The screws with the loops on the end work well when you're using the concrete dixie cups for weights. The only problem that I run into with the 20 oz dixie cups is that when I come back to check on the jug, sometimes its no where in sight. Im guessing because a big one has taken off with it because of it not weighing enough.

That is exactly what I use to make mine and they are great and just right size and mainly cheap to make

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I fish from a kayak and get plumb wore out hunting the jugs after a big one gets on. Well I guess a big one ... could be a mean power boater playing mind games...

Fishing from a kayak I have to make a trade off between the size of the weights & the number I can carry/deal with.

Basic brick on a jugline works perfectly in my opinion

I'm in a yak too, fishfree. That is why I like bricks. They are a good amount of weight, they stack in my crate well, and they are more apt to wear out a fish dragging it sooner than a rounded weight imo.
I usually put out ten jugs at a time w/ two hooks each so 20 chances to catch fish a night. Usually end up w/ 3 - 9 keepers.

Thanks to all of you for the input! A lot of good information and all of it useable.
So do any of you believe there is a market for a jug or trotline weight of 3, 7 or 14 pounds, oblong shaped with a 2" eyebolt in one end and coated with a soft plastic? Priced at $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00 for small to large.

Yes, even with the quart concrete weights (averages 3#), which I use on juglines, trotlines, or throwlines, i tend to still find some missing in action. In other words, a nice one has taken it off or under.

The thing about a big Blue is they can bob a float (jug) for short periods only, as they wear out qwikly. However, an Op (spotted & stockier YellowCat, compared to a plain Jane YC) can take a jug under & hold it. Be it forever, or for much longer periods. Why? Because they can literally dive and either take the line under something that will hold the jug under. Or they will dive & burrow in the mud which acts like a suction cup. But eventually they do surface, like the 40# Op we caught last year on a jug the weekend before Thanksgiving. It had been missing in action (not found previously).

We even tried using 2 weights on a double jug near the dam (Lake Limestone), but it too came up missing in action. I have found some of my juglines up almost halfway of the lake a few months after being missing in action. Believe me, the fish can do some traveling. And interestingly, I have noted some patterns in their travels from certain "launchpoints".

Well Tejas, I know I wouldn't pay for jug line weights but the ones you're talking about making do sound sweet. It always suprises me what folks will buy so they could work out well for you. Good luck w/ the venture if you do it.

I also use the concrete in party cups with a hanger eye. However, I prefer using cut-up "t-posts". I can very the length/weight by cutting with a torch or saw. If I remember correctly, they weigh about 1 1/4 lb per foot. The "knobs" on the posts keep the line sliding off.

i like taking the biggest family size can of vegetables or fruit you can find at the gorocery store and then fill it with quick -crete---take a wire clothes hanger and twist a loop for the top end--works great for trot lines or jug lines and stores easy. I actually got a load of cans from a school cafeteria and made some for trot lines.

I use window weights of varying sizes and weights.

I fish from a kayak also and have to watch my space. I work jugs but not trot lines.

I buy a stick of #5 or #6 re-bar for a few dollars and cut it with a chop saw into 6"-8" pieces. I drill a hole into both ends and make a copper loop to tie the jug to so there is no contact with the iron and line. I also put a tight loop on the drag end to chain them together with if needed. I have tried making spider weights of them with copper legs, but is more compact to just carry an extra hand full of weights and gang them up. I have also tried drilling the hole in the middle so they drag sideways, but I don't think it really made much difference.

If I am running 20 or more from the yak, I carry the weights separate from the jugs and simply snap them on as I bait.
I also do a coating of outdoor white paint that does not totally inhibit all rust, but really helps.

It is kind of expensive and Academy does not carry them any more, but surf type spider weights work great. They are like miniature anchors. about $3 each for 3 oz.

The small barbells work great also and are just $1.25 at the store in Plano.


Good luck, Phill

don't jug anymore but when I did I used the old window weights.....they may be hard to find now but youdidn't have to worry about a big fish dragging them to far

Absolute best jug line weights are railroad spikes. They've got a head on one end, and you can easily drill a hole in the other end with a drill press.
I have easy access because I know a bunch of railroad guys, but you could also go out to a rural crossing and find plenty of loose ones laying around. Just don't pull any out of the track.
Old window weights are perfect for trot lines, although they're getting harder and harder to find.

Old Eddy Hankins' grandkids found a big pile of like-new railroad spikes 'bout a mile yonder side of the trailer park.

We paid 'em a dime each to deposit those spikes behind mine and Eddy's trailer. They make a good "drag" for all but the most ornery cat and will even slow the bigguns down somewhat.

Eddy uses those spikes for trotline weights, door-stops, paperweights, tent pegs for his Mamma-in-Laws tent in the rocky ground behind his single-wide, and even puts them in a garage sale sign/box to keep the wind from blowing it away.

Old Eddy is versatile but I just use mine for decoration.