM	#4
chunkinlead Six Point Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Ralls Hunt In: Mills Co.	I've made a few like that and instead of zip ties used hog rings. They work like a charm. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03-15-2017, 07:41 PM	#6
shark79 Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Cleburne Hunt In: Mills County	Yea I need to find some aluminum clips like they use on squirrel traps. Anybody know where to get them? TSC ain't got em.

03-15-2017, 07:46 PM	#7
Cantcatch5 Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tyler, TX	I made one like that but with metal clips instead of wire ties and it will fill up with bait in a hurry!

03-15-2017, 09:52 PM	#8
Texas Grown Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burleson, Texas	You fishing Lake Pat? I was out there today.

03-15-2017, 10:01 PM	#9
Mexico Pope & Young Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clear Lake Tx Hunt In: Old Mexico, Centerville Tx	Nicely done ! Sent from somewhere in Old Mexico...

03-15-2017, 10:04 PM	#10
coy-ote Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: la vernia tx Hunt In: Dimmit county	Most feed stores have the j clips and the pliers to make cages from hardware cloth, I make my own varmit cages in San Antonio Locke hill feed has them Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03-15-2017, 10:41 PM	#11
PredatorControl Spike Join Date: Apr 2016	My grandfather showed my cousins and I how to build one like that when we were growing up. It worked great until one day we caught a cotton mouth in it. My cousin and I blew holes in it with a 410 trying to kill that snake.

03-16-2017, 07:47 AM	#13
timberking Four Point Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Marshall Hunt In: Harrison, Marion, Panola,Runnels	I have made a bunch in the past. I use crab trap rings mostly with the rabbit cage clips as hinges for door and hog rings on the corners. Yes, they will catch a snake. 20 ft. piece of cloth will make 2.

03-16-2017, 08:12 AM	#14
buckfan50 Four Point Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Magnolia, Texas Hunt In: Montgomery County	It works well and all you need for bait is a crumbled up piece of aluminum foil! The glitter from the light hitting it really attracts the bream!

03-16-2017, 10:27 AM	#17
fullsizeaggie Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: St. Hedwig Hunt In: Missouri, East TX	P7 stapler and hog rings will replace those zip ties very easily. Lots of uses otherwise.

03-16-2017, 10:38 PM	#21
Texas Grown Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burleson, Texas	Trap looks great by the way.

03-17-2017, 08:11 AM	#23
UncleBubba Pope & Young Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NE Texas Hunt In: Dickens, Hunt, and Red River Co.	Lots of memories building those with my granddad. The zip tie idea is great, would have save my fingers from tying them together with wire lol.

03-17-2017, 08:48 AM	#26
BURTONboy Pope & Young Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brenham Hunt In: San Saba	Great job! We figured out years ago it wasn't anywhere near cost affective to buy the traps with how easy they are to make. They are some dangerous suckers though when you're cutting them out. That mesh will poke the crap out of you! lol

03-18-2017, 09:30 PM	#30
Texas Grown Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burleson, Texas	That's about what I got last Wed on Lake Pat. Used med shiners. Any females? I had all male fish. Wish I had bought more than 1.5 doz shiners. The grass ate half of my bait.

03-18-2017, 09:52 PM	#31
steve morton Eight Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Shiloh Hunt In: Limestone County	Wad up a slice of bread for bait and in and hour or so you will be filled up if you have a good perch tank. I have four and i will get 3 dozen or so in 15 minutes.

03-22-2017, 11:44 PM	#32
longstride Four Point Join Date: Nov 2012	Ive used the same design, had a chunk of Styrofoam for bait. Curiosity lure,clean and it works.

03-24-2017, 10:42 AM	#34
Hawkpuppy 1 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kerrville Hunt In: Texas	I believe the metal clips are called J clips. Can usually buy them at TSC in the chicken wire section. They even make a pair of pliers that puts them on

03-24-2017, 01:35 PM	#36
Danielb89 Six Point Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Monroe, LA	I'd be curious to know how you did it as well. Looks like a great design!

04-19-2017, 04:14 PM	#37
waffles Four Point Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Rockdale Hunt In: Milam County	What size hog rings or j clips are yall using, and were are yall getting them at?

04-19-2017, 04:28 PM	#38
duckmanep Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Northeast TX	I have noticed on the one I built that I have better luck checking it a couple hours after I put it out. Seems like if I leave it overnight some must figure out how to get out.

04-19-2017, 08:53 PM	#39
Cajun shooter Ten Point Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Houston Hunt In: Oakwood	I need to know how to build this!!!! Anyone have any plans, drawing, guidelines of some kind? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk