I am new to rigging trot lines and am having trouble with how to deciding to to attach and secure the swivels to the main line where they will stay put.

Any suggestions?

It all depends on how secure you want your hooks to the main line. I like it to be easy so I use the clips, but not near as secure as attaching to a swivel on the main line.

I don't have a picture but here's how I do it. First, tie a knot where you want the swivel to be on the line. Then I slide on a bead that won't slip over the knot and is bigger than the opening in the swivel (I use the red craft beads from Wal-Mart). Next slide on the barrel swivel followed by another bead. Then tie another knot on the outside of the bead. Repeat this process for whatever hook spacing you like (not closer than 3ft in TX). I make my leaders using a heavy duty snap swivel on the end that attaches to the line. I just snap the swivel into the other end of the barrel swivel that's on the main line. This allows me to just unsnap the swivel to remove the hook and snap another one in place. This makes baiting and removing big fish pretty easy.

here ya go ... this takes a lil' time to make a line like this but it's worth it to me

Absolutely!! Just make sure the diameter of your main line once knotted and pulled tight will NOT slip through the barrel swivel.

Nicely done Albert!!

Thanks for the help guys. I have plenty of time to tie a trot line while setting in a deer blind or while BSing at the deer camp.

Next question is what size hooks are best.

I use Brass brads & 3/0 brass barrel swivels setting leaders approximately 38" to 48" apart. (38 for shallow, 48 for deep). I also set loops for weight, bottles, or tags here & there as needed. By doing it this way, this year's new trotlines are used for next year's used juglines (made from used parts). All I do, is untie the loops, open the bads, slide the swivels off, then start over & space the leaders as needed for jugs depending upon which area I set them at (as I already know the depth of the area I set my jugs in.

depends on what you are using for bait and if you are fishing for channel or flatheads. I personally fish for flat heads with live perch so i use nothing smaller than 7'0 hooks up to 10'0