Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Contact the fish and game commission in your state to make sure the use of trotlines is legal. Depending on the state, you may or may not need a fishing license to fish with a trotline. There will be restrictions on the length of the line, the number of hooks used and the types of devices used to "float" the trotline, as well as minimum and maximum depths for the runner lines with the hooks and baits on them.
Choose the right line. The easiest way to get started fishing as soon as possible is to choose the ready-made trotlines sold in stores. The ready-made lines already have the swivels, nylon cord and the drop lines in place. If you choose to make your own, you will need a base line of 250-lb. test nylon. You will need at least 100 feet of this cord.
Begin placing the drop lines on the nylon cord. These drop lines can be clipped onto the cord or tied on with a sturdy knot. You should leave the first 20 feet of the nylon cord free of drop lines because you will be anchoring this end of the line to the shore with a tree trunk or, failing that, some cinder blocks. The drop lines should be a minimum of 4 feet to a maximum of 24 feet long. The lengths can be adjusted according to the area in which you are fishing.
Clip or tie the hook to the end of the drop line. Use caution when moving the trotline because the hooks can snag a finger or hand as you work on the trotline. You will bait the hooks when you are out on the boat.
Anchor the wet end of the trotline. The wet end is the end of the line that is in the river as opposed to the end anchored on the shore. Your anchor needs to be heavy enough to keep the line taut even with fish struggling to get off the hooks. Cinder blocks, heavy rocks or concrete poured into a bucket with an eye bolt in the center will work.
Load up the boat with the finished trotline. Leave the dry end anchored to shore and push off slowly. At the 20-foot mark, stop the boat. Bait the hook on the first drop line with stink bait, worms or whatever works in your location. Travel a little farther and bait the next hook and drop it. Repeat this process until you reach the wet end of the trotline.
Wrap the end of the trotline with duct tape and use a permanent marker to write your name on it so you can identify it later.
Pull the trotline tight and attach the wet end to the anchor. Gently set the anchor in the water when the line is tight and release.
Check the line every four to six hours for fish. If this is a line that will be in place overnight make sure the weights pull the floats down to a level of 4 feet below the water's surface.