Fishing with a Trotline

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Of course the great majority of what you catch on your trotline will be pan-sized fish. This is mostly what you're after. But it is intriguing to consider that the harvest from a trotline includes not only fresh fish, but sport, adventure and some great stories as well.

Huck and Jim set out a trotline every night going down the Big Muddy. They sure had some stories to tell. That's mostly how Huck and Jim fed themselves on their river trip. Without trotlines they wouldn't have made it.

If you run trotlines, pretty soon you'll have some stories to tell, too. They won't resemble the stories that bass casters and fly fishermen tell, but you might be telling the folks at the bait shop: "And I went out the other morning to run that line and as I approached the float, that one-gallon jug went down like a sinking ship!"

LINES AND THE LAW

Some states do not allow setlines or trotlines of any kind. The great majority of states do allow trotlines, but there are always rules and restrictions concerning the waters where they may be set, how many lines you may set out, how many hooks you may use, what sort of ID tag you need to attach to your line, etc. And of course you will need a fishing license. Be sure to check your state's game and fish regulations before you set out your trotline.

Can't-miss Catfish Recipe:

This simple, tried-and-true catfish recipe works great for other fish too.

1) Wash catfish filets in cold water and pat dry.
2) Make catfish batter of buttermilk with one egg stirred in.
3) Soak filet in batter, then dip and cover in corn meal.
4) Fry in hot bacon grease or cooking oil in non-stick fry pan.
5) Salt, pepper, and dribble on a little lemon juice to taste.

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