CATFISH Limbline - NOT Bluegilling... Part I

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

PART I - Went to the Edisto with Lori today and got a few ideas for limb lines. For those unfamiliar with it, a limb line is a baited hook suspended just beneath the waters surface, but attached to a green tree branch which hangs out OVER the water.

Here is my idea, as foto montage:

The basic apparatus: 6-8 feet of sash cord (#18 woven nylon twine) large swivel, 8" length of #12 insulated copper wire, and ID tag made from duct tape (required by law in SC.

The leaders: #2 snelled bait holder hooks, homemade line clips, styrofoam block for holding the leaders.

The rig, assembled. The clip is a kind of doubled, or "S"-hook. One side into the swivel eye, and the snell loop is passed over the other leg.

It very simple to make - just bend a drapery hook into the shape shown!

The Working End. Take note of the TWO two knots here. The lower one attaches the swivel to the main beam; it's a simple Improved Clinch knot. The upper knot is a two loop slip knot, tied as terminal end to *double* the main beam.... it is actually a 4' DOUBLED line at this point.

This is the "magic" part. Limb lines are mostly set late in the day. The bait is suspended just an inch or two deep at most. They are left overnight, untended, and checked again in the AM.

So along comes Mr. Catfish, Nocturnal Forager. He homes in on the  bait, takes it, and turns to run - and the slip knot SLIDES!

The twisted end of the wire rig is shown here with it's large eye loop. The loop facilitates the line slipping, but halts it when the knot gets to the eye. The slip knot itself is only taut enough to hold the bait in place and gives under the pull of a fish. This doubles the lines length and the hooked fish can go back into the seclusion of the water.

If this didn't happen, the fish would thrash around at the surface on a tight line. This would wear it out or attract attention. This way, the fish is kept hale and strong, and we thwart most line poachers and alligators!   Cont'd....

Part II, Limb Line.

Here is how the rig looks, complete with poly foam "bait."

It's ready to catch fish:

The insulated wire is left long on purpose: it is used to attach the rig to your selected branch. Loop it around the branch and back over itself, making a very strong connection. Later, it is very easy to release and take off the limb. I could not pull the one seen here off the branch, even with the branch held beneath my feet!

The ID tag is incorporated into the rig so you don't need a separate one. I used duct tape because it is strong, weatherproof and discrete.

Cost for one rig:

Cord - from the salvage stash .... $0.00

Swivel - 12/$1.26 at Walmart .... $ 0.10

Snelled hook - from my fishing stash ..... we'll call it $0.10

Clip - 25/$0.88 at Goodwill .... $0.04

Wire - from the salvage stash .... $0.00

Duct tape - You're kidding, right? We'll call it $0.01

Total..... $0.25

I've salvaged items here and saved some money; it's my nature to re-purpose stuff. But you get the idea; these are low cost.

The hook clip is crucial. These make it safer to run the rig, since you attach the baited hook separately and only at the very end. I'll be using a kayak this season and this will be a great improvement. Try tying lines in branches, juggling open hooks and bait, all while balancing in a kayak, paddling, holding on to branches, fending off snakes....well, you get the idea.

You can also prebait the hooks, if you are using dough baits, shrimp, soap, punch baits, livers.... all can be pre-hooked and kept ready for clipping on. And when you catch a fish - you don't have to fool with unhooking it. Just take the clip off, leader, fish and all! Then remove the line from the branch and move on.

You can get your hook back later when you process the fish.

Note: Most states have specific guidelines for set hooking methods (trotlines and jugging are included) so check that out first where you live. Usually, limb lines are allowed only at night and there are limits as to how many you can run. Also, it is normal that you cannot possess game fish or equipment to catch them with, when you're set lining. So double check if you wanna try it.

Tight Lines and Bouncing Branches!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Allen,

Years in the South have taught me that snakes can and will lurk in branches over the water. This is something that happens more in the warmest months, of course. But I just assume they are always there....

I don't have a sonar unit on my little kayak, and I doubt I'll mount one.

I could sure sound for depth with a weight, though. I have a bunch of weights I get at work - large round dies actually with a hole in the center. They look like stainless steel donuts, about 1.5" tall and around. With a stout cord, marked in feet, they could plumb the depths easily and be nearly snag proof.

I do understand the shoal (riffle)-pool-flat model for streams and rivers, aling with the outside bend concept. I confess I don't have experience with this stuf, though, at least from a catfishing perspective. This is a work in progress; black water streams are new to me. I mean, I've fished on the river plenty but Ive never purposefully hunted catfish in it

If youve seen some of my pics of the Edisto, you'll notice that it is mostly overhang - branches and trees, shrubbery and snags. Finding the right combination of deeper water and tie off points should be possible. And since SC does not allow game fishing gear in the boat when set lining, I wont have to worry about fishing poles!

[Allen Morgan]

The little creek I've been paddling lately, which is about the same size as your Edisto, but a little deeper, is much the same as the Edisto.  Lots of low over-hanging trees.  You can't go 100' without seeing a limbline somewhere, abandoned jugs here and there, and even a few trotlines here and there.

I've only seen one snake.  Lots of turtles, beavers, etc.  Lots of snags EVERYWHERE.  I've been fishing this creek, off-and-on, for a couple years now, but rarely catch anything, since I'm usually in an inundated section of the creek, with little or no current.  I've been using a homemade brush clamp to tie off to snags with, and just last week finished a light-weight anchor system for my kayak.

I've thought about running some limblines, but haven't actually done it.