trotlining

[mattd]

i just started running trotlines at Truman lake in missouri, a well known lake for large cats. every time ive done it we baited the hooks with shad (whole and cut) from the same cove it was ran, minnows or live bluegills. we run the lines back in the standing timber from tree to tree just under the surface of the water. everytime we catch just a few really small cahnnels but all our hooks are empty this last time one was stightened. whats the deal. do i neeed to switch to cirlce hooks. i dont think the small cats are shaking the bait off the other hooks because when i say small i mean like a 10 in. fish on a 25 hook line. any tips?

[gc4279]

mattd, definately go with the circle hooks and I would try running them a little deeper just to see if helps.

[fishingsetx]

Im with GC. I've been running lines along time, and I've never had much luck with tight lines. One trick we use around here is to use bouys (milk jugs if legal in your area) and wheeel rims. We tie the wheel rims on each end of the trotline and tie A piece of rope from each wheel rim to a jug. after making sure the jug rope is long enough to reach the surface of the water, drop one of the wheel rims in and start paddling/motoring and baiting the hook as you go. when you get to the end, just pull the line tight and let it sink too. when you go to check your line, just pull one rim up and check the line then rebait and repeat. One thing I've leared is that loose trot lines dont catch fish so make sure your line is tight. Here in texas this is legal, but I'd check your local laws and make sure it is legal there. The best place to set a line is on the outside of a creek channel bend that usually has current. position it so that the current coming down the creek channel washes right onto your line.