Things You'll Need
Instructions
Tie fishing line to both five-pound weights. Make the lines long enough to reach the bottom of the water. Attach the gallon jugs to the other end of the line. The weights will keep the trotline in place, and the jugs will mark them so you can find them later -- and to alert others of their presence.These two lines will be your end lines.
Determine the distance you want between the end lines, and cut a piece of fishing line to that length. Tie one side to an end line about two feet above the weights. Attach the one-pound weight to the center of the line with a short length of fishing string. This will help stabilize the line and keep it in place. The bottom of the weight should be even with the bottoms of the end weights.
Attach fishing lines of varying lengths along the line, keeping about a foot between them. Tie a hook on the end of each line. Keep the hooks above the level of the weights so they don't drag the bottom. Bait the hooks with cut bait. The cut bait will last longest on the hook and emits scent longer then other baits.
Set the trotline in the water from a boat. Have someone along to help, and keep a sharp knife handy in case you need to cut a line. Lower one end of the trotline into the water as your helper slowly moves the boat along. When you reach the end, lower the end line into the water until it rests on the bottom.
To keep fish loss to a minimum, check the trotlines every five hours. Pull up one end of the line, and run your boat along the line to check all the hooks. Have your friend stand ready with a net to catch any fish trying to escape. Replace the bait as you go, so when you reach the end of the line, it will be all set again.