| There are a variety of methods used for catching | | | | that has a channel running down the middle of it, |
| Catfish. It all depends on how you prefer to fish. | | | | tie one end of the trotline to a tree or a stump |
| We'll go into several tried and true methods. | | | | on one side of the channel, carefully unroll the |
| We'll start with trotlining. First you need to make | | | | trotline and when you reach the other side tie the |
| sure it is even legal in your state to run a trotline. | | | | end to another tree or stump. Make sure to leave |
| You can either build your own trotline or buy a | | | | enough loose line that the trotline will sink down |
| ready made one at your favorite fishing supply | | | | close to the bottom. Double check your knots! |
| store. Most of the ready made ones are fairly | | | | You could end up with 25 fish on this line and they |
| inexpensive, running about $8.00, they already | | | | are not going to just meekly sit there and wait |
| have the hooks tied on and it's pretty much | | | | for your return, they will be thrashing and twisting |
| ready to go. You may want to go with the pre | | | | and doing whatever they can to escape and you |
| made one until you decide if you are going to like | | | | don't want your trotline to come untied. |
| trotlining. | | | | Once you have your trotline secured, it's time to |
| If you're going for the lunker cat, it's better to | | | | bait the hooks. Your best bet for bait will be live |
| either build your own with heavier line or buy a | | | | bait like shad, minnows, nightcrawlers and small |
| more expensive pre made one. If you do decide | | | | crawdads. After you've got the hooks baited, |
| to build your own, you will be working with a 150 | | | | attach your floats to the trotline at about 20 feet |
| foot line and 25 hooks. Check your state laws | | | | from each end then take some good heavy |
| regarding the length and the spacing of the hooks. | | | | twine or nylon rope and thread it through the eye |
| Once you've checked your state laws and have | | | | of the hook on your weight and attach it securely |
| your trotline, you will need to buy or make a | | | | to the middle of the trotline and let it sink. |
| weight. A good cheap weight can be made by | | | | You should check your trotline, at the very |
| filling a coffee can with cement and a large steel | | | | minimum, every 12 hours. Don't leave it sitting for |
| eye bolt that you can buy at the local big box | | | | longer than that if you don't want to come back |
| home improvement store for about $4.00. This | | | | to a whole line of dead fish. Again, be careful |
| works great. You will also need floats, for those | | | | pulling the trotline up, you do not want to hook |
| you can use store bought floats or save some | | | | yourself! I've seen inexperienced trotliners end up |
| money and use empty gallon milk cartons with | | | | with hooks in some very bad places that we |
| the lids screwed on tight. | | | | won't even mention here. You do not want that, |
| Now you're ready to set your trotline. Pick a spot | | | | so use caution. |