Page 38 - Modern Fishing

ALL ROUND ANGLER

with Shane Murton

In many states if
you catch yabbies
‘in berry’ they
must be returned
to the water
A mass of yabbies

Marron are a large
freshwater crayfi sh that
GEAR & BAIT STORE & COOK taste great and grow to
impressive sizes
There’s a range of ways to get your yabby meal, Like with any crustacean keep your catch cool
and regulations do vary considerably between and out of direct sun after capture to prevent
states in terms of the traps allowed to be used them dying. I like to use a large tub or esky
and the number of devices permissible etc. with a small amount of water in it initially.
Please check your local fisheries website and When you’ve caught enough for a meal it’s time
confirm details before venturing to the fresh. to purge your catch to remove any unwanted
Speaking generally, hoop or drop nets are mud and organic matter from your catch.
highly popular when you’re staying on location Place your yabbies or other freshwater crays
and looking to regularly pull up your traps. into clear water in a tub or esky and give them
These are basically a fine mesh net with a sufficient time to purge themselves out. You’re
single or double hoop and when the yabbies are now ready to cook your catch.
on the crawl setting these for 20 minutes or so Yabbies and marron and other freshwater
at a time and checking them continuously can crayfish make for top tucker and can be eaten
soon result in a mountain of flapping fun in in a variety of ways, from boiling, frying to
your esky. grilling. Yabby tails can be eaten on their own
A range of ‘set’ traps can also be used in with a dipping sauce, through to used in more
certain states, from various collapsible models, elaborate recipes such as pasta dishes or even
to fixed mesh traps. If you want numbers on top of pizzas - the choice is yours!
these are the way to do it, as the yabbies can’t
go anywhere once in the trap and they will
continue to catch for you as long as they’re
left in the water and the bait lasts. Rules
surrounding set or overnight traps tend to be
a little more stringent, so brush up before you
bomb a waterway with pots.
At its simplest you can lob out a chunk of
fish or meat on a piece of fishing line and wait
for a yabby to latch on. Then slowly retrieve
the string and get the net ready to scoop him
up. This is hunting and collecting at its most
fundamental best, and is a great way to get
your kids to connect with nature and the
fishing lifestyle (plus chip in a few handy pot
fillers!).
Baits for yabbies are anything with plenty
of smell with fish and meat probably the
standouts. Avoid using anything that may
Big private
pollute the waterway such as soap.
water yabbies -
fun for all ages!
38 www.modernfishing.com.au