Unique method for running trot line

[hawkenman]

I have a friend that is an 80 year old ex trapper/hunter he showed me how he runs his trot lines. He roles up the line in a wash tub with the hooks and line attached. What keeps the hooks from tangling up is that he attaches a small square of styrofoam to each hook. Once the line is secured the hooks float to the top of the water where he can easily pick them up, remove the styrofoam and bait them. He once told me "I didn't get old by being dumb".

[Graybeard]

All the trotlines I've ever been involved with had weights on them to carry them to the bottom where catfish hang out. He must have very long droppers on those hooks if they float to the surface or he's fishing in very shallow water. Me thinks he might be pulling your leg a wee bit.

[hawkenman]

The line is weighted alright, the times I've been with him he ties one end of the trotline to a tree limb the other end he takes the line along the edge of the river or to the center. There he sinks it after it's baited with half a concrete block. Attached to the bock is a rope with a crab trap float on it. The next morning he just finds the float, pulls up the block and checks the line.  The only part of the line that is weighted is one end. I have seen him sink both ends of the line by attaching a block on each end with floats. I prefer bush hooks for catfishing, they're easier to work and more fun. Last January I caught some really nice channel cats on the Suwanee River. Here in Florida we don't have the giant catfish of the north, but enough 8 to 10 pounders to keep me happy.