Although commercial crawfishermen use a slow-moving flat boat to harvest their catch from large wire cages, amateurs usually prefer the net method. The requirements are fairly simple: perhaps a dozen crawfish nets, one or two long poles, some bait, sunscreen and/or protective hats, a few hours of leisure time, and access to a flooded rice field or crawfish pond.
Typical crawfish nets are about 12 to 18 inches square and have 1/2 to 1 inch mesh openings. They are held open by 4 thick wires which resemble legs when unfolded. The net is usually baited with a large bloody piece of "melt" (semi-frozen beef pancreas) attached with a clothespin. Really, I am not making this up ... baiting crawfish nets is not a job for the squeamish!
The baited net is suspended from a long pole and placed in the water a few feet from the edge of the field or pond. A good technique is to tap the end of the pole against the top of the quad-leg frame to help the net settle as flat as possible in the shallow water. Thus, the crawfish cannot "cheat" by snacking from underneath the net to escape capture.
After the desired number of nets have been set out, there is a waiting period of ten minutes or longer (depending on individual patience). This lull in fishing activity is a good opportunity for conversation, refreshment, and outdoor appreciation. Children can explore and play along the levees, with close supervision in case they should tumble into the water or disturb a snake. Contrary to popular rumors, however, one seldom encounters alligators in the rice fields of south Louisiana.
When the crawfishing party decides it is time to check or "run" the nets, the long pole is extended to snag the top of the net frame and haul it up out of the water. With any luck, the net contains many good-sized crawfish which are quickly dumped into a waiting 5-gallon plastic bucket. Often, some crawfish fall back into the water from an overloaded net or miss the bucket opening and attempt to escape on land. Large specimens are usually intercepted on the ground by gently stepping on their claws (Cajuns do wear shoes or boots) to avoid human injury.
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