How to How You Can Fish For Catfish Using a Throwline
This technique is a variation of a trotline but more suited for fishing from the riverbank and in locations where it is impossible to set a trotline because of space.
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Things You'll Need
- 100 pound test nylon line
- 6/0 7/0 or 8/0 hooks
- heavy swivel snap
- Weight (heavy steel bolt) etc.
Instructions
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I've used this kind of throw line for quite a while in areas where a trotline will not work and had very good luck with it. Baiting and checking it are fairly easy. First determine the depth of the fishing hole using a portable fish finder or weight and string. Cut your throw line about 5 to 10 feet longer than the depth of the water depending on where you will be tying it.
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Tie the end of the line to a heavy bolt, window weight, lead weight etc. Using a large swivel snap and 6/0 to 8/0 hook, make a leader approximately 5 inches long. Tie this leader into the main throwline, about a foot up from the bottom weight. You can gather up the line, doubled and make a loop (knot) and tie your leader into this. I don't recommend putting more that two hooks. One is a lot easier to throw without getting tangled or hooking yourself.
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Bait the hook with your choice of bait ( I prefer live perch that I catch in a trap beside the dock). Lower the line down until you tag bottom and tie the slack to a heavy, limber green limb that will handle a large fish. The bigger the hook and bait, the bigger the catfish you can catch although going to bigger baits and hooks will mean you will not have as good of a chance at catching the smaller ones. We normally fish a couple dozen of these type lines with a small bell attached to the branch so that we can hear when we have a fish on. Local and state regulations vary so find out if this type of rig is legal in your Fish and Wildlife Regulations guidebook. Lines are usually required to bear and tag indicating the owner and the date that they were set.
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Tips & Warnings
Check lines often and re-bait.
Avoid shallow water where you will mainly catch turtles.
try different baits on different lines to find what is working.
Fish crave some baits more that others at certain times of the year, such as crawfish when they are active.
Good Luck!
When hand throwing lay your line out along the bank, and be careful that it does not hook you as you are tossing it.
Don't set lines where people or pets swim.
