How to Go Trot Line Fishing

Fishing by using a Trot Line is an excellent way to take in a lot of fish in a short period of time. This article will explain how to set up and run a Trot Line.

First make sure that you have a license and a tag for your line. States will vary on this law. Usually, your tag will go inside a waterproof holding tag. This way the game warden will know who it belongs to. It will also protect your line from someone else running it.

Make sure you have a boat. A Flat or John Boat works best. You will need a boat to set out your line and run it. Pick where you want your line to go. You will need hooks, bait, and weights to hold the line in place. Once you have your place picked, tie one end of your line to a tree close to the bank or a partially sunken log. Paddle your boat to the other side of the stream and tie it off the same way. Make sure you have at least six feet of slack. If the stream is deep, add more slack.

Depending on how wide the stream is, you will first put your weights on. Also the current will determine how many weights you will use. Weights are usually placed about 12 to 15 feet apart. Heavy weights work best. Once they are on, you can now place your hooks with bait on. They should be at least four feet apart. However, I have seen them at three feet apart.

The bait you use, depends on what you are fishing for. Catfish are scavengers. They like blood type foods. You can use liver, chicken gizzards, minnows, worm, and cottonseed. Whatever bait you use, it must stay on the hook, until you run your line. You will run your line, with the boat, every two hours.

To run your line simply place the line over the top corner of your boat. Slowly lift the line, remove the fish, and place on fresh bait. You will need at least two float-able lights. This way you can run your line at night. Be sure to have life jackets on.

Trot Line fishing is fun and exciting. It is a great way to get some good size fish over a short period of time. If you catch fish that you don't want, release them back into the stream. Always have plenty of bait. If one type of bait doesn't work, try another. Good luck.

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