My boy got a new boats and put lights on it. It’s going to be his duck boat. We going camping this next weekend and run some jugs. I’m not a big cat fisherman, so need some set up tips. What kind of bait and how long to make the lines under the jugs? We’ll be on the warrior around eutaw. Just trying to enjoy some time without soo much stress. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Chad

We use pool noodles and empty bottles with glow sticks inside. I make the lines 10’ long, drop them in deeper water so when they drift up shallow the baits on bottom. I prefer to use cut bait but you can use an assortment of things.

Live or cut bream would be my go to with various depths.

I only jug in rivers. But I like to use cut skipjack or goldfish. Though I have done pretty good on Bar S smoked sausages. I use antifreeze jugs with lines between 2-5 feet deep. 275-300 lb trot line and big circle hooks. I also usually always fish the current and the inside of bends.

If fishing at night add reflective tape to the opposite end of the noodle from where you tie your string to. I went to the dollar store and bought a dozen of their 2L bottles poured out the contents and used those. I painted them flo- pink and you can see them a long way in the day. I like the bottles because I feel you can tie to them more securely. Purely preference though. I like to use a 4/0 wide gap hook, and I’ll use 1/8- 1/4 weight to hold the bait down. I had good luck with worms, koolaid chicken and cut bait. Honestly I’d take an assortment to see what they are more interested in. A spot light helps locate at night, I’m sure you’re some lightbar will be more than adequate though. Light just helps to scan real quick. When the bite is on running jugs is a blast.

Little smokies. Live bream. Koolaid and chicken works. Not my favorite. Pool noodles. Heavy trotline. I fish deep. 15 to 20 ft. I fish deep creek channels. I love chasing when you have a big fish on. Make sure to have a pole with a hook to catch the jugs.

I always kept a rattle trap tied on for snagging the jugs when they started running

Paint roller on a 5-6 ft pole is great for retrieving the noodles.