trotline

[GoodOlBoy]

trying to get some new trots built for this spring/summer. Anybody got a good catfish bait/soap recipie they are willing to share or do I have to buy it again this year?

Also I am switching it Gamakatsu octopus hooks (IE circle hooks) but I have been told that they size differently. Should I stick to my normal 2/0-3/0-with a couple of 4/0 mix?

Not going to run a huge line probably no more than two to three dozen hooks.

GoodOlBoy

[fishnfrank]

I always went to a local sandpit and caught a bunch of small bluegills and they worked better than anything. Just my .02

[GoodOlBoy]

Yeah we use to head down to the lake and use cast nets to pull in small bluegill, shiners, etc. Problem is you really can't get to any decent areas anymore without a boat.

GoodOlBoy

[Andy L]

GOB,
Cut shad, fresh or frozen, work well. I think live bait is the best, goldfish, bluegill, chubs or shiners. For channel cat and blue cat, there is some dip bait that works pretty well. I cant remember the name of it, but I think its made in Texas. Ill try and find out. Basically, you take one of those plastic "catfish worms" with the holes and treble hook in it and dip it in this stuff. I hate it but have a buddy that swears by it.

As for the hooks, I have never switched around any. Sorry....

Andy

[GoodOlBoy]

Thats aight Andy, I appreciate that much info, there are several good "dip" baits like that around.

Any info or discussion is GREATLY appreciated and enjoyed on my end folks. I love to catfish, both on a pole, and on a trot so lets keep this one going shall we?

GoodOlBoy

[Leadbutt]

I would use a few of the 4's just to be able to catch afew of the large ones, bait, for years I have used nothing but liver, and panty hose,,THE WIFE SIN'T HERE:D

Or in a pinch I drop by one of the fish shops and buy a bunch of the feeder gold fish,, normaly here its cheaper then the bait shop

[Andy L]

No Prob GOB....

I like goldfish myself the best. Great for flathead. Hearty, stay alive and on the line for a long time. I never thought about using the feeder fish. The ones I have seen are smaller than I have used. I like them at least 3" or 4" fish. Those fancy lookin orange and white ones work really good.

Guess in a pinch a feller could rob one of those fancy fountains around town..... :D

Andy

[GoodOlBoy]

ROFL Yeah I bet the town would love me robbing their coy (sp?) ponds for catfish bait.

The catfish bait soap my family has been buying and useing for years works like a champ and it don't stink. Only thing I have ever seen that came close to rotted chicken livers, or live bait like perch or goldfish.

GoodOlBoy