| Jug fishing is a very old method of covering a large | | | | carry my favorite and best producing bait, Redneck |
| area of water with bait, and catch a lot of fish quickly. | | | | SoapBait. |
| It is very low-tech, and easy enough for anyone to | | | | If you want to make your own, you will need several 1 |
| learn quickly. | | | | or 2 liter plastic soda bottles, a roll of braided nylon |
| It is not uncommon to catch your limit of fish in a very | | | | twine, 2 hooks for each rig, silicone caulk, white spray |
| short period of time, using this method. A jug rig is | | | | paint, a permanent Sharpie marker, pocket knife, |
| simply a floating plastic jug with an attached running | | | | gravel, reflective tape, and a brick. The first thing you |
| line, hooks, bait and weight. They are placed in the | | | | have to do to comply with many State laws, is to paint |
| water and pulled in when a fish bites. That's it. | | | | the jugs white. |
| In modern times, jug fishing is used mostly for catching | | | | This also aids in spotting the jugs on the water and |
| channel and blue catfish. Flatheads, or Yellow Catfish | | | | keeping them in sight. When they are dry, put strips of |
| are frequently caught as well. Many trophy and record | | | | reflective tape on the bottom of the jugs. Next, put a |
| fish have been caught on jugs. Before going out | | | | cup or two of gravel in the jug. Fill the cap with caulk |
| jugging, be sure to check your local laws and make | | | | and screw it on the bottle tightly, and allow it to dry. |
| sure it is legal in your area. | | | | This seals the bottle. Next, take about 20-25' of the |
| There are two types of jug rigs: Free-Floating and | | | | twine and attach securely one end of it to the neck of |
| Stationary. Free-Floating rigs are allowed to drift with | | | | the bottle. On the other end, make 2 dropper loops, |
| the wind and current across likely spots, with the | | | | one about 3' up from the end, and the other about 3' |
| fisherman following in a boat. | | | | above that one, and attach the hooks of your choice. If |
| When a fish hits one of the rigs, it is pulled in. The | | | | you want a Free-Floating rig, place a 1/2 oz. bell sinker |
| Stationary Rig has a heavy weight that anchors it to | | | | on the bottom. If you want a Stationary Rig, leave |
| the bottom so that it doesn't drift. Both are very | | | | enough twine at the bottom to tie on the brick. |
| effective. | | | | For storage, roll the line around the neck. Use the |
| You can make your own jug rigs, but frankly, there are | | | | Sharpie and write your name, address and phone |
| commercial ones available that are so cheap and | | | | number on the jugs (to comply with many state laws). |
| well-made that it's not really worth the trouble. Even | | | | Repeat for the number of rigs you want. I usually use |
| Wal-Mart carries jug rigs, ready-to-fish, for a pittance. I | | | | 5 or 6 at a time. I use the marker to number the jugs. It |
| get my favorite rigs online from Jug Fishing. They also | | | | makes them easier to keep track of. |