Jug Line size/design .

[TedKennedy]

I've refined my jugging technique to adapt to the kayak. I use PVC with a weight (piece of stainless bar, or rebar, whatever you have) Schedule 40, 1", about 26" long. Pool noodle length of about 12-14" IIRC.

I cut some 1" copper tubing and added one cap. Bent over some brazing rod into a "U" that sticks out of the copper. Melt lead, fill copper, result looks like a big copper shotgun shell with a brass loop on one end. Weighs 1.25 lbs, which seems optimal for the two rivers I fish.

I use big circle hooks - one 18" off bottom, the other a foot or so above that. Sometimes I may run hooks closer to the surface. Water conditions dictate that.

I almost never lose fish, and rarely does one die. I run my jugs frequently, they have my name, etc...on them, and I can assure you, with the time and money I have invested in them I don't neglect them.

Nothing like watching some big 'ol bouncing jugs in the summertime!

 

[TedKennedy]

With the weight inside and at the end with the noodle, set the jug so it's flat on the water. When it gets bit the skinny end tips down and jug stands up.
Sometimes wind or waves or gar will give you a "false alert" but it works pretty well.

 

[Bocephus123]

Another Jugs by burt user here.

Pics and methods please

 

[wolfkpr]

I have discovered, as lead weights arent cheap, that small soda or gatorade bottles full of sand make fine bottom weights for cheap.

 

[TedKennedy]

I have discovered, as lead weights arent cheap, that small soda or gatorade bottles full of sand make fine bottom weights for cheap.

Yep. I was fortunate to have a plumber buddy give me a whole bunch of lead pipe years ago. I cast those weights for my jugs in order to reduce space. Before I switched to kayaking, I used one gallon bottles for jugs and a variety of scrap iron for weights.

 

[turkeyrun]

Swim noodle, cut into 4 pieces. 15-18" long. PVC pipe through the noodle. 50' - 60' of line. Large circle hook (20/0) on 18" leader, 2' above weight. 2nd, 3' up. Sometimes a 3rd hook, 3' up.
Solo cup filled with cement, wire loop imbedded.

We normally run 12 or 18, all tagged.

Only had 1 dead catfish, missed / lost very few, using stainless circle hooks.

Baited and run at daylight, noon and dusk.

 

[Master Carper]

I like gallon jugs that have a good solid handle on them.

From jug to sinker is 16 feet. Sinker weights vary from 3 ounces to 18 ounces, depending on wind and current speed.

The first 10/0 circle is 1 1/2 to 2 feet above the sinker.

The second 10/0 circle is 2 feet from the other hook.

If a third hook is added, it will be 4 feet above the higher hook on the line.

All line used is the relatively stiff tared line that has a test rating of 175 pounds. It does not fray easily and will handle a lot of catfish before needing replaced.

Bait used is cut shad or live perch.

When through jug fishing, the line, hooks and sinker are put inside the jug to be completely out of the way.

All jugs have a waterproof label attached to them, with all information as per ODWC rules and regulations.

When jug fishing at night, the bottom on one set of jugs will be painted fluorescent orange, and the other set will be painted fluorescent chartreuse so they can be easily seen with a flashlight or spotlight.

 

[TedKennedy]

When jug fishing at night, the bottom on one set of jugs will be painted fluorescent orange, and the other set will be painted fluorescent chartreuse so they can be easily seen with a flashlight or spotlight.

You can't tell in the pics, but the "up" end of my jugs have DOT reflective tape on them. That stuff picks up light like crazy. Easy to spot from a good distance.

 

[wolfkpr]

With pvc/pool noodle- if you use a “T” fitting on the end you tie your line on- it lets you unwind enough line to reach bottom, then lay the line over the “t”- keeps it vertical in the water, so it doesnt just unwind all the way and lay on the bottom ( when in water shallower than the full length of your line). You can use the flexible “ strap” weights they sell for duck decoys- they flex which lets you wrap them around the pvc pipe for storage. ( i still attach the heavier bottom weight with snap swivel when putting them out)

 

[Powerman620]

I built a few different sized jugs and found that the large styrofoam ones the fish got off of more often.
The ones with heavy bottom weights the fish would get off of at the same rate as a heavy jug.

The lighter jugs that can go under easier or had no weight the fish stayed hooked up and the lines were not as twisted.

I see my large jugs from a distance bouncing up and down in the water only to get to it and no fish and slimed line.

Channel cats were the culprits of jugs bobbing up and down.
Most hooked in the side of the mouth I did hook some that had the mouth torn in the corner from a previous escape from a hook.

So my theory is make a jug that pulls under easy enough to keep from ripping lips.
I caught more fish off jugs with minimal weight 1/2 oz on no weight.
When I drift fish the Arkansas river using fishing poles I get more fish with NO weight or 1/2 oz.


How do you guys set your jugs up?

For years I have used 2 gallon jugs with old window weights. Sometimes I will break a little off weight to lighten it. Jug is big enough it is easy to see in a big lake and hard for larger fish to take under long. Have caught lots of cats from small to 70lbs.