Question for the Catfish guys

[chief262]

Grew up fishing the Leon between Ater and Gatesville. For throw lines, 3 hook would be my choice because of the width and depth. Hooks on stagings about 12" long with a swivel on the main line. We used window weights or johnny balls (power line insulators) for weights. Tie them off to a limber limb. Baits of choice were red horse or spot tail minnows, small carp, goggled eyed perch and goldfish. Never had to much luck with liver, stink baits, blood, etc to many turtles and gar. Used a lot of "bank sets" for yellow cats with larger baits. Single hook on weighted line above the hook set on the bottom.

Brings back lots of memories! Good Luck.

[ByronF]

We have been killing the catfish running 30 limb lines but only fishing about a foot in the water with live perch. Catching over 25 a night blues and ops (flathead)

[ByronF]

If we use "juglines" I bought net float the 4x3 ones from net supply company rig them with about a foot of line. The best part about the using "corks" is the line wraps around them and stick the hook in the cork makes for easy storage and no tangles.

[RiverRat1]

I make juglines and then tie them off to overhanging trees with 30-80# line (depending if I want them to break free or not) Every other jug will be a "free floater" which just mean a hook on bottom, and small weight 1' above bottom hook, and another hook 2' above the weight. The others I tie a 2-5 lb weight on bottom then run hooks every 2' or so using big 3 way swivels.

All jugs are made with 300 or 400# mono with sleeves and crimping tool, the biggest 3 ways you can afford, and really strong hooks usually circle(they can not be too big and yes you will still catch plenty of small ones). Also do not use less than a 1 gallon jug IMO.. Not if you are in water with structure and actually want to land one over 20#s

[Tmag]

Old style - we used leadhead jigs on heavy string and catfish soap tied off on a bush on the bank and fished on the bottom.

[RutnBuk]

Chad I prefer drop lines to throw lines because you can suspend the baits just off the bottom. My reasoning for this is that it's easier for the fish to locate your bait as opposed to sitting on the bottom. Make sure you tie the line off to something with some "give" to it or you'll end up with straightened hooks. I like to use large live perch or small carp. Mudcats are my preference if I can find them. I make my sets along undercut banks and rocky structure. I'll hang the bait right next to the undercut and just off the bottom. I've caught 50lb plus flats in 2' of water like that. They hide up under the bank during daylight and come out at night to feed. I would also suggest using circle hooks. They've greatly increased my hookup to lost bait ratio. Also, wait as long as you can before baiting the line. I bait an hour before dark. This somewhat decreases the chances of turtles and gar stripping the bait. All this info applies primarily to flatheads. If I'm tageting channel or blue cat I use a different setup.

This is exactly what we do. If you have trouble finding a good limber limb we tie bungie straps to big logs that dont give and this gives good play where you might not have any. Before we set the line out we use a pole to feel around and make sure there is no brush that our bait or the fish can tangle up in. Take some clippers to make it easy getting in under thick brush. Good luck

[Dirtymike]

crawfish works pretty good as bait if you can catch some

My wide would eat the bait!

[Dirtymike]

Ok this dang phone, that was wife!

[crittergitter]

My wide would eat the bait!

if she eats my bait she will get a hook in her lip......

on serious note the smaller ones out of the ditches work best

[rtp]

On the jug lines does the float have to be white? I noticed several people referring to pool noodles but they are normally some sort of color. I fish mine on private waters so it doesnt matter but I think I have heard those that fish public water say the floats have to be white.

[TallTexan]

On the jug lines does the float have to be white? I noticed several people referring to pool noodles but they are normally some sort of color. I fish mine on private waters so it doesnt matter but I think I have heard those that fish public water say the floats have to be white.

Have to be white

[Dirtymike]

It might slow her down but her coon-azz momma would spit the hook back out and go for another! MAMMA SAYS!!! Thats not nice. My MIL is awesome lady.