Channels July 4Th

[blue79]

Went out this morning at daylight and scattered some jugs.Weather channel said 4-6mph winds this morning but it was was more like 10-12.Pontoon acted like a sail and the jugs were moving to fast so we pulled the jugs in and moved to some calmer water and ended up with 4 cats.Between yesterday and today we have enough catfish nuggets for everyone tonight.Happy Independence Day everyone!

[Sac River Jim]

nice cats! happy 4th to you too

[Chief Grey Bear]

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but according to the Wildlife Code, jug lines have to be anchored with enough weight they can't be moved.

I don't know of anyone actually getting in trouble with it but, my dad a couple of years ago got into quite a discussion with the warden that works T-Rock one day at Roaring River. Dad was less than impressed and it appears this man was going to interpret the rule how he saw fit. Even the at the time head honcho at the hatchery, who was good friends with dad, was at odds with this particular agent. Since then dad won't put a jug on T-Rock. I say take the good book with you and take your chances in court. He won't do it though.

[BilletHead]

Chief I think you only have to put weight on them if they are unattended or out of sight.

From the rule book,

Label Your Jug Lines

Keeping track of your unanchored jug lines reduces catfish waste and jug-line litter. Unanchored jug lines in streams must be personally attended at all times. Unanchored jug lines in lakes must be personally attended at least once per hour. Anglers who cannot personally attend their jug lines can still enjoy jug fishing by using anchors. Personally attended means that the angler whose name is labeled on the jug line:

•Is in visual sight of and close proximity to the jug line

•Can see the jug line bob and move when a fish is hooked and can retrieve it

•Can see and talk to a conservation agent checking the line

•Can get the attention of or deter anyone who is tampering with the jug line

BilletHead

[blue79]

I throw out 15-20 jugs in a line and then i troll back and forth for walleye and crappie(within sight of my jugs).Everything is labeled.No laws broken here! 6 yesterday and 4 today and we just cooked every bit of it today.If we want a fishfry we have to run jugs to feed everyone.I never get a limit of crappie or walleye so we eat those the night we catch them.Conservation Agents boat is parked next to the fish cleaning station and he even said he needed to run some jugs sometime.If there is calm winds i run jugs but if its windy like it always is,we just fish from the dock.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I didn't mean to imply that you were illegal. Here is the rule from the Wildlife Code book:

(4) Live bait traps, hooks, trotlines, throwlines,

limb lines, bank lines, or anchored jug

lines (rendered immobile from the location

where set) may not be left unattended for

more than twenty-four (24) hours or must be

completely removed. Unanchored jug lines in

streams must be attended at all times by the

permittee’s immediate presence. Unanchored

jug lines in impounded waters must be attended

by the permittee’s immediate presence at

least one (1) time per hour. For purposes of

this section, immediate presence is defined as

within sight of the location of equipment in

order to personally claim or identify such

equipment during inspection by an agent of

the department.

I personally like to leave them out all night but can't do that now. Unless I anchor them. Which I guess is not a bad deal really.

[blue79]

I carry 24 labeled jugs that fit perfect in a crate.I think the most i have thrown out is 20.I am wanting to make about 10 jugs that have 50-60 foot of line and fish the river under the lake and try to catch something big.I have never seen a huge cat or flathead on stockton.I prefer to eat the small cats but i would love to catch a big one on stockton and take some pics and throw it back.My brother said in the early 90s they would throw a bunch of jugs out and spend hours the next morning trying to find them.But that was before the laws changed and gas was 80cents a gallon.

[Chief Grey Bear]

You really don't have to set your lines deep to catch the big cats. It is more what area. Dad never had a jugline longer than 10ft when he was Grand and he had numerous cats in the 40+ range. His biggest was 65. And a couple of times he never did find a jug. His favorite jugs was the Tide and other big laundry jugs.

As for eating you are right on with that!!! Those in your pic are the perfect sized as far as I am concerned. Especially if you do some grilling with them. OOOOh baby!!!

That is also a great idea you have there with the crate. Makes it great for storage and mobility.

Oh, I just thought, next time I go see him, he has a hook, I think was a 6/0 stainless, that is almost straightened. I'll get a pic of and post it. That was one big cat!! And to do that on a jug? That is horsepower! LOL!!!

[blue79]

I have 20ft of line on my jugs and i can put some line inside the jug and put the cap back on and set my depth that way but usually the 4-7lb cats i catch are in 20-25fow.If i get in 10fow all i catch is the tiny babys.I need to scout out different spots but i usually stay within a couple of coves away from orleans trail marina to save gas.I have only been south of 215 once in 3 years.Usually stay on the north side of the lake.Everybody says to use cut shad but when i do i dont catch much and i always catch turtles.If i use shrimp i always catch fish and hardly ever catch a turtle.Im wanting to go out at night and use live bait but it would have to be calm winds.Man all this talk about jugging...should have went out this morning

[Chief Grey Bear]

Yeah see, with this type rule, it makes is tough to set some jugs and leave them for the night. Unless, like it says, you anchor them. You need them out over night to get the big boys in my opinion.<br /><br />But at any rate, jug fishing is a freaking blast!! Even baiting up a spot on the bank, along the flats, you can get some killer rod &amp; reel action for carp and cats.<br /><br />We ought to hook up some time and bait up a spot. Good times right there. I could pitch a tent at one the Corps areas and spend the weekend. Whoo Hoo!