River catfishing

Looking to do some river catfishing using trotlines. What are the best hook size and bait to use? Someone told me that Ivory soap works...Tips and tricks on where to set them? Thanks!!

Cut bait works best except for flatheads, for them live bait is #1. Hook depends on what you're targeting. If you're going after flatheads you need a big *ss hook but I think bank poles would be easier for flatheads rather than a trotline.

Eric

Yeah trot lines are a bit harder in current, I’d get some big live bait, and use bank poles or limb lines.

The best bait for flatheads are mudcats.

My best lines for a river current is a throw line that gives part of the river to others while running your lines. Also you can pick up your tail weight and motor up river when you are fishing by yourself. When you go to take them up run your line down to the tail weight and the current will move you towards the bank. Now you are out of the way of boat traffic.

Trot lines work fine in rivers, if you place them in the right spots. Green Sunfish if possible. Slack water, holes, holes with cover in slack water is money.

One of my two YellowCat teachers showed me how to run trotlines diagonally on the Brazos River. You can follow the contour slightly better than straight across. I applied that to the Brazos, Navasota, and Trinity Rivers.

As to bait, probably perch is the best, with huge shiners running a second, as to my choice. My hooks range from 5/0 to 9/0 & from "J" to short shank stump hooks to circle hooks, as well as Kahle.

Normally I run size 36 green nylon cord (3 strand twist) for my main line, along with 3/0 Brass barrel swivels or 4/0 Crane SS swivels, and the same or braided size 36 green for my leaders. However, I found out that for "The Giant" (estimated at 115 Pound Yellow, which I may have to up that) this past weekend, that my leader snapped at the end by the hook, just after it brushed me under the boat. I have never had anything break my lines, main or leaders, while in my hands. It slowly awakened & at first, I knew I had a fish. Next was it gave a good tug like an 18 to 20 pound Yellow. But within two hooks away, I realized it may go at least 60#. Until it dawned on me as it dove the last time, That I was about to tango again with the Giant. Who knows, maybe I was lucky that the line did not hold, as I was not ready to throw my weight to the other side to counter-balance its diving strength. Even with my new 12 footer, this one could easily cause me to dip water or roll me. It has taken me for a ride before, but always got off the hook. This time it kept the hook. It is like a tractor when it gets on a line.

So I might add a word of caution- never take your guard down. Always be ready. One friend at Lake Limestone had a jugline leader rip by & catch his leg just above the ankle, as a very big Blue woke up & caught him offguard. That hook did some damage on its way back out of the boat. Luckily it did not take him off the deck & into the water.

River fishing, always use live bait, make or get a live minow trap and try to catch live perch, 2, 3 or 4" in size is perfect for good trotline. Not sure what river your at, but find eddies, near a point, or overhanging willows that reach out over the river, perfect spots for lines.,
Dont skimp in hooks, we had great results with #7 to #9 Mustad hooks, had some old Eagle Claw from my dads fishing stash from 60's they still catch fish!....


Have fun.... be safe....