the old set was really ragged and patched and becoming hard to handle.

So i picked up some tarred string and made some new lines.

I could just use the foam cooler lid route, but was curious if you guys had a more elegant way of organizing your lines.


at the moment, I just have 50 treble hooks, each on 18 inches of line. All are removable from the main line so i can stagger according to the conditions. I havent incorporated any swivels, and unless I have a problem with the catfish spinning and making a mess, I dont think I will need them.

I thought about making some sort of slip device that i can keep on the individual lines that slides down over the treble hook and protects the hook (mostly protecting my hands) that just slides up when you bait the hooks. but i dont know what material I would use. If I could come up with something, I figured I could just throw them all in a bucket.

just curious if anyone has come up with a nice solution.

Inner tube strips. Insert the first hook, then next to it the second, ad infinitum.

http://www.catfishing.tv/trotline/snaglining.htm

[This message has been edited by Log (edited 4/7/2010 12:04a).]

that mimics my styrofoam cooler lid method.

but it doesnt really work anymore because i have detachable drop lines.

maybe i should give up and just attach the drop lines to the main line and do the cooler lid wrap thing again.

I take the hooks and hang them inside a five gallon bucket, put my weights in the bucket also, then take a hand cranking extension cord roller and wrap your line up on it. It makes setting and rewind very fast and tangle free.

TSU AG,

Let me be the first to welcome you to the Outdoors Board.

I think you will like it here.

Just noticed I missed a few minor details. The hooks are on a swivel that attaches to the mainline, with about 16-18" string leaders. Detaching them from the mainline might seem like more work, but it is a lot less hassle as compared to the styrofoam cooler lid. Plus if you are catching a LOT of fish you just unclip them, throw them in the boat, have fishin buddy pull fish off hooks while you keep workin down the line. Once you reach the end you turn around and reattach the pulled hooks while you rebait.

Might be kinda random but, have circle hooks found a place in freshwater fishing? It's been years since I've seriously fished freshwater, but it seems like trotlines could be the perfect place for circle hooks.

TSU AG,

what type of clips do you use to attach to the main line? I was just using a lark's head to attach it.


bigboykin,

I would agree this would be a good use of circle hooks.

however, I typically use blood as bait and need the extra support the treble hook provides to keep in on the line.

If I was using perch or some other bait, I think you are right, circle hooks would be good.

TSU ag, that is exactly how we do ours. I don't remember the type of clip, but they are easy to bait and attach while running the line. If you have 2 guys, the front one removes the fish and the back guy rebaits the line.

Thanks chili, I've been a lurker for years just decided I would go ahead and add some input from now on.
I do use circle hooks since it makes for a sure set, and we have had alot of hooks straightened out over the years.
I believe the clips are made by magic bait, they work for both lines with or without barrel swivels attached. They wont move if attached to the mainline. Just make sure they look something like this http://www.magicbait.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TrotlineClips.

[This message has been edited by TSU AG (edited 4/7/2010 10:49a).]

This thread makes me happy because it's about time to start setting trotlines. Very exciting!

Help for the rook...

www.magicbait.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TrotlineClips

And I too was interested in other means than the styrofoam cooler lid.

Man, if you're gonna link for the noob, at least clean it up for him so we don't have to look at that mess...

Trotline Clips

smartass

Okay, I'm basically looking for any page 2+ thread to post on to move '02s 437 posts off the first page.

For those of you that run trotlines, what is your favorite set? I'll be putting out lines in the next few weeks and this time of the year really like to work the windy side of our points. Usually tie off to dead trees on two sides, weight in the middle.

I've had fair luck, but I'm far from a trotline expert so I'm willing to steal good ideas if you have them.

I also use the bucket method. It's same principle they use in commercial longlining, especially for tuna and swords.

Sean,

I live near the Red River and have several friends with property along it. So naturally, most of my lines are in moving water vs still water.

depending on the depth of the Red we we are fishing, we typically dont need weights. Just wade out in the water (usually only nipple height at most) and use a cut willow sapling to stake them down. The bottom is sandy, so getting the stake in the ground and having it stay put isnt a problem.

We usually put them parallel to one another at a 45 degree angle to the current. The blood gives off enough scent to bring them in from down stream.

I'll have to remember to snap photos the next time we go out.

Gracias.

I have the lake & 2 tributaries feeding it. This time of the year my major worry is crappie fishermen getting tangled up in them.

I'll be deploying from a kayak for the first time this year.

Sean, another way is to run down the bank with the trotline. I've always had better luck along the bank then out in the middle of the river. The needlenose gar always find and strip our lines more if they are in the middle of the river.

check the regulations, in texas you have to identify them at both ends.









and of course salt water has their own rules too.

[This message has been edited by 35chililights (edited 4/8/2010 1:54p).]

When we've done it in the past, we've set the lines in waist- to chest-deep water in brush. Doesn't have to be set in a straight line either. Wade out from shore, tie off one end, then run it either in a straight line or "bend" it around larger logs/stumps to go in the direction you want (L or U shaped sets). We also stretched the line as tight as possible when tying off the terminal end.

One of my cousins used to run rubber band lines. Tie one end ouf the trotline to surgical tubing, which is tied around a large rock. Go dump the rock in the water offshore, then tie the shore-end of the trotline to some kind of flexible pole with a bell attached to it. Bell rings when a fish is on, and you are able to unhook and rebait by pulling the line in. Rubber band takes it back out.