Jug Fishing for Cats

Of all of the numerous tried and true methods forCommercially manufactured products are also
hauling in a big catfish, jug fishing, or "juggin'" isavailable for jug fishing, many of which are
one of the most popular among seasonedsmaller, lighter and easier to manage than the
catfishermen. Jug fishing's simple approach andconventional standbys. Admittedly, 20 bleach
high return, combined with the low cost of thebottles in your boat takes up a lot of space. It
materials needed to make a jug fishing rig, makeshould be noted, too, that many jurisdictions have
it popular among a great many anglersregulations on the types of fish than can be
everywhere, both for sport, and for commercialjugfished for, the design of the rig, and the color
fisheries, too. Jug fishing's main advantage is thatof the jug - usually, white is the rule. Check your
it can be carried on, unattended, leaving thelocal regs, though, before setting out on a jug
fisherman free to set more jug lines, or tend thefishing expedition, or any fishing trip, to make
ones that are taking fish. Also, free-floating jugscertain you are fishing legally.
can cover a great deal of water area. As a result,To build the rig, you will need to make a couple of
jug fishing is usually highly productive, and a greatdecisions regarding the length of the jug line.
way for families or groups to engage in catfishing,Ideally, you want the jug line to float freely, but
especially if kids or beginners are involved.the deepest end of the rig should be close to the
Jug fishing is best practiced in mild-current rivers,bottom, maybe two to three feet above it. If
and pond or lake conditions, as too fast of ayou don't know how long to run your lines, try
current will take the jugs away quickly, makingmaking a few of different lengths, and setting
their retrieval difficult.them out across your fishing area - some will get
The basic strategy of jug fishing is simple - set upmore attention than others. Having decided on the
a series of jug fishing rigs, float them out over alength of the lines to run, cut your jug lines
wide area of water, possibly with different baits,accordingly. Fasten one end of a line to the neck
slung at different depths, and see what comesof the jug, or to the fastening point, on a
calling. Then, after you get a bite, if you're reallycommercial product. On the other end, tie a
keen, you can bring in the non-producing jug rigs,reasonable weight, enough to keep the line down,
and re-set them with the successful bait andbut not so much that it overly tensions the line,
depth combination, which will then keep you veryor over-weights the jug.
busy hauling in fish.Now, tie two hooks on each jug line, one, about a
Building a jug fishing rig is simple. To make one,foot or two above the weight, and one, maybe
you will need some sort of powerful float (thesix feet above the weight - Palomar knots work
jug), a length of heavy trot line, a couple ofwell for this. This system puts two hooks in the
hooks, a weight, and your favourite bait.water, lays twice the bait out, and sets baits at
First, a word on jugs. As the name implies, thediffering depths, to cover as many bases as
original floats used in this technique were, andpossible. Further, if the line floats into shallower
often still are, empty jugs of some description.water, while the sinker and one bait may end up
Pop bottles, bleach bottles, or any empty, sealedout of commission, the higher hook will usually still
container will do. Plastic containers are best, duebe in a position to get a bite.
to lower weight and greater durability than glass.