New and Improved 5 Gallon Bucket Fish Trap
There’s always room for improvement when it comes to making fishing more efficient and productive. This is especially true when finding new trap designs. Let’s take a look at one that is easy to make and utilize in the field, and it can be constructed in just a few minutes.
To get started, you need a 5 gallon bucket and lid, some ½ diameter thin wire mesh, screen or hardware cloth, a drill and ¼ inch bit, some paracord and some zip ties. Wire cutters and a dremel will also come in handy. However, if you don’t have access to these items, you can easily modify this trap based on your needs and preferences as well.
The first step is to drill some holes throughout the bottom of the bucket in order to allow water to pass through. You can also drill a series of holes along the sides to improve water movement as well. This will keep the bucket submerged and provide oxygenated water for the trapped fish, crab or crayfish until they are harvested. ¼ inch diameter holes work well because they are big enough to provide for water movement while also small enough to keep the creatures in the trap.
The next step is to cut out the center of the lid so that an inch wide lip remains along the edge. This will produce enough structural stability to keep the lid in place while also allowing you to rig the rest of the trap. Next, poke holes about an inch apart along the edge of the lip. Some lids already have grooves in them, and using one of these will make the assembly less time-consuming. You will use these holes to attach the wire mesh with zip ties.
To cut the mesh, you want to ensure that you have enough to cover the size of the hole while making it about 9-12 inches deep. This will provide enough material to serve as the entry gate into the trap while allowing it to close up and prevent the fish from escaping. Calculate the circumference of the hole that you’ve made in the lid by multiplying the diameter by Pi, or 3.14.
The idea is to attach the mesh to the edge of the lid while also having enough to fashion the material into a conical shape that is about an inch in diameter inside of the bucket. It will take a little bit of manipulating and trial and error to get things just right. Place some zip ties along some of the seams to secure everything in place. Snip the excess plastic on the ties so all that remains is the clasp and lock.
Keep in mind that you will need to adjust the diameter of the smaller hole in order to account for the size of the fish that you are intending to catch. You also want to make sure that any sharp edges or barbs along the wire are facing downward. This will help to minimize the risk of getting jabbed or poked, and it will also help to keep the fish trapped in the bucket.
All that you need to do now is attach the paracord to the handle of the bucket, or drill a couple of side-holes along the top edge to secure it in place. Secure the trap by tying it to a tree or post near to your favorite fishing spot, add some bait and wait for the fish to come. Check every few hours and remove fish as they become available.
You will be amazed at the effectiveness of this trap, and feel free to be creative and make some modifications as necessary.
