"Jugging for Cats", or fishing for catfish using a series of air-filled jugs to hold the fishing lines, was once a very popular pastime along the Mississippi river. Harsher fishing laws and increased traffic along the river have made catfish jugging fall out of practice on the Mighty Mississippi, but many owners of private ponds still use this method to catch fish from their stock.
Before starting to jug for fish, you first need to make sure that you're not going to get into trouble for doing so. Make sure that you have permission to set up the line in the pond or body of water that you're going to be fishing, and also check with local officials to make sure that you're not violating any ordinances or fishing during restricted times of the year. You also want to make sure that your jug lines won't interfere with any conventional fishermen... after all, nothing is more frustrating than catching the perfect fish only to have go have the line cut because it tangled up with another line.
To start jugging for fish, you'll need the following:
- Large flasks or bottles with handles (glass or plastic); empty plastic milk bottles that have been cleaned out will do nicely.
- Corks or caps to seal the bottles (corn cobs were originally used, but modern bottle caps are probably more convenient.)
- Fishing lines, with a high test weight; each line should be around 5' long, and you should have 1 for each bottle that you use.
- Hook and sinker for each line.
- Bait for each hook.
Once you have all of the materials that you need, it's time to get your jugs ready. Tie the fishing lines to the handle of the sealed bottle, and attach your hooks and sinkers to the lines. Bait each hook, and then begin distributing the jugs in the water. The jugs should be placed around 10' apart, though if you have to room a little further is acceptable. It's best to use a boat for this... not only does it keep you dry, but if you're in a boat you're not nearly as likely to disturb the fish.
If you're jugging in a pond or other relatively-still body of water, then you can return to shore and watch the jugs for activity. If you're jugging a river like fishermen used to do in the old days, however, then your adventure is just beginning. You'll need to row along with the jugs, keeping up with them while watching both the jugs and the river. This is yet another reason that jugging is more often kept to private ponds or lakes than on rivers.
When a fish takes the bait and strikes the hook, it'll be pretty obvious. The jug will flip over and begin to bob up and down in the water as the fish pulls on the line. Depending upon the size of the fish, the jug might also start to move from the spot where you first placed it... this is why you shouldn't leave jugs simply floating in the water while you're away unless they're attached to another line that's secured to something on shore. Once the fish begins pulling the jug under the water, row out to collect the jug and the fish, and then rebait the hook and put the jug back into the water.
Keep in mind, though, that jugging is a good way to catch a lot of fish... just don't catch too many, or fishing might become scarce in the pond or area that you use.
