When you set-up a trotline in deep water you will need to have two
weights to help hold the line in place. It will be up to you to
determine how deep you want to set the trotline. Normally, the trotline
will range between fifty to one hundred feet in length and can have
from twenty-five to fifty hooks per line. Many anglers believe that
using trotlines in deep water is not the best way to fish. Instead they
recommend jug fishing when in the deeper waters although, trotlines are
great for shallow to medium deep waters.
How to Fish Using Trotlines
Make sure you have the right equipment with you so you are prepared to
take care of the catfish you catch. You will need a net, a pair of
gloves, a knife and needle nose pliers. Always keep your bait handy and
ready to use. Once you have the trotline set-up you are ready to start
fishing. Never leave your trotline unattended for long periods of time.
It is important that you check your bait every four to six hours to put
on fresh bait. When checking your line start on the shallow end and
work your way across the line while keeping it in the water. When
re-baiting your hook make sure that any fish on the end of the line are
kept in the water to avoid them from flopping around to much and
possibly getting off the line. When taking the fish off the hook place
the net underneath him and them remove the hook. It is a good idea to
have someone with you to help out when checking the trotline.
Your location is one of the most important things to consider when
using trotlines. You also need to take into consideration what type of
catfish you intend to catch, which hooks to use and how heavy the
weights need to be. How far apart to space the hooks is also a decision
that you will need to make that will be determined by what type and
size of catfish you are after.
It is recommended that you find out in advance what the regulations are
for using a trotline in the state and waters in which you plan on
fishing. Some states have a limit on how long the trotline can be or
how many hooks can be used on each line. Some states require a certain
amount of spacing between each hook and some require that you place a
tag on the trotline with your name and address if you leave it
unattended for awhile.
To get the full "How To Catch Catfish With Trotlines" article you'll need to download it here.
