BL Workshop
Make your own minnow trap
Click here for a PDF version of these instructions.
You’re ready for fishing. You’ve got everything … but bait. And no cash to buy any. Well, forget throwing money at minnows. Gather your own! It’s simple with this easy-to make trap. Here’s how:
You’ll Need:
- Two plastic soda pop bottles. The three-liter size is best, but two-liter will do.
- One woodworking nail, about 6-penny size (the exact size is unimportant).
- Some twine, kite string or something similar.
- Adult permission and/or help.
For tools, scrounge up a pair of sturdy scissors and locking pliers (such as Vise-Grip) or common slip-joint pliers. A utility knife can help with initial cuts but isn’t necessary. You’ll also need a controllable flame source — the kitchen stove is perfect.
STEP 1: Label one bottle “A” and the other “B.” Cut off the bottom one-third of bottle A and put in your home recycling bin. Leave the bottle cap on.
STEP 2: On B, cut off the neck & shoulders, close to the top of the bottle label. It should be cut just below — maybe a half inch or so — where the sides begin to straighten out. Toss the bottom and spare bottle cap in the recycling bin.
STEP 3: The remaining steps should be done near your flame source, with the pliers and nail handy. Keep a bowl with cold water nearby also. Fit funnelshaped piece (B) into the bottom of A so it points toward A’s remaining bottle cap. It should now form a nice little “cave.”
STEP 4: Holding the two bottles together firmly in your weak hand (left hand if you’re right-handed, right if you’re left-handed), turn on the flame with the other hand. Pick up the pliers with your free hand and firmly grasp the nail near its head with the pliers. Carefully hold the nail over the flame so that it gets good and hot.
STEP 5: Keeping your grip on both the A and B bottle parts and the hot nail in the pliers, push the nail point through both the funnel and bottle, in 10 to 12 spots around the lip of the “cave” that we mentioned. Drop the hot nail into the cold water.
STEP 6: Using your string or twine, sew the two bottle parts together. Alternately, simply cut the string into short pieces, using the same number of pieces as there are holes, and individually tie each hole up so that the two plastic parts A and B don’t come apart.
STEP 7: Reheat the nail as in Step 4, and put a bunch of holes all over the sides of the bottle (A). A couple of dozen should do it.
Setting Your Minnow Trap
To use your trap, add some bread or cracker bits through the funnel (B). Sink the trap in your favorite pond or lake for a few hours, preferably overnight. Tie it securely to a dock or tree. The minnows will go in the trap but aren’t smart enough to get out. Next morning, simply open the bottle cap and pour the minnows into your bait bucket. You’re all set for a day of fishing!
Read 132 comments about “Make your own minnow trap”
Comment page: « 14 [13] 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 … 1 »
Comment page: « 14 [13] 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 … 1 »
Why did the microwave burn some of the chocolate and leave some of it cold?
Your friend turns on the faucet and gets sprayed with water.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Sounds cool! I think it will work.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:54 am
alight make a real 1 i made 1 with steel wire it can catch up to 100
July 8th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
looks good
July 6th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
i think is cool and easy to like about it . it seams to be good but dosnut cach aloot of minos for me and i think it is a nice cheap way to do it easly and cheaplyalso i like how i dont have to spend lots of mony four the trap becase it just like i got the stuff do it with and i never thout to do this its a nice trap and wrks umm ok for being free and stuff
July 5th, 2008 at 11:33 am
nice i will try it soon!
July 5th, 2008 at 8:32 am
this works good. i caught 17 minnows in 3 hours
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 am
i have not tried it yet but it sounds impressive and sooo easy to make. other sites say that using only 1 soda bottle works better but i doubt that.
ill try a bigger one by using a five gallon bucket with some plastic as a cover/funnel
June 30th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
mine worked great i caught 9 minnows 2 tadpoles and a crawdad in 20 min
June 29th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
will it work with smaller bottles???
June 27th, 2008 at 10:13 am
sounds good ill try it