How different are they from catching dead prawns 

(sorry couldnt resist)

Where in the southwest?

A few years ago the old man and I used to walk the flats near Coodanup in the Peel estury.

started off with a Kero powered hurracane lamp but then progressed to using battery powered underwater lamps.

There are lots of better options around now.

For the net we had flat bottomed dab nets with a long net sock, if you are quick you can get 2 or 3 in the net before you have to put them in the bucket.

Used to tow a large bucket in an inner tupe. Make sure you have some type of lid or mesh over the top or your prawns will jump out.

The old man used to have a 6 prong flat gidgie on the other end of the net in case we saw a cobbler or 2.

I would cary a crab scoop net on my bucket set up.

Technique was to spot the prawn, get close enough to put the net behind it then either put your foot infront of it or have your off sider move his net towards yours. prawn goes in the net and lift straight up.

make sure you wear good shoes and watch out for holes, Old man went from thigh deep to neck deep one nite when he stepped into an old 44 gal drum that had been dumped.

If it's too windy we used to get a few right in the centre of Mandurah

The Wonnerup Estuary near the cut usually has some prawns and also the drains where they enter the ocean are worth a try. We've caught pinkies that are full of prawns but thats around Oct. so they'll be in the ocean at that time of year. My fav. spot is where the Scott River enters the Blackwood River and if you set up a lamp on a stake and on a sandy bottom you'll get bucket loads.