Crawdad Craze: A Simple Guide to Catching and Cooking Crawfish

Why you Need to Know How to Catch and Cook Crawfish

When it comes to survival, every skill counts. In the unpredictable process of life, you never know when your knowledge of catching and cooking something as simple as crawfish can save your life, or at least stave off an uncomfortable bout of hunger. Crawfish are rich in protein, widely available in many regions, and arguably one of the most overlooked resources for survival food.

Where to Find Crawfish

Looking for a place to hunt some crawfish? Your best bet will be calm freshwater sources like slow-moving rivers, ponds, or marshes. They prefer places with lots of hiding spots, hence muddy or clay bottoms with plenty of vegetation would increase your chances of getting a good catch.

Catching Crawfish

Preparation

• Equipment: All you need for this operation is a piece of protein like raw fish or meat, a string, and a bucket or bag to hold your catch.
• Setting up: Attach the protein to one end of the string and let it sink into the water. Crawfish are predators and scavengers, so when they smell the meat, they will shortly come to investigate.

The Hunt

Patience is the key here. Once a crawfish grabs on to the meat, slowly pull it towards the surface. Be careful not let them notice the abrupt movement, or they’ll let go and escape. As the crawfish rises to the surface, simply scoop it up with your free hand or a small net.

Cleaning and Cooking Crawfish

Cleaning

Once you’ve caught your crawfish, the next step is to clean them thoroughly. Rinse with fresh water while scrubbing off any visible dirt or crud. Don’t forget to remove the ‘vein’ along the tail – it’s the crawfish equivalent of a digestive tract and can harbor grit.

Cooking

Now that they are clean and ready, it’s time to cook your catch. You can boil, steam, or grill crawfish. Cooking them for about 5-7 minutes after the water starts boiling or until they turn bright red and start to float are indications that they’re done.

Danger!

One critical thing to remember – NEVER consume a dead uncooked crawfish. Shellfish like crawfish can harbor bacteria that proliferate after the creature’s death and can be harmful if consumed.

Stay Prepared

Learning how to catch and cook crawfish is an important survival skill. It’s not just about the survival situation – it’s about being proactive and self-sufficient in the face of adversity. Keep honing your survival skills, and be ready to face anything that life throws your way.