The following steps serve as a great baseline to properly setup your trotline:
- Identify solid anchor points to tie the trotline to on each side of the body of water you’re fishing. ...
- Tie each end of the trotline to the identified anchor points.
- Begin on any side of the trotline and place your drop lines on the main line and bait each hook as you assemble the drop lines. ...
How do you set up a floating trotline for fishing?
Setting a Floating Trotline Sometimes you won’t have a bank or tree to set your trotline, so you’ll need to deploy it directly in the water with weighted anchors resting on the river bottom. One one end of the trotline, place an anchor. Depending on the depth of your river, you’ll need to run a line with a float.
How do you anchor a trotline in a river?
One one end of the trotline, place an anchor. Depending on the depth of your river, you’ll need to run a line with a float. From the float will be a certain distance before your dropper lines are located.
What do you put on a trotline in a river?
You’ll want to attach floats to each end of the trotline to keep the line from touching the bottom of the river. The float that’s on the bank end will typically rest on the surface of the water and is a visual marker for your line.
How do you set a crab trotline?
Setting a crab trotline is a bit different from the standard catfish trotline. To deploy, drop the anchor of one end off your boat and let it hit bottom. Then slowly move your boat in the direction you want to deploy your line and use a trot prop stick or holder to keep the line moving without you having to do it yourself physically.
How do you run a trot line in a lake?
0:482:00How To Set A Trotline - Mossy Oak University - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRun them through your swivels cinch them on and I like the bait as I'm putting my hooks on. So I'llMoreRun them through your swivels cinch them on and I like the bait as I'm putting my hooks on. So I'll go across through there and I'll bait. And I'll usually put three to four weights.
Where do you put a trotline in a lake?
Trotlines should be set where there is some kind of current. A gentle lake current, such as an inlet stream, the fork where two streams or rivers come together, and gentle river eddies are all perfect trotline areas. Trotlines should never be set where state regulations make them illegal.
How do you anchor a trotline?
0:445:19how to make A LONG rope ANCHOR LINE TROTLINE !!!!! LonglineYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo perhaps tie the tongue back you know here or perhaps. Around here so basically it sends the chumMoreSo perhaps tie the tongue back you know here or perhaps. Around here so basically it sends the chum sent.
How do you make a floating trotline?
3:006:46How To Make A Modified Trotline (Trolley Fishing) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI've taken this five pound weight and then I added this little clip on there that's all I've doneMoreI've taken this five pound weight and then I added this little clip on there that's all I've done one important thing is make sure you have enough length from your weight to your first hook.
How often should you check a trotline?
To really run trotlines right you should check them every two hours throughout the night. That way you'll catch a lot more fish by keeping the hooks rebaited. If you only check it in the morning you may have two fish and 20 empty hooks.
What is the best trotline bait?
0:001:43Best Cut Bait and Artificial Bait for Trotlines - Mossy Oak UniversityYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipToday I'm going to talk to you about the best bait to use for a trotline in terms of cut bait theirMoreToday I'm going to talk to you about the best bait to use for a trotline in terms of cut bait their bait stink bait. Such. In terms of those. I would have to say fresh cut bait would be my favorite
How long should trotline drops be?
The backbone of the trotline is now complete. The short segments of line that will run between the swivels and hooks, called drops, can be attached now, along with the hooks. Ideally the drops should be 12 to 18 inches long.
How do you set up a catfish line?
7:3919:15How To SLAY Catfish with LIMB-LINES!!!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure your tree branch is sturdy you can't stress that enough you don't want to put it on a deadMoreMake sure your tree branch is sturdy you can't stress that enough you don't want to put it on a dead branch because the catfish will break it off. And then you saw just took the hook through the loop.
How do you weight a trotline?
As a general rule, you'll need a weight 2 pounds or larger. First, tie a short line on the end of your jug opposite the hook line and make a small loop in it with an overhand knot. Use heavier line similar to the size you use for a main line on a trotline. Small concrete weights work well as anchors.
How do you make a trotline prop stick?
1:2811:42Trotline Crabbing In Maryland Trotline Prop Stick/Roller Options - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can make it out of you know various things most popular way is using a bunch of PVC. And it'sMoreYou can make it out of you know various things most popular way is using a bunch of PVC. And it's fairly inexpensive to do you can get pretty creative.
How do you store trotline leaders?
0:060:49Leader Line Storage Trick - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd put it down inside a neoprene drink cozy. Just like this. And you just have to kind of slide itMoreAnd put it down inside a neoprene drink cozy. Just like this. And you just have to kind of slide it down in there and work it in there the first time leave the end stick it out whenever.
