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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281 |
Well I can say that 1500 crayfish at 4", that's around 150 lbs of crayfish. And looks like about a little less than 2 lbs a day. So was this with one trap? I also recall you were able to remove some with a cast net.
It's totally remarkable, You removed 600 lbs/acre of forage and they still supported the lion's share of growth and maintenance of 432 lbs/acre of HSB. It's remarkable indeed.
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
...So was this with one trap? I also recall you were able to remove some with a cast net... A single trap was used almost entirely, maybe very little overlap. A clover leaf early in the year and then much smaller cylindrical minnow style trap advertised as a crawdad trap. The smaller trap actually worked a little better than the cloverleaf. I think this was due to the inverted cones on the ends whereas the cloverleaf's slit openings go from top to bottom and allow the craws to just crawl out easier as they walk the perimeter. I did catch some with a cast net, but not many. I was targeting tad poles and just happened to get some craws off the bottom (in 7 foot of water). I may have added 50 craws to the catch with the net. I am using both traps currently and plan to put them further apart this evening. They are both fairly equal in trapped numbers right now, but are only 10 feet away from one another. I will be adding an anchor point to a big log about 50 feet away to attach the smaller trap to.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281 |
You worked diligently to get them out. You haven't seemed to complain at all. If you had a little Cajun in you, it might have been a blast and something you looked forward too. I'm not Cajun either, but I do love their crawfish (had to change the spelling). Every year, I just can't wait for crawfish season to begin anew. I have a small property that I have been contemplating a ~1/8 acre pond. Been thinking about a Crawfish, TP, RBT rotation annually to produce 3 crops. It sounds crazy, but one of the things I want to select for is fishability of the crayfish. I would select for the crayfish that would dangle above the water for the longest length of time on a baited line. I have a great memories of catching crays as kid with pole and line. When my dad and I would bass fish, we'd even catch them on plastic worms and jig and grubs and bring huge ones right into the boat! The crayfish here and even in my home town lake are White River Crayfish and they have a similar annual cycle to the Northerns with fall mating and spring spawns ... but the WRC spawn sooner and mature faster and are ready to harvest in June-July time frame.
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,471 Likes: 108
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,471 Likes: 108 |
Prolly wont be much help to ya but kinda funny. Once I put a Seado in the pond to tune it (really just playin) alil. Made prolly about 20 - 30 doughtnuts as fast as I could in there. When I got off it the pond edge was covered in crawdads tryin to get away. Could make for a pretty quick harvest if needed.
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 461 Likes: 16
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 461 Likes: 16 |
If you ship em to FL Ill take em
Im going to ask a lot of questions, but only because I'm clueless
5-20 Acres in Florida. Bass/Tilapia/Bowfin/Gator
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,663 Likes: 884
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,663 Likes: 884 |
I get White River Craws for stocking in ponds. I called my supplier earlier this week and they said now all they are getting is the smaller ones, they said wait until May/June for the larger ones if I was selling them for table fare.
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281 |
I get White River Craws for stocking in ponds. I called my supplier earlier this week and they said now all they are getting is the smaller ones, they said wait until May/June for the larger ones if I was selling them for table fare. Yes, they can grow to 3" in length in 3 months from hatching. I really like them for the goal of late spring harvest . By July the latest hatchers have stopped growing but there should be many >4.5" crays
Last edited by jpsdad; 03/25/21 11:32 AM.
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 907 Likes: 205
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 907 Likes: 205 |
Prolly wont be much help to ya but kinda funny. Once I put a Seado in the pond to tune it (really just playin) alil. Made prolly about 20 - 30 doughtnuts as fast as I could in there. When I got off it the pond edge was covered in crawdads tryin to get away. Could make for a pretty quick harvest if needed. You sound a little like my friend that would take a seadoo and make donuts wider and wider till he would have all his FA slung out on the banks, that was his method of clearing the pond of it.
All the really good ideas I've ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,471 Likes: 108
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,471 Likes: 108 |
Might have to get another one now. My FA got alil outta control this year.
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1 member likes this:
gehajake |
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
If you ship em to FL Ill take em I am not having trouble, locally, finding new homes for these guys and I'm not sure about the laws regarding transporting craws across state lines. I know it is illegal to bring live craws into Missouri. And, with the reintroduction of the Otter in Missouri...fisheries are having a horrible time farming them. It would be rare to find them for sale in a bait shop or otherwise. City, I would look more local to your home and make sure the species is correct for your BOW and area. I suspect the Northern Virile Crayfish gets it's name from being more of a "Northern" dwelling species. It may be illegal for your area, or it may not live their to begin with ...IDK.
