How to Set a Trotline

Trotlines have as many as 25 hooks.

Trot lines are a productive tool for catching large numbers of fish at one time. The device consists of one main line, and shorter, hooked lines tied to the main. River sets are most common for trot lines, which are stretched from shore and submerged in the water. Trot lines are most commonly used to target catfish, but are effective with any species of fish.

Difficulty:
Moderate

Instructions
Things You'll Need

Trot line
Weight
Floats
Bait

1

Find a suitable spot in a river to set the trotline. Catfish habitat in rivers includes holes, log jams, submerged brush and undercut banks.
2

Secure one end of the trot line on the riverbank. A tree, heavy weights, concrete blocks or a pole driven into the ground are viable options. The anchor object must be heavy enough to withstand the pressure of multiple fish thrashing about at the same time. Tie the end of the trot line to the anchor object.
3

Motor out from the spot on the bank from which you anchored the trot line; allow the the trot line to play out as you move. Bait each hook as you come to it. Nightcrawlers, shad or cut minnows are effective on trot-line hooks.
4

Tie a float -- an empty milk jug works well -- to a piece of line. Attach the float line to your main line; attach it about one-quarter of the way between the bank and the end of the main line. The float line should be long enough to suspend the hooks 1 or 2 feet off the river's bottom.
5

Motor across the river until you have dropped the floats and all the baited hooks. Attach an anchor to the end of the trot line using a 2-foot piece of rope. Cinder blocks -- or 1-gallon buckets filled with concrete -- make good anchors.


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