All year I've been promising my wife a feezer full of fish and my results have been less than stellar. So I have decided to go all out for this trip, rod and reel/3-4 jugs/trot line.

As I said, I've never tried before so I'm still trying to figure out the best budget jugs I can make. This will prolly be the only time I ever use them, so I don't want to spend more than I have to.

I have a couple spools of the white string stuff, don't remember what size it is though, should be good to go. Am I allowed to use milk jugs still? We are only doing 3-4 jugs atso I'm not worried about the hook limit. How many hooks do you suggest? I was thinking 5 or so about 2 ft apart.

What kind of hooks are suggested? I used just whatever I had in my tacklebox on my last trot line and every time I checked it every hook was empty and not a single fish caught. I'm thinking circle hooks?

What size weight goes on the bottom?

If we return to the same spot we camped at last time the water varies a lot in depth in the cove. There is a channel in the middle that's around 20 ft, then most of the rest of the cove is about 10ft and finally next to the cliffs are a couple of 30ish ft holes. Where shold I focus on?

For bait I'm planning on bringing a couple ziplocks full of frozen shad from Decker since can cast net them all day long off the peir. I'm thinkin live perch that I catch during the trip as well. Does it matter where the bait goes? As in live bait nearest the bottom or vice versa?

I know I have a lot of questions,just don't wanna screw this up. Thanks guys!

Should be more than enough information to get you started right here:

http://www.learntocatchcatfish.com/category/catfishing-how-to/jug-fishing/

The leader lines (stagings) have to be at least 3 feet apart, or it an illegal trotline, throwline, or jugline.

You noted about 2 feet apart.

Three foot spacing applies only to trotlines. Does not apply to throwlines or juglines.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/legal_devices/

yep, milk jugs are fine. Add your name, address and date.



5 is the most allowed per line but IMHO 2 is plenty.



I prefer kahle or circle hooks (best).



zero to 2 pounds or more... with no weight the jugs will travel with just a light breeze (more work and/or fun for you in open water but not too bad in a creek)

a 2 oz bank sinker dragging on the bottom will hold the jugs still in a light breeze but catfish (and turtles) can still travel quite a ways. Generally if in a creek they don't go too far...usually they head for structure to wrap the line around. In open water they'll travel.

a one or two pound weight (quickrete in a styrofoam coffee cup or half brick) will slow down but not quite stop 6pounders from travelling but bigger cats can still travel pretty well dragging a 2lb brick!

for weighted jug lines I'd make the lines longer than water depth



I'd go for the cove over night. Maybe the deep water during the day.



I typically fish the bait about 2 ft off the bottom if I have a weighted line on the jug other wise about 2 ft below the surface with an unweighted jug.



Hard to mess up if the fish are there and feeding they will accomodate your jug line buffet. (and so will the turtles... by the way the gar may target that white nylon line you are planning to use!)

good luck

You are correct Chad. It only notes it on the trotlines. I have always interpreted it as applying to all 3 Lines (Trotlines, Throwlines, and Juglines). Possibly had to do with the way it was worded back in the 1970s. I would have to dig back thru the archives.

Milk jugs arent white, Jugline marker float must be white. I will admit most wardens will overlook it, but some wont.

I have never seen a milk jug that was any color other than white (except clear glass and that was waaaaaay back before the plastic milk jugs!).

Some people use WHITE bleach jugs and some people use clear water bottles & stuff a white plastic bag inside.

Seems to me they are only white when they are full...

go behind a coin laundry and pick up old clorox bottels
they are white

I bought the white foam jugs at walmart and they work great, I also use circle hooks 2 per jug and bouth 1 pound dumbell weights at walmart or academy, can't remember. Works great. Check them often to pull fish and rebait, every couple of hours at least.

Dont drink much milk do you