If you want to bring in a nice sized harvest of catfish or want to increase your chances so that you can bring home at least one fish, learning how to make a trotline for catfish is a must.
What is a Trotline
A trotline is a line that goes across a body of water, such as a river or lake. The line has multiple hooks at intervals to increase your chances of catching fish. The more hooks that are in the water, the better your harvest is going to be, and trotline fishing for catfish makes that easier than most other methods.
Benefits of Trotline Fishing
There are quite a few benefits to trotline fishing. First, this is a great method for beginners. It is easy to do, requires little equipment, and it’s a great way to catch plenty of fish. You don’t need a boat or any type of special, expensive equipment to give this a try.
This type of fishing is also a great idea for anyone that doesn’t have an entire day to spend on the lake. All you have to do is set up the line, and you can check it the next day. This instantly makes trotline fishing appealing for anyone that wants to enjoy the fish and doesn’t like sitting on a boat or river bed for hours.
How to Make a Trotline for Catfish
What Do You Need For a Trotline
When you make a trotline, you have two options: make your own or buy one that is already made. A pre-made trotline kit comes with the line, hooks on it, the whole nine yards. All you have to do is set it up.
DIY trotlines are not hard to make, though. All you need is line, swivels, some clips, and bait. You’ll also need some anchors and floaters for this type of fishing.
How to Make a Trotline for Catfish
To make a trotline for catfish, simply cut the line as long as you need it to be. If you are using this method in a river, don’t make it wider than the river unless you are using anchors near the bank.
Next, you want to tie an anchor to each end of the line. A few feet in, tie your floaters. In between, your floaters will be your hooks. Make sure that they are secure in place using clips or hooks that will stay with the line, like circle hooks. After that, you are ready to bait your hooks and cast your line.
What Type of Bait Do You Use For a Trotline
You can use whatever bait you would normally use for a trotline. If you love using fake lures and those that have worked for you in the past, it’s a great idea to stick with them. Make sure that you have a bait that will stay on the hook unattended for hours, though. This is a great way to enjoy fish for dinner without having to spend all day fishing.
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