Jug Fishing for Catfish Help

[T-Bone]

Anybody run jugs for catfish below the dam at Pickwick. There are a few areas well below the dam I have always wanted to try drifting jugs and am going to do it this summer. Any tips would be appreciated cause I have never jug fished before. I was going to run about 4 foot of line, heavy weight and a circle hook for a rig. Thought I would catch shad below the dam and use them for bait. What do you think?

 

[rsimms]

Remember that jug fishing is illegal within 1,000 yards of a TVA dam.

Circle hooks are a good choice. I always jug fish at night and normally use 6 to 8 feet of line with a single 1/4 oz. split shot a foot above hook.

Obviously shad/cut bait is a great choice. But an easy-to-obtain and VERY effective fall back is chicken breast, cut into one-to-two inch square chunks.

Chicken breast is tough as nails and cats WON'T get it off the hook without getting caught themselves.

 

[T-Bone]

Would you soak the chicken in anything or just use it as it is? 10-4 on the 1000 yards thing.

 

[rsimms]

Would you soak the chicken in anything or just use it as it is? 10-4 on the 1000 yards thing.

I use it straight out of the package... it is my "go to" bait in ALL my catfishing.

 

[Bone Collector]

Chicken Breast is good. Some people say to let it sit out and get to stinkin, but i have used it right out of the package and it works. Never have used it rotten :sick:

 

[TX300mag]

Catwagon used to jug below Pickwick, but I haven't seen him or heard from him in a while. :(