"Terry Bullard" wrote in message
Hi Bob,
I sell thousands of crayfish traps annually across the nation and a
fairly
large percentage of these traps are sold to bass fisherman not only for
bait
but many have bass ponds and like to give their bass a treat now and then.
Using crawfish for bait is not falling out of favor with fisherman but
strict
regulations in the use of crawfish for bait is in effect in many states
and
will be in effect in all states shortly. Fish and Game Departments are
becoming
very concerned with a new species of crawfish to the USA, the Rusty. It is
a
very aggressive and large crawfish which is destroying game fish lakes.
Just in
the last 20 years this invasive species has made it's way from Arizona to
the
Great Lakes creating huge populations eating everything in their path,
plants,
eggs, fry, anything they can catch. Fisherman are blamed for the primary
spread
of these nasty critters. This is the reason for the restrictions not the
lack
of favor by fisherman, grin. I sell a lot of traps to Fish and Game
Departments
in many states as well and the information I stated above comes from them
not
me. Crawfish are a real problem to fisherman unless of course you like
eating
freshwater lobsters. Anyhow, that is the real deal.

Rusty crayfish had decimated lakes in northern Wisconsin back in the mid
80's. Just now, some of the lakes weedbeds are recovering, some still
haven't. That's the reason why crayfish are not allowed for use as bait any
longer in this state.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com