Trotlines for Catfish - The BEST Trotline Ever?!?
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I wanted to share something with you guys that has really changed the way my family and I have been running trotlines for catfish. However, before I lay out the design for you… let me say that I realize we all have our preferences on how to do things (especially fishing). Saying that one method is the “absolute best” is like saying one muscle car is better than all the others, or that one type of truck model is the best ever built. You’re never going to get everyone on the same page agreeing on this… and I’m okay with that.
If you have a different method that you think is better; please feel free to share it in the comment section below. The more discussion the better….
Ok, back to the post.
Traditional Trotline for Catfish
For as long as I can recall my family and I have been running trotlines on Lake Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend (more recently). We have used the traditional design (see image below) which involves tying the trotline off at both ends (usually to a stump), and then sinking the line to the bottom in the middle. We've used this method the majority of my life and have done really well with it.
This is an “old-school” design that was probably used by your great great grandfather if he ran lines. It has literally been around forever, and it works great. However, this design is based off the old assumption that catfish are simply “bottom dwelling scavengers” and not much else. We know this isn’t true (see my last post about the Best Catfish Bait), but we still set our lines out in the same old fashioned way.
Floating Trotline for Catfish ("New Method")
I want to encourage you to try this “new” (it’s not really new... just different) method if you haven’t. It has literally changed the way my stepdad and I fish, and I don’t see going back to the traditional method of running lines anytime soon. This has consistently produced more and LARGER catfish for us. Pretty much all the large catfish pictures you may have seen on our site, Facebook Page, or Instagram have been caught using this method.
Ok, so here’s how to set the line. First check out this basic diagram – I’m obviously no artist, but you’ll get the point.
The obvious difference between this method and the old method is that you will now be floating the hooks and bait. This will have the wind and wave action moving your bait around and helping you to catch more fish. Cool huh?
As for actually setting up your line, you can go as cheap or heavy duty/expensive as you’d like. However, I would strongly recommend that you do the work up front and create a solid-stout line that you can catch those large cats on… because you will be hooking them and nothing is more frustrating than losing those huge fish.
Recommended Supplies for Catfish Trotlines
Here are a few tips for setting up your line:
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Used HEAVY Line – I recommend using 96 Tarred Nylon which is about 600 lb
test. Pro-Tip… the larger line is thicker and WAY EASIER on your hands when running lines all day. You’ll thank me later.
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Circle Hooks are a MUST – an instant way to catch a minimum of 20% more fish
per run (even if you don’t use the new trotline model) is to switch to circle hooks. A 6/0 straight hook won’t give you half the holding power that a 6/0 circle hook will provide. They’re that good… and definitely worth the extra cost.
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Swivels, Swivels, Swivels – Those cheap trotline clips are great for smaller fish and setting quick lines; however if you’re going after large catfish then you need to
be using swivels. These will help to prevent a large fish from getting off the hook by keeping them from tangling the staging line into the main line. I recommend using the 3/0 to 6/0 Swivels as they’re super heavy duty and will last you at least 2-3 years in the water.
- Tight Lines – Get your line as tight as possible before setting the hooks. You can use about 50lbs of cinder (or whatever) on each end and this will do the trick to keep it still. In all honesty, you likely don’t need this much weight as they will sink into the mud and get covered… I just tend to overdo things. = )
- Use Clear Bottles – You don’t need a lot to float your lines. I recommend using clear Gatorade type bottles every 10-20 feet (whatever you prefer) to keep your lines afloat. Using the clear bottles will help to “hide” your line at a distance from folks you don’t want to find it.
- Fish Shallow – Keep your main line about 4 feet below the surface. This will allow boats to pass over the top, but still keep your bait in the hot-zone. This works great for summer months when the water is hot.
Trotlines for Catfish Video
See a video of this trotline method in action below!
Baiting Your Trotline for Catfish
I think that’s about it. I feel confident that if you take the time to set your trotlines for catfish using this method that you will find yourself catching more and larger fish. It’s worked for me, and pretty much everyone I know now uses this method over the traditional one of sinking your lines.
One final thought, and a bit of a selfish plug… you’re going to need good bait to catch fish. If you haven’t checked out our different bait fish traps yet, then please take a minute to check them out here:
Click Image For Info
I sincerely hope that you’ve enjoyed this article and have found at least something useful. If you have, please don’t hesitate to share it on Facebook with your fishing buddies. Thanks for reading, and God bless!
10 comments
When I saw this “new” method for running trot lines I couldn’t help but laugh. I’ve been running lines like that since about 1973 when my grandpa showed it to me. I was surprised at how many folks had never used this method. I just thought that’s the way everybody runs them not knowing anything different. Glad to see that you taught so many folks this method like I said I’ve been catching fish like that for a long time and have eaten literally hundreds of pounds of catfish using that method….it works if anyone is skeptical I can testify it works very well. Thanks
Hi Ken! Thanks for the comment, and you’re very welcome for the tips. I hope you try this style of line out someday… it’s a great way to fish for sure. As for the conger eel, no sir, I have never used that for bait. I bet that would be pretty intense though, haha.
Thanks again, man… have a great one!
Thanks for tips on suspended lines, I saw your sight a couple yrs ago and have had good success with that method. I am wondering if you have ever used congo eel for bait? (Amphiuma) they are actually a large freswater salamander up to 3ft long.
Hi Wayne,
Please accept my sincere apology about the delayed response. I just now saw your comment. Anyhow, please let me know if this doesn’t answer your questions:
Q – For the main weight lines – how do you know what the depth is so you know you have the approx 4’ depth?
A – You can run this line in any depth you want, but the idea is that you float it back up towards the surface about 4-5 feet below water. We generally stretch our main line as tight as we can first, but be sure to leave one string/bottle tied to the first end you put into the water so that you can easily go back and pick it up.
Q – For the main weight lines – how do you know what the depth is so you know you have the approx 4’ depth?
A – There are generally knots tied on either side of the staging line (the staging is the line with the hooks). This is a very very tedious process, so we generally tie the knots on the main line while were sitting at home and before we plan to put the line in the water. About every 3-4 feet you will have two knots approx 2-3 inches from each other with a swivel in between. This will be where your staging/hook lines attach to the main line.
kinda like this: X = knot, 8 = swivel (the swivel will go in between the knots.)
X=8=X======X=8=X======X=8=X===
Q – How are the hooks attached to the hook line?
A – A single piece of line will attach the hook to the swivel between the knots. Just tie your hook off on a line, and then tie it to the main line swivel when you get the trotline stretched.
Q – What do you mean by “getting your line as tight as possible before setting the hooks”? Do you attach the hooks someway after the hook line is tight? If so, since it’s 4’ underwater, how do you reach it to place the hooks?
A – Please see above… definitely get it as tight as you can before putting on the hooks, but be sure to get a float on one end attached to the main line so that you can easily go back and pick it up to put your hooks on. Just go about 7-10 feet away from your main line weight and attach your first bottle/float. Then stretch the line tight, go back to the float and then start setting the line up.
Hope that helps some man, please don’t hesitate to give me a call if you have any questions. The number here is 936-553-5509.
Thanks!
Mike
Reel Texas Outdoors
Thank you for the info, but I have a few questions. I am a newbie, so there are some things I don’t understand or how to do.
For the main weight lines – how do you know what the depth is so you know you have the approx 4’ depth?
How do you attach the horizontal line to the weight line so it doesn’t slide?
How are the hooks attached to the hook line?
What do you mean by “getting your line as tight as possible before setting the hooks”? Do you attach the hooks someway after the hook line is tight? If so, since it’s 4’ underwater, how do you reach it to place the hooks?
Thank you for your time.