How to use a Prawn or Yabbie trap

How to use a Prawn or Yabbie trap


2 minute read

One great passive technique for catching shrimp is a trap, which consists of a cage with funnel-shaped entrances that point inward. The angler places bait within the trap and leaves it in the water for a period of time. As plankton congregate around the bait, the prawns swim through the funnel entrances to feed on the plankton, but are unable to get out again. The angler can then retrieve the trap and recover the captured prawns or yabbies.

It's very simple to set up a prawn trap. Tie a length of weighted line to your prawn trap that is longer than the depth at which you will fish. Weighted line with a lead core sinks, preventing boats from hitting your trap lines. Attach a proper prawn trap buoy to the other end of the line. Ensure the buoy and trap meet with all regulations for identification markings.

Check that the trap is weighted properly for the area you will fish. Use more fishing weights for deeper areas, less for more shallow places. Make sure the weight is evenly distributed on the trap. A trap that flips up on one end because of poor weight distribution will fail to catch prawns properly.

Load the bait section of the cage trap with bait. Use cans of cat food with holes punched in them, bait fish or fish carcasses zip-tied together, ground chum in a fine mesh chum bag or other protein-based baits. Having a zipped bait holding section ensures that the bait is held securely in place. 

Locate a prime area where prawns or yabbies are that does not have an excessive amount of traffic. Drop a measuring line and weight overboard or use your electronic depth finder to ensure the area is not too deep for your prawn trap line. Put the trap overboard and allow it to sink to the bottom.

Leave the trap underwater for at least 12 hours. When you return to the trap, carefully lift it to the surface. Bring the trap on board, open the door and remove your catch. Re-bait the trap, and place it back in the water for another round.

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