Catfish depth?

[Ranchy]

I have a 12-15 acre lake that has shallow coves around some of the points but is 28-30' in the main channel and levee area, I am going to set some trot-lines this weekend and was wondering would it be better to set them in shallow coves or out in the deep water? Any suggestions appreciated, I know that they are in there but I haven't caught one in years.

 

[rsimms]

Not sure how many you're setting... but I'd suggest both to experiment. Drop one end of line shallow and run it out to deep.

Now I don't profess to know much about "lake cats." But generally in Tennessee River most cats are going to stay deep during the day. However at night they definitely come up shallow to feed. That's why when I'm jug fishing at night, I never set lines more than eight feet deep... even if I'm drifting over 30 or 40 feet of water.

So if you're setting trotlines that are going to sit for a while (day and night), it might not really matter?

 

[Ranchy]

I'm setting two lines and a dozen jugs. I'll be running them all weekend day and night so if one aint working I guess I'll just change it up. Thanks for your input. The last time I set them I used chicken livers and set them for 1-1/2 days and caught absolutely nothing. Any suggestions on a different bait to try?

 

[Fishbait61832]

I like to use live bluegill and string the main trot line across a shallow cove with the backs of the bluegill sticking out of the water. This works great for me!

 

[chip]

I don't like to use liver because the bream will pick it off. I like skipjack best about a 1- 1-1/2" piece, or small shad whole or cut in half. Small bream will also work well, or go to the grocery store and buy some chicken breast or thighs to cut up.

I would would start by putting one parallel with the bank in around 5-8 ft. The other I would try running accros one of the channels.

 

[monsterbuck07]

Chicken Breast...RSimms got me to become a believer on this...wore em out the two times I have been...

 

[Rob R.]

I'm setting two lines and a dozen jugs. I'll be running them all weekend day and night so if one aint working I guess I'll just change it up. Thanks for your input. The last time I set them I used chicken livers and set them for 1-1/2 days and caught absolutely nothing. Any suggestions on a different bait to try?

Try minnows

 

[Ranchy]

Thanks, I'll definately give the chicken a try.