How to Make a Fish Trap with a Bottle | 12 Easy Steps

Why do you need to learn how to make a fish trap out of a plastic bottle? Because apart from saving the environment, it’s also a simple yet effective way to catch fish.

Check out this easy step-by-step guide and start fishing in no time.

RELATED: How To Catch A Fish Without a Fishing Pole

How to Make a Fish Trap Using Recycled Bottles

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What You Need:

Tools:

• knife
• soldering iron

Materials:

• plastic bottles
• fishing line or string
• magic marker
• 220 sandpaper
• zip ties
• small rocks
• bait (worm, grasshopper, etc.)

Step 1: Clean the Bottle

Uncap the bottle and discard its content. Remove the plastic label.

Make sure to dispose of the cap, label, and content properly. Wash the bottle to remove excess dirt.

Let it dry for a few minutes.

Note: Make sure that the bottle is big enough. Its mouth should allow accommodating the size of your prospect catch.

Step 2: Mark the Bottle

You can skip this step. But if you want to do a neat cutting job, use a magic marker.

Using the marker, draw a straight line around the bottle. Start at the base below the cone area.

The position of the line will depend on the shape and size of the bottle.

Step 3: Cut the Bottle in Half

Using your knife, pierce a section of the marker line. Once the knife is in, slowly cut the bottle in two around this line.

Do the process as neat as you can. This will help in sealing your trap more efficiently.

Pro Tip: The ideal knife to use for this job has a corrugated edge that cuts around plastic better.

Step 4: Smoothen the Edges

Using 220-grit sandpaper, smoothen the rough edges of the sliced bottle. Continue the process until the edges of the bottle are even.

This is optional though. But if you want to ensure that the pieces fit together fine, this would make a difference.

Note: You can use a file if sandpaper is not available.

Step 5: Fit the Funnel to the Body

Get the top section of the sliced bottle. Flip it over and insert it to the bottom half.

The top section should fit perfectly to the bottom part of the bottle. If not, you can make some adjustments on the edges using a file or sandpaper.

Step 6: Punch Holes into the Trap

Once the funnel and the body are test-fitted, prepare your soldering iron. When it’s hot enough, punch four holes through the trap body and funnel.

Do it right near the trap mouth’s edge. Make sure that you punch one hole on each side.

Note: Soldering iron creates a clean finish. But in case you don’t have one, a power drill or even an icepick would do.

RELATED: Survival Fishing | Unconventional Methods To Catch Fish

Step 7: Attach the Funnel to the Body

Push the head of the funnel into the trap body. After a good sanding job, each part will fit perfectly together.

The holes you punched on earlier will be your guide for proper alignment. This will ensure that the trap is tight and not likely to move apart once the fish is inside.

Step 8: Assemble the Trap

With the zip ties, secure the bottle fish trap together. Insert the zip ties through the hole.

Put the zip tie tongue through its head and pull until it’s secure enough. Repeat the same procedure for all the holes.

When you’re done with every hole, cut the excess zip tie tails.

Step 9: Make It Stable

Your fish trap is useless if it won’t sink at the bottom of the water. To ensure this, insert a few small rocks inside the trap.

This will help anchor the trap below the water’s surface. Without doing this, the current could easily wash your trap away.

Step 10: Insert the Bait

First, fill the trap with water. Then insert the bait.

There are various types of bait that you could use. This will depend on the fish you plan to catch.

You can use worms, grasshoppers, flies as well as an assortment of bugs. Once the fish spots the bait, it will sample it then proceed to enter the cone.

Step 11: Secure the Trap

Your trap is now ready to go. But there’s one more detail to make it fully functional.

You will need to secure your trap. This allows you to put it anywhere you want it to.

Tying a string or fishing line around the trap’s neck will do the trick. Tie the other end of the string to a tree or any stable structure to secure the trap.

Step 12: Set the Trap

Now you are good to go. The only thing left to do is pinpoint the best location to set your trap.

The ideal spot to set it is in shallow water with weak current flow. It is also important that the bank has enough vegetation or rocks to tie your trap on.

Here’s an infographic guide that you can use. Feel free to download, save and share it with your loved ones:

Important Things to Consider When Using Fish Traps:

• What Type of Fish to Catch?

The size of your trap will depend on the type of fish you plan to catch. Bigger fish requires bigger traps and vice versa.

• What Type of Bait to Use?

There are specific baits that are suitable for different types of fish. A catfish, for instance, may require special baits so do your research.

• Where is the Best Location to Fish?

Again, it will depend on the species of fish you aim to catch. By and large, fish traps are suitable for shallow water fishing.

• Is a Fish Trap Illegal?

The legality of using fish traps varies depending on where you are. It is best to check with local wildlife authorities before fishing in a particular area.

Now that you know how to make a fish trap out of bottles, a few words of advice. A simple hack is to set more traps that will increase your chances of getting better results. Patience is key!

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Do you know of any other ways on how to make a fish trap? Please share with us in the comments section below.

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