Tips for throwing Jug Lines

Hi there,

I used to go jug lining with my grandpa when I was a kid... but never paid attention to what he was doing. Any tips would help, such as location, depth, setups, bait etc... I want to get back into this (as an homage, if you will).

I am fishing Granbury, if that helps at all.

Many thanks!

There are several different way you can set up jugs. PVC pipes with pool noodles with rebar inside - these will stick up anytime there is a fish on the line. I bought mine on eBay then put the correct amount of line on. You can also just use a float device such as pool noodle with no rebar. I like to have my jugs hit bottom, with about 30ft of line. I use pretty thick catfish line which you can buy at walmart, academy, etc. I use a 5 or 6oz bank sinker at the end of the line to ensure the jugs wont move with wind or the current because i like to leave mine out over night.

Once the line is tied to the jug, i do about 45 twists of string. I take the end of the line, and do two arms length measurements from my chest, tie an overhand knot, then put a bead, hook that's on a swivel through the line, another bead, and another tie overhand knot about a foot or so from the top of the first knot. This will allow your hook to move up and down on the line when there is a fish on. To finish, I tie on a bank sinker to the bottom of the line. Hope this makes sense!

When it comes to bait, I prefer live bait such as shad or perch. You can of course use cut bait as well. I have had pretty good luck on chicken breast marinated with garlic and red kool-aid powder over the winter. I have never fish Granbury before, but i always look on the edge of the river channel into a flat area. Quickly looking at a contour map, it seems like down by the dam would be a good spot! Let me know if you have any other questions!

Hook type and size?

I use size 1 swivels and size 6 circle hooks

on a side note you can use any color other than orange. That color is for commercial fisherman. Take a look at youtube on different ways to make your jug line. Several different styles. I don't like mine to really flag as it will draw attention to it. I use a yellow 3 inch pool noodles cut about 18 inches with about 24 inches of 1 inch PVC with reflective tape on top. Get the reflective tape at Harbor Freight if you have one close. With this set up I can see it better day or night and hopefully other guys will see them and stay clear of it with there boats. I use a rail road spike as a weight and it fits perfect in the PVC.

We use hotdogs cut in 1 inch pieces soaked in red koolaid and garlic or fresh shrimp.

Thank you all! Going out this weekend. Hopefully, I will have a few photos to share in this thread.

Cheers!

Not caught on jug lines, but I did use the hotdog-koolaid-sugar-garlic combo and it produced these nice channel cats on the Brazos south of Granbury.

Caught 17 catfish in less than 2 hours last Friday on Conroe useing shrimp and shad. Made for a great fish fry for Easter Sunday!

My guide buddie Steve once told me his #1 tip for throwing jugs is to aim directly for the center of the trash can.

I bumped my post about making the pool noodle juglines so you could see how I make them. Been a good design.

https://texasfishingforum.com/forum...-pool-noodle-jugline-design#Post10216241

I threw some jugs out on Lewisville Lake today and brought home a medley of catfish. My first cat trifecta!

As to shrimp, be sure the bait shrimp is from the Gulf only. Any other shrimp is now illegal to use for bait in Texas. See <www.tpwd.texas.gov/baitshrimp>

Depending on what your jugging for in Granbury, you can also use my Catfish Calendar to key in on them. Mainly for Blues, Yellows, and Gator Gars. However, the KEY for 2021 has a suggestion as to Channels that might help. See the thread "Lynn's Catfish Calendar". Also note that Bleedover works both ways, up to 12 hours before or after a given calendar day.

I use a one gallon bleach jug, or the really thick opaque gallon tea jugs. Depending upon the depth of the area I set the jugs in, I have the leader to where it just touches the bottom & have from 4 to 5 leaders on the main line. I use 4/0 SS or 3/0 Brass barrel Swivels, but not the ones with the clips. I tie a weight on the end of the main line. I use vinyl drinking cups filled with concrete, with a galvanized loop protuding out of the concrete to tie to. Plus I slit a little hole in the top side, to run some cord thru the cup & the loop to make sure the cups & concrete stay together. The cup protect the boat, as well as the concrete, plus it makes sure we do not litter the bottom of the lakes & rivers with plastic or vinyl cups. If you have problems with people mowing over your jugs, spray about a third to a half inside your jug with spray foam. This will assure if damaged or gashed, that your jug will still float. I also double round the cord of the main line to the handle before tying two knots & snugging them. I also make my knots on both ends of the main line & leader lines. I burn the fray to seal the knot, aka prevent unraveling.

[quote=MathGeek]

Don't use orange in Texas unless you have a commercial license. The state lets you use any color than orange.

MOST Important, you are dealing with many Hooks, and weights and fish... Keep a knife handy at all times. Hook management when setting and pulling is very important. I have in many cases Cut all hooks off as they come up, while dealing with a LARGE Cat. Seen a friend pulled out of the boat dealing with trotline.., something some folks don't think about. other than that, I love Bouncing Jugs......

I just save empty bleach bottles and use 6/0 eagle claw hooks. Handle on the bleach bottle makes it easy to grab and hold.