BL Workshop

Make your own minnow trap

By Oliver Shapiro

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 141 comments about “Make your own minnow trap”

Comment page:   « 15 [14] 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 … 1 »

1. 131 - fishing owns says:
   August 6th, 2008 at 11:22 pm

   this works great for the pond behind my house there are always small cat fish crappie and alot of small bass now i no what to catch them with lol i came home with dinner last night

2. 130 - KT says:
   August 5th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

   I didnt know if it was suppose to float or not the bottle wouldnt sink so idk yet

3. 129 - Minnow assasin says:
   August 4th, 2008 at 11:24 am

   Don’t discard the bottom half of Bottle B use it to make your trap longer and u catch more minnows

   But the trap is awsome it saves me so much $$$

4. 128 - fisherchamp says:
   August 3rd, 2008 at 1:18 pm

   i used it once, cought 50 minnows in 12 hrs! i used one as bait and got a huge catfish

5. 127 - bassfisher888 says:
   July 29th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

   this trap is geniuus! iv been looking for a place to buy one, but then i found this!t works just as well! thanks!

6. 126 - lobstahboy says:
   July 26th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

   i made mine a few days ago but havent gaught any yet

7. 125 - ausman08 says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

   I made one out of a apple jeg im ganna set it tonight

8. 124 - donut says:
   July 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm

   i am going to try it with some crawdads and minnows i hope it will work i love this

9. 123 - someone says:
   July 18th, 2008 at 12:41 am

   most i caught at 1ce was 30 in the 2 letur but the wer huge too

10. 122 - MICK says:
    July 17th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

    Sounds cool! I think it will work.

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