Discover the Nuts and Bolts of Jug Fishing

For the fisherman that really wants to pull in the fish, especially catfish, you need to read this. I am about to tell you exactly what jug fishing is, what techniques to use, and how to gear up to go out jug fishing.

When you boil it down, the concept of jug fishing is just using a float with an attached rig, and baiting it. This concept is all about having multiple hooks in the water, which dramatically increases your chances of being about to find and catch fish. Picture being at 10 different locations with your rod and reel, all at the same time. Jug fishing is exactly what can make this happen for you.

There are really only two main types of catfish jug fishing. And those two types are anchored and free floating.

In the anchored style of jug fishing, you’ll be tying your jug lines to a solid object, such as tree, stump, rock or other set object in or near the water. Another option is to tie off a big weight to your jug line to hold it in place.

Free floating jugs are different in that you do not place any weights or tie offs on the jug, you just get your rig together, and let it fly. Place your jug well, as the wind and waves are going to carry it along, and you want to have an idea of where it might end up.

When you rig up your jug lines, go for a pint to a quart sized jug, use a heavy leader line or twine, a barrel swivel, and a circle hook. When you are fishing the anchored jug fishing style, put your hook just 2-4 feet higher then the end of your line, and put your heavy on the bottom of the line. But if you want to anchor off to a fixed object and go shallow, tie a rope to the jug and then off to a stump or other object. The best bait to use is live perch or shad, but you can use dead shad or perch and still catch some great catfish.