at what time should i check my crawfish traps?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Short answer: check crawfish traps at dawn and dusk. In early-fall heat (weather around 90°F with partly cloudy skies), bait spoils fast and crawfish tend to move more after dark, so a 12-hour check window is ideal. If you can swing it, check every 8–12 hours during hot spells to keep bait fresh and minimize drowned traps. If you only can check once a day, pick dawn when water is coolest and crayfish are most active.

Pro tips:
- Place traps near weed edges and cover; crayfish love shade and structure.
- Use strong bait (fish scraps, chicken necks) and replace every 1–2 days in heat; avoid letting bait rot.
- Don’t overfill traps; keep escape holes clear so small crawfish can leave and traps stay manageable.
- Handle crawfish gently; sort keepers from undersized and return anything too small.

Weather note: early fall conditions often bring warm days and cooler nights. With air temps around 90°F, water can stay warm and bait spoils faster. Align your checks with dawn or dusk to catch the most active crawfish in the cooler water window.

Quick resources:
- 🦞 How Crawfish Traps Work: [OqIS2W1LPls](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqIS2W1LPls)
- How to Catch Crawfish (UNDERWATER GoPro View!): [uNbGJrWC0e0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNbGJrWC0e0)
- How To Catch Crayfish Like A PRO!: [1Ettxst0cnQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ettxst0cnQ)

Gear ideas:
- Crawfish traps and bait options: [TRUSCEND Top Water Lures & More](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1FKL9Z?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- Lure kits for incidental catches: [TRUSCEND Fishing Lures Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6Q799C?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

Bottom line: adapt to the season and weather, stay flexible with your check times, and you’ll maximize your crawfish haul. You’ve got this! 🦞🌅

🎣 Time

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