To be honest, I haven't had a good haul of prawns for two years anyways....
No doubt prawn numbers are down from previous years however we still do well regardless of commies, here is what we do that may or may not help some guys out there.
1. We never mix fishing with prawning, its one or the other as there is not enough time in a day.
2. Have a minimum of 6 traps, we made our own during the winters using 5/8 coil rod for hoops.
3. Nets should have minimum 4 openings.
4. Traps need enough weight so float does not make them move in choppy water.
5.No bait with eyeballs like fish heads
6. Bait needs to be a combination of milking and food they will stay and eat. Chopped up fish and fish guts soaked in fish oils will attract and tough old chicken skin keeps them eating in the trap. Pack this mixture as tight as possible in bait holder then freeze overnight.
7. Don't forget bait in freezer.
8. 250- 350 is the ideal depth
9. We have located spots the commies do not fish , likely because of the dropoffs into very deep water of Howe Sound. It takes time to find these spots and they are small but packed with prawns. Also prawns will leave traps to go to others that present a better bait.
10. If you don't have an electrictric trap puller you are losing half the prawns on the way up.
11. First time out we pull after 2 hours, rebait with oily stuff and leave for another 2-3 hours.