Going fishing for snapping turtles, need tips

[steveforopen]

Anyone have any good tips/techniques?

First time I've tried it, need good suggestions on the best places to find 'em and the best ways to catch 'em

[Damage control]

Dig a hole dump ashes in it, dump pee's around the hole. When the turtle comes to takes a pee, kick him in the ash hole!




DC

[brian]

farm ponds are full of them. chicken gizards work wonders. heavy line, huge hooks, and a stake in the ground, come back in the morning.

pm me, and i'll give you my addy so you can send me some soup.

[knight0334]

We use heavy line, something like 1/8" diameter fishing/net line with a large barbed hook. Bait is usually some raw chicken or roadkill.



Use about 5-20ft of string, depending on area depth, you tie it to a 1gal milk jug as a bobber. Then just throw the whole thing out as far as you can, well - depending on if you have a boat to retrieve the hooks later.


Allow a day or two before checking. All you have to do is watch the jugs move across the water.

[LastManOut]

Don't go in the water to fish for them naked.

[knighthawk06699]

I have always found that cut bait works perfect for turtles, Something that really bleeds like sucker fish if you can find some.

[reels18]

Keep your fingers away from their mouths

[zzeiber]

If you're going to be fishing with a pole, use a medium heavy pole with 30lb braided line. I perfer Power Pro line. Chicken gizzards or chicken liver work well, that's been my experience while fishing for catfish and accidently catching a small boulder with legs.

[knighthawk06699]

Originally Posted by zzeiber

If you're going to be fishing with a pole, use a medium heavy pole with 30lb braided line. I perfer Power Pro line. Chicken gizzards or chicken liver work well, that's been my experience while fishing for catfish and accidently catching a small boulder with legs.

yep been there done that I used Stren 20lb test catfish line with a steel leader. Pulled in a big old fatty. He was none to pleased to see me but oh well.

[Exbiker]

Remember the claws are nasty too. The head of a snapper can stretch half way back the shell so don`t pick them up like a box turtle. I pick using the end of the tail.
There`s not much meat so it takes a bunch to make a pot of soup.