The silence of the night by the water, the smell of a fire and the expectation of a rich catch - this is how many people imagine ideal crayfish fishing. This type of fishing is radically different from the usual fishing, as it requires specific knowledge about the behavior of arthropods and their habitat. If you are planning to do catching crayfish from the shore, you will have to rebuild your biological rhythm, since the main activity of these creatures occurs in the dark.
The success of the event directly depends on the correct choice of location and time of year. Crayfish are creatures that are extremely demanding about the purity of water, so it makes no sense to look for them in swampy or polluted water bodies. The optimal water temperature for active crayfish fishing is from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, which usually corresponds to the period from late June to early September. It is at this time that the shell of the crayfish becomes quite hard, and the meat becomes as tasty and aromatic as possible.
To start the journey, a beginner will need a basic set of equipment, which can be assembled with your own hands or purchased at a specialized store. You shouldn’t hope for luck without preparation: even in a reservoir rich in crayfish, without the right tactics you can be left with nothing. It is important to understand that astyax (as scientists call crayfish) has an excellent sense of smell, but poor eyesight, which dictates special requirements for bait.
Choosing a place and time for fishing
Finding a promising location is the foundation of a successful hunt. Crayfish prefer to live on a rocky or clayey bottom, where they can easily find shelter in the form of stones, snags or holes in steep banks. Look for areas with varying depths where the water is saturated with oxygen. They can often be found in thickets of reeds or reeds, but only if the bottom there is hard. Crayfish rarely dig burrows in muddy bottoms, as they can quickly silt up.
The time of day plays a decisive role. During the day, crayfish hide in their shelters and go out hunting only after sunset. The peak of activity occurs between 23:00 and 03:00 am. In cloudy weather or during a thunderstorm, they may become active earlier. Experienced fishermen advise arriving at the reservoir before dark in order to calmly set up a camp and set up gear, and be ready for work by nightfall.
⚠️ Attention: Never leave installed gear unattended for a long time in crowded places. At night, there is a high risk of equipment being stolen or crayfish being caught by strangers while you are relaxing in a tent.
Seasonality is also important. In the spring, during the molting period, catching crayfish is prohibited or impractical, since their meat becomes jelly-like and their shell becomes soft. The summer months and early autumn are golden times for crayfishing. At this time crayfish traps work most effectively, and the bite is stable throughout the night.
Necessary gear and equipment
The main tool for fishing from the shore is crayfish. They are frame structures with a mesh, inside of which the bait is placed. There are many modifications, but for coastal fishing the most convenient are folding models that are easy to transport. The design needs to be current-resistant if you're fishing on a river, and heavy enough not to float up.
In addition to the traps themselves, you will need rope to tie the gear to a stake on the shore. The length of the rope should correspond to the depth of the reservoir plus a margin for easy removal. You also cannot do without a flashlight with a red light. The red spectrum is less frightening to crayfish and other nocturnal inhabitants of the reservoir, allowing you to come closer to the water's edge to check your gear.
☑️ Equipment for catching crayfish
To remove the catch from the water, it is convenient to use a special net with a long handle. It will allow you to get the crayfish trap without getting into the water up to your waist, which is especially important on cold nights. It is also worth taking care of a container for storing caught crayfish - this can be a plastic bucket of water or a special cage lowered into the water so that the trophies remain alive and fresh until the morning.
The best baits for crayfish
Crayfish are omnivores, but their gastronomic preferences change depending on the season and the availability of food. Fresh or slightly rotten fish is considered the most versatile and effective bait. Roach, crucian carp or perch are ideal. Many fishermen deliberately expose fish to the sun for several hours to enhance the smell, which attracts crayfish from a great distance.
Meat products are also popular. Chunks of beef, liver, or even chicken necks can make excellent bait. However, it is worth remembering that meat is quickly washed out in water and loses its smell, so it needs to be changed more often than fish. Garlic bread is a classic, but less effective bait that only works in water bodies with a high density of crayfish population.
Secret ingredient for bait
Some experienced crayfish fishermen add a little dill or anise oil to the bait. These aromas enhance the attractiveness of the fish or meat, making it noticeable to crayfish even in murky water. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to scare off the prey with too strong a chemical smell.
Bait plays an important role in keeping crayfish in the fishing zone. You can use cake mixed with clay and throw these balls around the installed crayfish traps. This will create a feeding spot where arthropods from all over the area will gather. Bait table must be located upstream from the gear so that the smell spreads specifically to it.
Technique for installing crayfish traps from the shore
The process of installing gear requires accuracy and adherence to a certain sequence of actions. First you need to secure one end of the rope to a peg driven into the bank. Then the bait is placed in the crayfish trap and secured so that it does not get dragged away by small fish or the current. After this, the tackle is smoothly lowered into the water.
