| Using a trotline is one of the most popular ways to | | | | Getting Started |
| fish for catfish. For those of you that are not familiar | | | | You need to start by getting your trotline ready. You |
| with the term trotline it is a lightweight cord or rope | | | | can buy trotlines already made that include the hooks |
| with hooks scattered throughout the length of the | | | | or you can make your own. If it is the first time you |
| rope. Bait is attached to the hooks and it is spread | | | | have ever used this method, then you may want to |
| out across a portion of the body of water in which | | | | buy the first one so you can see how it is made. |
| you are fishing. Normally, the trotline will not have | | | | Later, after you become more experienced you can |
| more than fifty hooks that are placed at least | | | | begin making your own. |
| eighteen inches apart. The rope usually runs between | | | | The trotline is normally run from the shallow end of |
| fifty to one hundred feet in length. | | | | the water to the deep end when using this method |
| You can use a trotline in all types of water regardless | | | | in creeks, lakes, rivers and any body of water with a |
| of whether it is deep, shallow or a combination of | | | | deep drop-off. Start by tying one end of the trotline |
| both. Use trotlines in ponds, creeks, rivers and lakes. | | | | onto a tree, stump or any other secure area located |
| They are used by all types of fishermen. Trotlines | | | | on the shallow end of the water. Once it is secure |
| are most commonly used by commercial fishermen | | | | you begin to feed it out into the deeper water. |
| because they have the potential to catch many | | | | When you are about halfway out deploy a heavy |
| catfish in a very short period of time. However, it is | | | | weight to the trotline to hold it in place. |
| also a method that is used by the occasional angler | | | | Finish feeding out the rest of the line until you reach |
| interested in catching a large amount catfish in a | | | | the end and place another weight here. This one |
| hurry for a family fish fry or to freeze and eat on | | | | should be heavier than the first because it will need |
| until the next time they go out. | | | | to hold the whole line in place and not sway with the |
| Trotlines are mainly used for catching catfish because | | | | current of the water. |
| they are fairly easy to use and they usually produce | | | | The trotline should be located about three feet |
| some really good results with this particular species. | | | | below the surface of the water. Tie a piece of twine |
| They can be used almost any time of the year | | | | to the bottom of this end of the trotline and run it |
| except when the water is freezing over. Even | | | | up to the top, here attach the float. Once the line is |
| though trotlines are easy to use don't make the | | | | run go back to the shallow end and begin placing |
| mistake of thinking there is not some work involved. | | | | your bait on the hooks one by one. Keep the trotline |
| You will have to set up the trotline and haul in the | | | | pulled tight at all times. |
| fish that you catch. | | | | |