| Abstrakt: |
The effects of water temperature and bait composition on harvestability of crawfish, "Procambarus" spp., baits were evaluated. Eleven experimental baits, a commercial bait, and gizzard shad, "Dorosoma cepedianum," were compared in six 2-ha experimental ponds. Baits were randomly placed into two-funnel stand-up traps two consecutive days each week for 15 weeks (240 trap-sets/bait). When the water was less than 7°C, catch was low, regardless of bait formulation, and shad was most effective. At 7.1-14°C, a significantly greater weight of crawfish per trap set were caught with shad than with formulated baits, except the bait containing 10% fish solubles and 25% menhaden meal. At 14.1-21°C, five of the experimental baits and the manufactured bait caught significantly (P < 0.05) more numbers of crawfish than did shad (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in weight of crawfish caught among six experimental baits, the commerical bait, and shad. Crawfish catch at 14.1-21°C increased with increasing amounts of menhaden meal and fish solubles in the bait. A 21.1-25°C, shad caught fewer numbers of crawfish than any other bait. Shad is more effective bait at water temperatures up to 14°C. Manufactured baits can be used at temperatures above 14°C. At water temperatures above 21°C, the amount of expensive attractants in baits can be reduced without sacrificing a loss in bait effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
