Prawn Trap effectiveness

[Last Chance]

So I've been doing some prawning in an area not exactly known for hot prawning, but it's close and convenient. Anyone else notice that the prawn traps with the tight (not loose and flappy) mesh seem to outfish older traps with loose flappy mesh several times over?

Time and time again, the tight mesh (not referring to size but to how tight it is to the frame) seems to out fish the flappy traps all the time, we are talking 5 pieces in the flappy trap versus 40-100 in the "tight" trap.

I just went through the very time consuming process of re-netting some round style prawn traps. It was a bit of an art, starting from the bottom and working up, but with a little finess, I got the mesh drum tight.

Anyone else find this?

Bait doesn't seem to matter, I fish two strings, and the creative baits seem to fish as well as the standard issue pellets overnight.

 

[Little red boat]

Last Chance,

I use the commercial type traps that pull drum tight and have not had any issues with flapping net. If the net is not tight it will droop and the prawns will sit on top of your trap and try to get at the bait instead of finding an enterance to gain access to the bait inside.

 

[tincan]

I think it's safe to say nobody enjoys a flappy trap. too soon?

 

[FishNmemories]

Good point, Last Chance

I agree, the tight mesh helps the traps fish better. As I just spent yesterday afternoon going over my prawn traps, (repairing small holes in the mesh, re-painting on name/phone number, and checking buoys and lines), I made sure to tighten the entry rings on the older traps. As these entry rings were either facing up or down and not straight into the trap. This was due to loose mesh, so it is a good idea to tighten the web on the traps.

 

[hambone]

LastChance, you're absolutely right. You want it to be as easy as possible for the prawns to find their way in. You can just sinch in excess mesh on the top and bottom with whipping twine or zap straps.

 

[Last Chance]

I went down to Trotac, and bought new nets for my trap and put them on. What a difference they make, i strongly suggest anyone running the round traps do it. Here is how to put it on, after playing around for an hour:

Slide the net over the trap.

Do up the bottom hole (Where the prawns empty out). Wrap the bottom retaining rope around the bottom of the ring (Important to start here, starting from the top does not work!). Do your best to keep the "emptying" hole centered. I bought new 1/4" braided poly rope, as it slides through the mes easier. Remember to tie the knot, and lay the excess coming out of the knot under the wrapping. Braided poly seems to snug tighter to the frame.

Setting up the doors: Before cutting holes in the net, use the rubbers to line the doors up tight by putting the doors over the mesh, and moving them around to where you want them. Get the doors to where you want them.

NOW, begin wrapping the upper ring. This is where you pull the excess netting in singing tight. You have to be carefull to pull both tight, and evenly. Allow half an hour to do the top. As you work your way along, pull hard enough to where you think you will break the net! It will stretch.

When you have gone around the top, tie off the string.

Now cut your holes, moving the rings around a little to compensate for any slop in the net. If you have any loose mesh around the doors that you missed when running the rope along the top, now is the time to snug it up with zip ties.

Attach bridal, bait cup, and go catch prawns!

My first trap turned out OK, the second trap, you would not be able to distinguise from the brand new ones at Trotac, except by the colour of the rope! Sit back, and congratulate yourself on saving yourself $80-100 each on new stainless round traps.

 

[Bod]

Good post. Loose mesh does not fish as well as new tight mesh for sure. Why do you think there are so many used commercial traps for sale? But on the other hand the stretched big mesh traps only get the big prawns that you want. Kind of a trade off. If you don't get out often go with the smaller sport mesh, as you will get more prawns in short time.

 

[lawlu]

About how much for the mesh net material?

 

[trophywife]

loose flappy crap on yer traps scares the bugs away.

 

[Last Chance]

The mesh was $20..

 

[Tsquared]

good topic Last Chance. I've found prawning at my spot slower and inconsistent this year but hadn't thought of the
net stretch being a factor. I'll look at that when I pull them on Thursday.
T2