How many hooks can you have on a trotline in Texas?
50 hooksFor a trotline to be legal in Texas public freshwater, it has to meet a handful of requirements. It can't hold more than 50 hooks, can't have hooks closer than 3 feet apart, can't be more than 600 feet in length and can't have any portion (mainline, stagings, hooks) above the water's surface.
How do you rig for trout in a lake?
5:469:15Trout Fishing 101: Basic baits and rigs for your local stocked lake, pond or ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou know you can put any kind of heavy sinker on a on a line above a barrel swivel or on a on a 3-MoreYou know you can put any kind of heavy sinker on a on a line above a barrel swivel or on a on a 3-way swivel or anything like that I prefer these eggs the slip sinker.
How do you set up a catfish line?
7:3919:15How To SLAY Catfish with LIMB-LINES!!!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure your tree branch is sturdy you can't stress that enough you don't want to put it on a deadMoreMake sure your tree branch is sturdy you can't stress that enough you don't want to put it on a dead branch because the catfish will break it off. And then you saw just took the hook through the loop.
What is a floating trotline?
Floating Trot line. (Item #846116) It is floating and measures 120 ft. long. It has plastic pellets melted on the twine to hold the swivels in place. Just like the old L&H trotline!
How long should trotline drops be?
The backbone of the trotline is now complete. The short segments of line that will run between the swivels and hooks, called drops, can be attached now, along with the hooks. Ideally the drops should be 12 to 18 inches long.
How to run a trotline?
The easiest method would be to run a line from shore where your anchor point is a tree trunk. You’d then take your boat and let your trotline out across the width of the stream or river and fasten it to another tree on the opposite side.
How complicated is it to set up a trotline?
Setting a trotline can be as complicated as you make it. Honestly, the hardest thing to navigate it feels like are the laws set by the state. Once you get past those, then you can do most of the prep at home before you ever load the boat.
What states have trot lining regulations?
Here are some links to states where trot lining is typical: Missouri trotline regulations. Arkansas trotline regulations. South Carolina trotline regulations. North Carolina trotline regulations.
What to use to anchor a boat?
You’ll want to use: 1 An anchor (it’s not uncommon to use a cinder block) 2 A float or buoy 3 Chains 4 Mainline with hook
What is a float on a river?
The float that’s on the bank end will typically rest on the surface of the water and is a visual marker for your line. The end that’s anchored on the river bottom will have a float up the line depending on how deep the river is and how long your dropper lines are. This will keep the dropper lines from resting on the bottom.
What is the oldest method of fishing?
Trotlines are one of the oldest methods to catch fish. They are super easy to set up and generally yield some fantastic results. Just make sure you follow the local regulations so that you keep the waterways safe for those who might not be fishing.
Is trotline fishing dangerous?
Trotlining is a lot of fun and nothing beats taking out the boat, setting your traps and coming back to see what you’ve caught. Trotlines can also be a bit dangerous for those who are unsuspecting that they’ve been set. Be sure to properly mark your lines so it’s easy for people and other boaters to see.
How to set out a trot line?
How you set out the trotline in the water depends on where you are fishing. In a creek or small river you simply tie each end of the mainline to each bank via a stake or a tree limb. The line spans the creek or river and is submerged with small weights along the length to take it underwater. In open water such as a lake you have to tie empty jugs ...
What is a trotline for catfish?
Trotlines are one of the old time-tested methods when you want to catch a lot of catfish in a hurry. When you need to make a “meat haul” or just want to fish around the clock while spending your vacation time doing other things, set out a trotline or two and you will always come home with fish! Here are some simple instructions on how to rig up ...
How many hooks per trotline for catfish?
State rules vary, but in my state (Texas) you can have a maximum of 25 hooks per trotline. Other methods to catch catfish include jug fishing which is very similar to trotlines, but more mobile so to speak. You can read about how to jug fish here. How you set out the trotline in the water depends on where you are fishing.
How far apart should I put 25 hooks in Texas?
Texas regulations state that the drop hooks must be a minimum of 3 feet apart. So a 25 hook mainline will need to be at least 100 feet long. I usually just use a standard 120 ft. long mainline to account for tying each end and also to account for the spacing knots to be discussed later.
Is trotline fishing dangerous?
Trotlines can be dangerous if you are careless. They can drag you out of the boat and underwater in a heartbeat. I recommend always fishing with a partner when fishing trotlines. To make the trotline I use just a few simple supplies. For the mainline I like to use a heavy 700 lb. test, tarred, braided or twisted nylon line.