The redclaw crayfish equation BRISBANE
Peter Jung
As someone who enjoyed fishing for blueclaw crayfish or yabbies for the first 25 years of my life (generally with a piece of meat on a string and a butterfly net) I have been fascinated by the northern version, the redclaw, since moving to
South East Queensland. This fascination has been tempered though, as finding out information about how to catch them (meat and string will not work), is generally vague and a little confusing. I will say here and now that this article will not provide all the answers, but it will give you an insight into what has led to me catching more of these tasty crustaceans.
RULES AND REGULATIONS In Queensland there are strict rules regarding catching redclaw crayfish in their natural range, which is far North Queensland. However, outside of this natural range, possession limits etc are removed – in fact, you legally cannot return a redclaw to the water outside of its natural range – and only rules
based around the equipment used are in place. Check the rules at www.daf.qld. gov.au or get your hands on a current Queensland Recreational Boating & Fishing Guide. The basics are: four pots per person, pots must be labelled with your name and address, the float attached to your rope must be solid, at least 15cm in diameter, it must be round and light in colour. This float must also have your name on it. If fishing from the shore your rope must be tied to a solid object. WHERE YOU WILL FIND THEM? Most of the impoundments and some waterways from the Queensland border up to the northern extremes hold redclaw crayfish. Outside of the northern natural
Stephen Booth showing that kids of all ages enjoy their redclaw fishing.
Somerset Dam, like many impoundments in Queensland, has plenty of redclaw in it.
Next Generation, Australian Made, Soft Plastic Lures.
This is what you like to see when you lift your pot after an overnight soak.
range, they have been translocated by humans and are considered an invasive species. This explains the ‘no return to the water’ rules in place below the Normandy River basin in the north of the state. TIME TO CATCH A FEW Unlike the yabbies I was used to catching in our local dams down south, redclaw do not seem to be very active during the day, and therefore a piece of meat on a string is very unlikely to work. A bait trap or opera house pot is the preferred method, with an overnight soak your best option for success. BAITS What I have found most interesting when trying to find out about redclaw is what baits to use in your pots. I have been told everything from soap, various fruits (rockmelon was the most
Made with Passion. Made for Anglers. Why buy Jigging Lures? Our soft plastic lures are designed to be more effective in catching fish.
Why? Our Jigging Lures next generation soft plastic lures, feel more natural and realistic to a striking fish and in turn, increases the odds of the fish mouthing the lure. Jigging Lures soft plastic lures are practical and can be fished in any depth of water and can manage any retrieval speed. The range of colours designed by Jigging Lures are specific to weather and water conditions and as a result, offer the angler choices best suited to the surroundings.
www.jigginglures.com.au 12
OCTOBER 2021
There are many bait options when it comes to chasing redclaw, however the author has found dry cat or dog food has resulted in his best captures.
