Build a Trotline for Catfish Fishing

Check the regulations concerning a trotline in your state, in particular, the maximum number of hooks and hook spacing. I like to stay clear of violations and mis-counts by the ranger by simply making my trotlines hold less hooks than the maximum and space the hooks with a clear margin so that the ranger does not have to measure them, but can see that they are spaced farther apart than the minimum.

Use a good tarred twisted nylon cord of at least 250 pound test for the mainline, plain swivels (no snaps) of an adequate size to slip over the mainline easily, 150 pound test braided or twisted nylon for the drops and your favorite style hooks.

To start, thread the number of swivels over the end of the mainline, using one three-way swivel on each end and in the middle. Slide all of the swivels down the mainline leaving the first 30 to 50 feet empty. With the line on the other side of the swivels still wound up, tie an overhand knot on both sides of the swivel nearest the 30-50 foot end. Continue extending the trotline and tieing overhand knots on both sides of each swivel, maintaining a distance between each swivel longer than the minimum dimension required by your state's regulation.

When finished, simply wind up the line on a spool similar to the wire spools that electrical building wire comes on.

Next, using the 150 pound nylon line,make the proper number of droppers for the hooks. Measure and burn the line into 30 to 36" lengths over a candle, being careful of the molten ends until they cool off. Tie both ends of one piece together in an overhand knot, open the loop and pull the knot tight. Close the loop with the knot on the side and tie an overhand knot about 2 inches from either end to create end loops.

Poke the loop through the eye of your favorite trotline hook and then push the hook through the loop like a slipknot. Attach the line to the trotline swivel in the same manner.

The three three-way swivels were used to allow a place to tie a float with the required identification tag and to allow suspending the line at a chosen level, such as just avove the thermocline. For instance, if the thermocline is at 20 feet, tie an 18 foot line between a float such as an empty 2-liter soda bottle and the third point of the swivel. This will suspend the hooks just above the thermocline.