Fish on!, Noel
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1 member likes this:
jpsdad |
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 78 Likes: 9
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 78 Likes: 9 |
I successfully stocked your crawdads into 3 places including my overflow pond that currently has no fish. Every one of them made it alive. Thanks again buddy!
3 acre pond NE KS Pond Boss subscriber
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1 member likes this:
RStringer |
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
I successfully stocked your crawdads into 3 places including my overflow pond that currently has no fish. Every one of them made it alive. Thanks again buddy! I'm glad all went well, thanks for the confirmation John! Enjoy!
Last edited by Quarter Acre; 03/29/21 07:19 AM.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
Successful trapping rates have slowed down a lot in the last week. I have averaged about 4 per day with the last 2 days as no shows. I'm not sure what is going on other than it has been a bit chilly this last week or so.
I do have about 40 in a cage, if anyone is interested. I am starting to see some cannibalism in the cage and may toss this batch in the creek soon.
On a side note, the tadpole catch rate is increasing. I have about 100 in a cage right now. About 300 went into the creek a few days ago. It's hard to believe that I have that many that overwinter in the pond.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
There are over 100 crawdads in my cage that need a new home. These are 2 to 5" long.
NO ReHOMING FEE...LOL
PM me or respond to this thread if you want them. I'm about 10 miles north of Sedalia, MO.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 461 Likes: 16
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 461 Likes: 16 |
You wanna mail em to florida?
Im going to ask a lot of questions, but only because I'm clueless
5-20 Acres in Florida. Bass/Tilapia/Bowfin/Gator
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
You wanna mail em to florida? I'm not even sure how that would work. These guys have been pretty easy to find homes for, so shipping them is not an option. Not to mention the legality. Some states have laws about crawdads crossing state lines. This batch is spoken for and will be going to KC tomorrow.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
I have over 100 crawdads (maybe 200 by this weekend) looking for a new home. These Northern Virile craws are mostly 3 to 4" long with a few at 5".
PM me or respond to this thread if you want to pick them up. I'm about 10 miles north of Sedalia, MO.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,152 Likes: 282
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,152 Likes: 282 |
QA's crayfish are good breeders. I now have thousands of them in all sizes. HIghly recommended!
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
The last batch is spoken for....more to come in a few weeks! These won't see breeding season as they are destined TO BE SEASONED.
Fish on!, Noel
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1 member likes this:
gehajake |
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,562 Likes: 637
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,562 Likes: 637 |
QA's crayfish are good breeders. I now have thousands of them in all sizes. I know some guys on the forum are exceptional at feed training their fish. I really DON'T want to know how Noel has been "breed training" his crawdads!
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
QA's crayfish are good breeders. I now have thousands of them in all sizes. I know some guys on the forum are exceptional at feed training their fish. I really DON'T want to know how Noel has been "breed training" his crawdads! If anything, I'm trying to learn a few things from them!
Fish on!, Noel
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1 member likes this:
FishinRod |
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281 |
QA's crayfish are good breeders. I now have thousands of them in all sizes. I know some guys on the forum are exceptional at feed training their fish. I really DON'T want to know how Noel has been "breed training" his crawdads! Well this I do know. QA's crayfish are feed trained. They'll swim up from bottom to grab feed at feeding time. He posted some pretty cool pics of this happening.
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,911 Likes: 116
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,911 Likes: 116 |
I was lucky enough to get some of QA’s craws last summer. We are seeing more around the pond now. My SMB really work the shallows though, so I don’t think I’ll ever get enough to share.
Last edited by SetterGuy; 07/28/21 07:56 AM.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
I was lucky enough to get some of QA’s craws last summer. We are seeing more around the pond now. My SMB really work the shallows though, so I don’t think I’ll ever get enough to share. Not having enough to share IS my goal...so, I'd say you are in a good place. Trapping this year has been a third less productive than last. The spring addition of CC and the trapping efforts seem to be assisting the goal even though my waters are still muddy.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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OP
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
It's time for another batch of northern virile crawdads to find a new home. There should be around 200 in the cage by this weekend - probably more, all 3 to 5 inches long. I won't have any trouble feeding them to my human friends, but thought I'd offer them to the forum members to pick-up first.
Respond here or PM me if your interested.
Fish on!, Noel
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