Everyone has their technique of keeping their drop lines from getting tangled. The most common I�ve seen and done over the years, is to simply hang the hook end around the rim of a bucket. However, the clip ends will soon tangle and cause a mess as well. I came up with a solution that has saved me a lot of torment. I used this most of the summer, and will be making more sets. Hope this helps everyone else out. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/lVRz3E5BLnk

That is an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing! I�ve been working on how to be better organized with all my trotline hooks and your idea is great. My idea was going to be use a swimming noodle about 3 feet long with pvc going through it for strength and just hook all my hooks in the noodle and hang it on on the side of my boat. I may do it your way instead!

Great idea.

The one thing I am thinking I may do differently is experiment with pouring maybe 2 inches of concrete in the bottom of the bucket and putting the pvc sticks in it that way. Just wonder if it will A) be stronger and more permanent then the glue and B) add a little bottom weight to the bucket to keep it from blowing over on the boat ride or going down the highway if no other weights are in it to anchor it place. I may have to go back and make trotline weights that fit inside the bucket better. to and redesign a lot of my rig.

I made my buoys out of swim noodle with PVC going through it. I wrap the noodle in white duck tape to strength it plus right my name, date, etc..... on one end. Whole thing is probably 6 inches long. 3 inches from one end I drilled a hole and run trotline string through the pvc/swim noodle and tied it directly to a trotline clip. Then I wrapped about 50 feet of string and terminated it with a loop. I can easily adjust the depth and just use a carabiner clip to attach the buoy to my 12 pound weights on the end of my trotline. This has been the best method I have come up with that is nice and small, adjustable, and stores away in a bucket with all my other gear easily. I like how small it is because it is less obvious for boaters/fisherman to notice it while still being legal.

The only reason I wanted the PVC unit loose in the bucket, is for cleaning, drainage, and air flow. Just something to think about....

hummm thats a good thought....I'm not sure what I'll do but I love your idea and will do some version of that. Thanks again for sharing that design!

YES! I figure that this is a good 'base' recipe for a perfect organizer. I would love to see some innovations to this. I need the help!

Well I got two of them made and love them! I put 2-3 inches of concrete in the bottom so it has a little weight to keep it from blowing over and they turned out nice.

That's great! I love knowing that I made someone's life easier! I'm going to make a couple more real soon with short lines in one of the buckets.

Thats a good idea! I have a few 24 hook trotlines that around about 250 feet long and I have a few others that are 12 hooks long. I ended up just putting some hooks into a swimming noodle, wrapping the leader around the noodle and securing the ends with a rubber band. It may get a little messy but at least its only 12 hooks rather than 24. I ought to make 1 more buck and it can be dedicated to two short trotlines.....

How did you make the thumbnail appear??? Apparently, I'm not very good at posting.

NICE! THANKS!