Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Promar Collapsible fish trap

Has anyone used the Promar Collapsible fish trap, TR-101?

http://www.promarnets.com/promar/products.aspx?cat=7&Item=61

We need to remove tons of small bluegill out of the pond at our gun club.

With a quick search of fish traps I found this one for $14.99, $5 shipping or free shipping on orders over $39.

(vendor info available on request, don't want to promote them here).

So for $45 we could have 3 of them.

I can't find info on the opening size, not sure if it would be too large for small bluegill (less than 6" would be the target).

Seems like a great price if it will work (the club is cheap, so they will like the price)

Actually given the environment, cheap gear that will only last a season or two is preferred over expensive gear that would last because even good gear would probably get destroyed, lost or disappear.

Matt

I don't have any personal experience with that trap, but from the specs it seems kind of small to me, especially in light of removing tons of smaller BG. I highly doubt that a 6" BG would be able to enter, but you're right...more info on the opening size would be beneficial.

Is it possible to run a seine through the pond, or at least through some areas/coves?

Matt are there no decent size black bass in the pond?

I don't experience with that exact brand, but I have used similar traps. They can be very effective, especially when baited. However, be careful if you bait them as the turtles will shred them to pieces!

There are, but obviously not enough.

The pond is probably 1/4 - 1/2 acre, not real big nor very deep, maybe 5'-8' with a few holes.

It is shallow in the center and deeper around the edges since it was cleaned out some time ago, but the excavator could only reach so far.

The pond is full of 2"-4" bluegill. When they are biting the kids can't keep a hook in the water.
But they are just too small, never caught more than a couple 6" or larger and the body condition of them was poor.

I have caught a few decent bass, largest 1-2 lbs (deep hooked at dusk and i had no light with me, he ended up released into hot grease).

I did catch a 9"-10" crappie this spring while fishing with the kids, kind of a surprise.

We were at lunch talking the other day (work party renovating the range/doubling the number of shooting lanes) and the condition of the pond came up.

I've only been a member for 4 years and the bluegill have always been tiny.
Some of the other members talked about when there were good sized bluegill in the pond and how to fix it and I suggested traps.
So I got nominated to look into it.

The pond is lightly managed, they added aeration a few years ago after a fish kill and it is stocked with catfish every year before the fathers day camp out.

Somebody hand feeds every once in a while, not sure how often.

It is primarily used for taking the kids fishing although plenty of adults fish it.

A fyke net might help, but they are a little pricey.

Can you add larger bass to the pond? It might be easier than trapping.

Possible, probably a great solution, but doubtful.

It might be a better option, but since it is more work (upfront- debate how many, are they even needed, debate some more, find somewhere to get some, debate some more, deal with those managing the pond etc.) I don't see it happening.

While $45 on 3 traps that would just magically show up (the guy in brown shorts) could be done out of petty cash as soon as I give them a link to order from, or order myself and just turn in a receipt.

And then run them whenever someone is around, most likely just keep them hanging from the dock and somebody can empty/bait them when they are there.

I bet there are those what would start stopping by to empty the traps and get bait on the way to the river.

Matt

I'm pretty sure I saw these at Dick's sporting goods recently and it cost $19. If you have a Dicks nearby, it may be worth visiting to size up the opening.

Would like to see how they work.

An option is to borrow a seine net (50-60 foot X 6 with 1/4 mesh ) and seine a bunch out.

On general principal I refuse to shop at dicks, although I did break my rule and stopped there earlier this spring when I needed ammo for my students.

I may have to stop by the local one and check it out, maybe pick one up for that price.

I just hate the layout of the store, it's over priced and every time I go there looking for something I end up back tracking and driving the 40 miles to cableas or bass pro that I should have done in the first place.

A seine would be nice, but I don't know anyone locally who has one.

Also with the layout of the pond, shallow in the middle with basically a moat around the center (as far as the excavator would reach when it was cleaned out), I'm not sure how well a seine could work.

Took the info to the club when I went to work on the new range today.
Now I need to wait until the next meeting and run it by the pond guy and get him on board.

Matt

I've used that trap and I think it is not as good as the wire mesh traps or box like traps made by some PBforum members. I don't use mine anymore since my other traps catch more fish. It does catch fish. It is primarily a crayfish trap. The opening is horizontal (good for crays) instead or circular or vertical which are best for catching fish. You will have to widen the opening by trimming some of the mesh where fish/crayfish enter. As it is sold, the opening is mostly closed for collecting and retaining crayfish.

Matt,
I didn't suggest you buy it; I suggested you could get one in your hands to check it out.

I dislike Dick's as well but spent about a half hour there about a month ago while the Mrs. was shopping clothes which is something I dislike more then Dicks. I like Academy.

Make a trap out of rigid plastic netting. Easy to do and there are threads here on the subject. You can buy small seines at Wal-Mart and put two together for a 40 ft seine. A very good tool to have. Last I checked they were about $20 each.

Bil thanks for the info, that is very helpful.

Djstauder- I know what you meant, but if the price was the same as having just 1 shipped I might have swallowed my pride and bought it.

Ewest- I will look into the seines.

This has been put on hold for a few weeks until the next general meeting, need to work on the pond guy.

I wish I wasn't sinking every dollar I can find into my Firearms training business (CCW coming to IL). I would love to just buy traps/seine my self and use/donate to the club and skip all the BS.

I just had to pass on a great deal for a ruger single six w/22 mag conversion and brick of 22 ammo the other day, too much else to invest in right now. And I need a single action revolver for class so I can stop borrowing one.

But I would still need the pond guy on board to do this, so ...

Thanks for all the input, I will keep you updated.

Matt