It is important to install crayfish traps at a distance of 5-10 meters from each other. If you place them too close, the crayfish may simply crawl from one to another without stopping inside. In fast currents, you need to weigh down the tackle or use models with a larger mesh so that they don’t get carried away in a heap.
| Gear type | Installation depth | Distance between gears | Check time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round (umbrella) | 1.5 - 3 meters | 5 - 7 meters | Every 2 hours |
| Rectangular | 1.0 - 2.5 meters | 7 - 10 meters | Every 3 hours |
| Multi-pass | 2.0 - 4.0 meters | 10 - 15 meters | In the morning |
You should check your gear regularly, especially at the beginning of the night when the bite is most active. If a crayfish is caught in a trap, it may begin to fight with its fellows for the bait or try to get back out. Frequent checks help keep your catch intact and increase your total production for the night.
Use long-sleeved gloves when checking gear. Large crayfish have very powerful claws that can hurt the skin, and it is easy to get an infection in the water.
Night fishing tactics and safety
Catching crayfish at night is not only fun, but also an increased risk. The darkness hides not only prey, but also potential dangers: steep banks, snags, snakes and insects. Therefore, compliance with safety regulations is the number one priority. Always carry a first aid kit and insect repellent.
Clothing should be comfortable, waterproof and warm. Even in summer, nights near the water can be cold. Shoes - only with closed toes and good tread, so as not to twist your foot on slippery stones or clay. The flashlight must be in good working order, with spare batteries, since staying in the dark on an unknown shore is extremely dangerous.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to catch crayfish while intoxicated. The combination of darkness, water, gear and alcohol often leads to fatal accidents.
If you are fishing on a river with a strong current, be careful when setting up your gear. The current can wash away the shore under your feet. It is better to use a boat to set distant points, but only if you have experience operating a boat in the dark. It is not recommended to go out on a boat alone at night.
Rules for storing and transporting catch
Caught crayfish must be stored properly so that they do not fall asleep and spoil. The best way is to keep them in a cage submerged in water in a shady place. If this is not possible, you can use a plastic box or bucket, placing the crayfish with damp grass or nettles. This will allow them to remain alive for up to 24 hours.
When transporting home, it is important to provide air access. You cannot cover a container with crayfish with a lid - they will quickly die from suffocation. If you plan to carry your catch for several days, the crayfish should be periodically immersed in water to wash their gills, or the wet bedding should be constantly changed.
Crayfish survive out of water for up to two days only under conditions of high humidity and cool temperature. In the sun they die in a couple of hours.
Freezing live crayfish should not be done as this will stress them and release toxins, making the meat unsuitable for eating. Before cooking, crayfish must either be boiled alive or killed just before cooking. Storing boiled crayfish also has its own nuances: they must be eaten within 12 hours, otherwise they will quickly deteriorate.
Legal aspects and restrictions
Crayfish fishing is subject to fishing regulations, which may vary by region. In most cases, there are restrictions on the minimum size of crayfish caught. It is usually allowed to take individuals longer than 9-10 cm (from the middle of the eye to the end of the tail plates). The fines must be released back into the reservoir.
There are also prohibitions on fishing during the molting and breeding season. At this time, crayfish are most vulnerable, and catching them can cause serious damage to the reservoir population. In addition, the use of certain gear, such as crayfish with a mesh size below a certain size, may be prohibited.
⚠️ Attention: Fishing rules and catch rates may change. Before traveling, be sure to check the current regulations for your area to avoid fines and gear confiscation.
Compliance with these rules is not only a requirement of the law, but also concern for the future resource. Rational use of natural reserves allows you to enjoy your favorite hobby year after year. Remember that poaching harms the environment and deprives future generations of the opportunity to taste delicious crayfish meat.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to catch crayfish during the day?
During the day, crayfish hide in holes and under stones, so catching them is ineffective. However, in cloudy weather, in muddy water or in places with a lot of food, they can be active in the sun, but the catch will be significantly less than at night.
What is the best bait for crayfish?
The most effective bait is considered to be fresh or slightly rotten fish (roach, crucian carp). Meat, liver and chicken necks also work well. The choice depends on the specific body of water and the preferences of local crayfish.
How long should you keep the crayfish in the water?
The optimal check time is every 2-3 hours. If you hold the tackle for too long, the crayfish may eat the bait and leave, or they will start fighting among themselves, losing their claws. At night the check can be carried out less often, but in the morning it is necessary to check all the gear.
Why don't crayfish climb into the trap?
There may be several reasons: wrong place (no shelter, dirty bottom), lack of smell (old bait), noise on the shore or inappropriate time (day, molting period). Try changing the location or type of bait.
Do I need to boil crayfish immediately after catching?
Not necessarily right away, but keeping them alive for a long time is not recommended. It is best to cook them within 24 hours of catching. If this is not possible, provide them with a cool place and constant humidity, periodically dipping them in water.