No real study on mortality but I have (3) different traps that I've used so far.

My first trap was a homemade cylinder style with cone inlet on both sides. I've referenced it as the everything but crawdad trap a couple of times various thread as it has caught.....everything but crawdads. While I like the trap there are a couple of things about it that I really need to change. First is that it has sharp edges and points all over it. If you touch that trap, you are gonna bleed. Second is that when I pull the trap there is a pinch point where the fish seem to get stuck head first at the part where the cones join the cylinder. My design needs to be refined.

Second trap is a cloth cylinder that has collapsible cylinders on both ends. So far it has allowed extra large craws and up to 6" BG/TP into the trap. Overall, I like it and haven't noticed any damage to the fish in a few short and overnight soaks.

Third trap is a coated metal mesh trap with a larger opening to allow crawfish to get in. I've seen small fish and small/medium craws use the trap with no damage to them in short and overnight soaks.

Curious....is your trap coated or bare metal?

1.5acre LMB, YP, BG, RES, GSH, Seasonal Tilapia
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