trotlines

[crawfishking]

i have some trotlines out in the watter but i am not caching any thing  any body got some tips

[John]

Need more information, where are you located, how deep are your lines, what are you using for bait, what kind of cats are in your area?

[jtrew]

I've had that happen when trotlining new waters.  I'll assume that you already have your lines set in what seems to be a good location near structure and deeper water.  I'd say to try baiting up with several different baits to see if that makes a difference.  If you still don't get any bites, move your lines.

[.308sniper]

Whats a trotlining.

[RF]

Picture a long length of heavy cord, say 100 feet or longer.  Every two or three feet along its length is a swivel with a short drop line and baited hook.  These are usually called the stagings.  Thus, a trotline might have anywhere from 20 to 50 hooks or more.

That's just the very basics, and there are lots ofl ways to employ trotlines.  I usually tied one end to the bank and had a large weight holding the other end down out in the channel.

I think before anyone tries using trotlines, they should get some hands-on lessons with someone experienced.  Trotlines have a potential for being dangerous.

[Graybeard]

Trotlines have a potential for being dangerous.

A REAL BIG potential. If you get those hooks tangled in your clothes or flesh when you are running it or baiting it and loose your balance you are in DEEP trouble and perhaps deep water. It's best done with two folks and the one not running the line needs to know how to keep the boat postioned properly. A sharp knife you can reach really fast to cut the line if needed is also a wise precaution.

A big cat on the line can sure shake it up badly and get you hooked if not careful. When dad thought a really big one might be out there from the feel of the line he'd start taking off the hooks as he got to them to have fewer to get tangled in just in case.

[.308sniper]

Thanks Ill hold off!!

[WILDBILL1958]

you can catch cat fish with out catching the larger ones by going to a smaller hook.I used to trot line for a living in the south.try this it will work.place a jug every 50 to a hundred feet so the line will float.tie a 10 ft cord to each jug and fasten to trot line.this will float your lines and the boats want cut it .People think cat fish is a bottom feeder which is true but when the bugs start hatching out and landing in the water they will feed on the top or close to the top at night.they are like all the other fish(bass,trout,blue gill,snook and red fish)salt and fresh water feed like this even at night.I have caught my biggest bass 15 lbs, was at night. my largest snook was at night 34 lbs.the brown bull heads likes chicken liver the best. Here in palm bay fla we have tons of them.Don't be a fraid to have some fun just be prepared for the un exspected and be careful.my biggest two cats to this day is a 102 lb blue cat and a 116 pound yellow cat or flat head as they are called.with closing I will say this I trot lined for over 30 years with out a partner, but you must always be prepared for the un exspected and always have safety on you mind .