Combatting The Crays

Dave has a few tricks to counter one of the worst nuisances out there.

It was on a trip to France last November that I was reminded of what a pain it can be fishing a lake with crayfish in and how easily you can be put off. But if you use the correct tackle and baiting situation they are really quite easy to overcome.

Firstly I’ll talk about the baits they seem to love and some they rarely touch, although this is not an exact science, because if a lake is infested with crayfish they will pretty much eat anything, including the small fish, the putty off your pop-up rig, etc. A few years back while fishing a water in the UK that contained loads of crayfish I baited the margins with a few different types of baits in two feet of water and it was easy to make out what they really do want to eat over other food items.

Anything remotely meaty, fishy or even with a savoury content to the flavour is right up their street. Use a meaty smelling bait and the crays will be queuing on your baited spot like drunks at a kebab shop! I’ve found they don’t like fruity or creamy baits so much, such as pineapple and the Cell. Particles are also low on their list of likes, so hemp and sweetcorn are favourites of mine on waters containing crays, as I know I’m still going to have a baited spot.

HOOKBAITS