Crawfish, Crawdad, Crayfish, or Mudbug? 

Crawfish go by many names, including crawdads, crayfish, and mudbugs. What you call them often depends on where you're from or where you live. But whether you say you are "crawfish trapping" or "crayfish trapping, "many people agree they're delicious and make an excellent bait for freshwater fishing.

Delta Net and Twine's Frabill Torpedo crawfish traps are an effective way to catch these freshwater crustaceans. Our traps are easy to use, but familiarity can help you feel more prepared. The Delta Net and Twine team is always ready to help with any questions.

What Is the Best Bait for a Crawfish Trap? 

Crawfish are drawn to foods with strong smells. Some options for crawfish bait include beef liver, chicken liver, chicken legs, sardines, fish heads, wet cat food, and oily fish like tuna. If you're new to crawfish trapping, bring along several types of bait when you go out, and set more than one trap. This gives you a chance to learn which bait works best for your crayfish traps. 

Best Time for Crawfish Trapping?

Summer nights are the best time for crawfish trapping, but you can also attempt to catch them during late spring and early fall, so long as the water temperature is between 60-70 degrees.  They typically feed at night, so if you want to increase your chances of trapping a decent amount of crayfish, head out once the sun goes down. 

While it’s common for people to set their crawfish traps at dusk and return the following morning, it's best to check your traps every few hours. Outside of overloading the traps, these little crustaceans are veracious eaters, and you may need to rebait the trap. Bring a small hand net with you to scoop the crawfish out of the trap cage or bait bucket rather than trying to grab them with your hands.