| Jug Fishing is in the realm of 'serious' catfishing. By | | | | Reflective tape (if required in your state) |
| serious, I mean it is for people who want to catch | | | | Heavy (1-3 oz.) bell sinker |
| many catfish consistently and fill up the freezer. Most | | | | 10-25 lb. monofilament (for leaders) |
| 'serious' catfish people will choose jug fishing over all | | | | Check your jugs for cracks and splits. This is best |
| other forms of fishing. | | | | done by filling them with water and look for leaks. |
| It is fun, cheap, productive and easy to do. One of | | | | Many States require jugs to be white or a bright |
| the advantages to jug fishing is that you can spread | | | | color. If so, then start by painting your jugs with the |
| your jugs over a much larger area than is possible | | | | white spray paint and let them dry. Then squeeze |
| any other type of setline. It is also much easier to | | | | some silicone into the caps and screw them on. Allow |
| re-locate juglines from an unproductive area than it is | | | | them to dry. This is to make sure they are |
| for other setlines. | | | | watertight. |
| Juglines can catch catfish, from eating size all the | | | | Next, unroll a length of the braided nylon twine, about |
| way to behemoths in the 50+ lb. range. They are a | | | | 25-30' should be plenty. Tie one end of the twine |
| great way to catch many catfish in a short period. It | | | | securely to the handle of the jug (or around the |
| is also one of the least expensive methods of fishing. | | | | neck if using soda bottles) so that it cannot come |
| All that is actually required is a boat of some kind (or | | | | off. Your depth can be adjusted by wrapping, or |
| raft, float-tube or even an air mattress), bait, plastic | | | | unwrapping the line around the handle. |
| jugs, string and terminal tackle. | | | | Next, tie the bell sinkers to the bottom of each rig. I |
| Commercially made, pre-rigged fishing jugs are on the | | | | prefer using a Perfection Loop knot for this. Now, for |
| market, but you can also make your own very easily | | | | each hook, you can snell them with the |
| and cheaply. A Jug unit consists of a plastic jug (old | | | | monofilament. You only need about a 10" leader. |
| milk or Sunny Delight jugs work great. So do | | | | Starting from the bottom, tie on a hook at the 3' |
| Anti-Freeze jugs and 2 liter plastic soda bottles), a | | | | mark, using a three-way or barrel swivel. |
| mainline (usually heavy kite or parcel string), a weight, | | | | Then, go up to the 6' level and tie a hook, and so on, |
| hooks and some monofilament leaders. | | | | until you have all the hooks you want on it. I |
| You can rig several hooks on each jugline. You can let | | | | recommend sticking with just three, for simplicity. |
| the weight go all the way to the bottom, or rig it at | | | | Repeat for each jug unit. |
| a certain depth and let it drift, to cover more water. | | | | If your state requires it, then put reflective tape on |
| To make a jug line, you need: | | | | the top of the jug and use the permanent marker to |
| A plastic jug | | | | write your name, address, phone number, and any |
| Silicone sealant (caulk) | | | | other required information on the top of the jug. To |
| A roll of braided nylon twine | | | | store the units, simply wrap the mainline around the |
| Several size 1-2/0 Aberdeen hooks (your choice) | | | | handles and the bodies of the jugs until you are |
| White spray paint (if required in your state) | | | | ready to use them. |
| Permanent Marker (if required in your state) | | | | |