1. Has anyone seen or conducted a study regarding mortality from traps like the Z Trap. If so please share your results.
I never leave my trap in more than 2 hours and the fish still beat themselves up in it. The large BG and RES was trapped in an open area with no cover. The small BG was trapped in the shade with brush nearby in the water.
2. Can anyone recommend a trap or pattern to make a trap that does not cause this type of damage?
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.
It was one we picked up from Cabelas. Not a bad trap and pretty inexpensive. Looks very similar to: Minnow Trap
My preference is coated wire mesh for sure as there are many less sharp edges of the traps I have used. Trying to find one with holes small enough for the desired fish not to swim out of it is half the battle.
I am no pro though. Pretty good about trapping TP but my efforts on finding BG have been pretty unsuccesful.
