Homemade Small Bait Fish Traps
- 1). Rinse a 2-L soda bottle to remove any remaining beverage. Leave the screwcap on top off of the bottle.
- 2). Measure 4 inches from the open end of the bottle. Cut the 2-L bottle with a sharp knife to remove the top. Lay the bottle on a work surface, and cut straight around with the knife.
- 3). Measure 1/2 inch up the side of the bottle from the bottom. Cut a slit with a knife to create a opening large enough so that a small diameter cord can be inserted. Turn the bottle, and cut a second slit 1/2 inch up the side from the bottom; it should be opposite the first hole.
- 4). Cut a 3-foot length of 1/8-inch diameter cord. Feed the cord through one hole and out the other. Tie the ends of the cord together to form a handle. The cord will double as a means of anchoring the trap.
- 5). Punch small holes around the sides of the 2-L bottle with a finish nail. Space the holes 1-to-2 inches apart around the side of the bottle. Punch enough holes to to allow water to flow through the trap, and carry the scent of the bait that will be placed inside.
- 6). Hold the section of bottle top removed previously. Turn it so that the small opening is toward the body of the bottle.
- 7). Place a rock in the bottle as a weight, along with corn or other bait for the minnows.
- 8). Insert the top of the bottle into the body of the bottle. Align the cut edge of the bottle top with the edge of the bottle body. Tear a length of waterproof marine tape, and secure the two edges together.
