Catfish jugs are a tool used for jug fishing for catfish that have become very popular over the past ten years replacing traditional setline fishing methods like bank lines, pole lines and trotlines.
Catfish jugs have also made a lot of modern advances from the items traditionally used as jug lines like bleach bottles, soda bottles and other form of fishing. When juggin' for catfish first became a popular form of fishing for catfish it was very common to use different types of bottles, which is why it was often referred to as a bottle fishing.
Catfish jugs can come in many shapes, sizes and colors (dependent on local laws) and while some anglers still choose to fashion their juglines from traditional bleach bottles and soda bottles many anglers quickly become disillusioned with these bulky jug fishing setups that often do not perform well, and look to newer more advanced styles of juglines.
Many anglers have started to build more advanced models on their own or following plans available online to make their own catfish jugs from items like styrofoam, plastic pipe and even swimming pool noodles (closed cell polyethylene foam). Many of these techniques and plans for making fishing juglines were popularized over the internet over the past five to ten years by anglers in Texas and other parts of the Southern United States where catfish jug fishing (or bottle fishing if you will) is very popular.
If you plan to start fishing with juglines there are a couple of key steps you should follow before making your own setups:
1. Make sure you research your state and local laws and determine if jugging is legal in your state and local body of water. While as a general rule this is considered a legal form of fishing in most states there are some water bodies and states that still do not allow this form of fishing.
2. Make sure you familiarize yourself with regulations that may exist in your state regarding jug fishing devices as many states have specific laws regarding the number of hooks that can be used, hook spacing, and even what color the jug devices have to be.
Once you have determined any legal requirements you can proceed with your selection of making the actual jug which is the primary piece of equipment used for this form of catfishing. Experiment with bottles and other pieces of equipment and see what works best for you and your situation (and budget). When you decide to get more advanced you look look towards other plans available like those covered in how to make the best catfish jugs for jug fishing.
