A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Anyone know a place to buy crayfish around Gainesville?

I'd like to get some native crayfish ( like the ones used for bait) to help with solids in a couple of barrels....but it seems all the local live bait shops went bye bye. Any suggestions as to type , or help on a live bait store near Gainesville/Waldo would be greatly appreciated . Not looking for a pile of them, maybe a dozen or so.

Thanks

Steve

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by George on June 12, 2012 at 5:43am

If all else fails, buy a minnow trap and trap them if you have access to running water, a creek or small river. You'll need a fresh water fishing license. Fresh fish works for bait but if that's not convenient, try dry dog or cat food. Set the funnel just underneath beneath the water and they're active at night.

I guess you've considered red claws?

For handling solids, I've read about gramarious (s) - some critter used for handling solids, You might want to check that out if you haven't. Crawfish, in my experience, like a better class of food than fish waste.

Permalink Reply by Dan Ponton on June 12, 2012 at 5:53am

Petco in Gainesville has crayfish, however I don't remember the cost. You can always call them.

Permalink Reply by Steve Bradbury on June 12, 2012 at 9:48pm

Thanks for replying George and Dan...

On the redclaws, yup, sure have, and would love to...........but after calling fisheries to find out what was needed for permitting....well. lets just say that curbed my enthusiasm considerably. Also, at the time, they would only issue permits for commercial (for sale) operations, none for home use, casual sales.

Used to could just trap some crawdads out in my pond, but its gone dry (16' deep) We used to catch those guys for fishbait when I was a kid by turning over rocks on a creek bed or lake bank.......no rocks in this part of Fl

Prolly check out Petco and see what they have for how much.......

Take care ya'll

Permalink Reply by M D Fowler on June 12, 2012 at 10:34pm

Aquatropics, Southwest 34th Street, Gainesville, FL sells them as feeders. i dont remember the price but i think it was around $1.50 a piece

i remember turning over rocks for them also

Permalink Reply by Rik on June 17, 2012 at 9:04am

i think Park's Place is the last bait shop in town (shame actually). they're on 39th ave east of 6th street just before the railroad tracks.

i've you're still of the mindset to get some yourself, i've had great luck hand picking them from the creeks at 34th and university (just below the dam) and on the south side watershed by williston road and 13th. head east on williston road a bit just past what used to be the fwc location. it's marked by the sewer location.