OMG
I'm pretty much the mantis trapper for the St. Louis area. Know how I catch them? I put meaty foods in my hand and chase away fish and hermits with a stick. I put my hand near their den and hold it motionless. When I feel movement on my fingers, I just close my hand.
Funny story.....one of my buddies broke an expensive coffee table over a 2 inch N wennerae.

I nabbed it, pulled it out and he was so afraid of the little guy he tried to back up real quick and killed the coffee table. I can confirm that hitchhiking mantis can kill coffee tables, but I've been keeping them for years and have never lost a fish.