Me and my father are planning a fishing trip targeting big cats at lake Tawakoni. I tried finding the 'good ole' L&H trotlines made in Quitman, Texas but I think they went out of business. And the crappy metal clip trotlines from Wal-mart just arn't cutting it. If any one knows where to find good trotlines PLEASE let me know. Thanks

you will prolly have to make your own ... i don't remember ever buying one

i buy them because i dont fish them alot but if i did i would make my own. thats what i remember from back in the day from guys that ran them evryday, but acadmey has ones that will work great for what youn want.

I started off buying L&H trotlines in the 1970s. But before that decade was over, I started building my own. Ray (raycat) said the other day, that they had went out of business (but not sure when). The other day in Academy, I think they now have something like H&H trotlines, if not mistaken. In other words, if you still want prefab, somebody is still making some.

Unless you just really dont have the time build your own. The store bought ones are pretty much junk that I have seen. I build all of my own. Really it depends on if you plan to keep them around or just junk they at the end of the trip too.

If its just a one time deal you can use the Wal-Mart trot lines but you need to make your own leaders and use different hooks.

Are you targeting channel cat or going for the bigger cats that can wreack havoc on a cheap made line. I used to build mine using a 3/16 or 1/4 inch cord for the maine line partly because it was easier to hold onto and I would put metal hooks on the side of boat to hook the main line on when taking a big fish off and to staedy boat a little in high wind. Not to say you cannot catch a big fish on smaller line but your chances go up using stouter stuff. I know a guy that won't use anything but twisted #9 for his stagings whether he is baiting the the hook with stinkbait or 2 lb drum.

Academy has the trotlines with beads each side of the swivels for stops. Used to use L&H but they are no longer are in business. The ones Academy has look similar to the L&H. I wouldn't use the hooks that come with them. they break and bend too easy. I've taken to making my own. They last longer and with a 7/0 or bigger circle hook, snelled at the end of the staging, are hard to beat.
Which ever way you go, good luck!

And welcome to the forum CFmann13. Where are you located ?

Iv never come across a good one in a store. Always gotta make my own.

Usually for me, i will get the ones with a clip from Walmart. They seem to work fairly well and it is easy to remove the fish with the clip. I have noticed that the hooks that they put in the packages are cheap, so i buy heavier duty J hooks or bigger circle hooks and when tieing my leaders, just change the hook. That being said, what i have started to do is use the Walmart line as a pattern to make my own. The Walmart one has the beads where the hooks go, so i stretch out the Walmart line, then the rope i want to use for my main line next to it and tie a loop in the new mainline wherever there is a set of beads in the Walmart line. This keeps me from having to measure out the legal distance that is supposed to be between hooks. While i do think that hook size and strength is important, what is more important is where you tie your line off. If the fish has something solid to pull against, he can pull off the line by making the hole in his mouth big enough for the hook to slide out. Because of this, i always use semi-solid gree limbs that have some give, but not much to tie off to. I have found some pretty good size fish on cheap or even rusted hooks because they could not get the pull they need to get away. Hope this helps, and good luck!!

Y thank you "raycat" I am stationed in Mobile, AL. But originally from San Angelo.

Are the ones from Academy have to good hard plastic beads to stop the swivel or the crappy brass ones.

They are hard beads. Mainline is 300# test.Brand is H&H. I wouldn't use the floating line for fear of getting tangled in someones prop. Good luck ! I'm going tomorrow!

Make 'em ur self. Use line from Academy, put swivels on the line to attach your hooks to. When you bring it in, un hook you hooks as you bring it in and store them separtely and no tangles or mess. Or, you could buy the wal mart or academy ones already made as previously suggested. I wouldn't use the hooks that come with them. I would use Kahle or Circle hooks, you won't lose as many.