Making 'jug lines' with a Swimming Pool Noodle

In an earlier post I explained how the boys and I like to take our canoe, The Garfish, out to a bayou near our home that is called Bayou Nezpique.  Sometimes we just paddle and enjoy the view and sometimes we fish.  Our success in fishing can best be described by the sign below and illustrates why it is called fishing and not catching:



A funny sign I saw at Big Lake

To improve our chances we decided to make some 'jug lines.'  Jug lines are usually made using a milk jug, bleach bottle, or any other jug that acts as a float.  You can set your jug lines and go fish elsewhere and come back and check the lines when you see them moving.  A buddy of mine made some but used a swimming pool noodle instead.  They float and are brightly colored so they can be spotted easily.  He gave me one of his to use to model ours against.  Here's what you need to make one for yourself:

• 1 swimming pool noodle
• A roll of heavy duty fishing line
• Some hooks
• Some weights
• A knife

A list of items you'll need to make your own

Use your knife to cut the noodle into several pieces.  We made them 8 inches long, but it really doesn't need to be exact. 

Cutting the noodle

Then cut the fishing line.  We made six jug lines so we cut six pieces of string.  The length of the string will be determined by how deep the body of water that you will be fishing in will be.  We cut ours in 10 foot lengths.



Cutting the fishing line

Tie a tight knot around the noodle because you don't want the string slipping off the noodle when you hook that trophy fish. 

You don't want to put your hook on the very bottom because you don't want it to catch on any obstructions like tree limbs that may be on the bottom of the water.  We attached our hook about a foot off the bottom.

Attaching the hook

Finally on the very bottom, attach your teardrop sinker weight.  This weight has a rounded bottom so that it doesn't get snagged on anything on the bottom of the body of water.

Teardrop sinker

Below you can see how the line is made.

The business end of the noodle line

The beauty of this arrangement is that you can roll up the line around the noodle and stick the hook into the noodle for storage.  You don't have to worry about tangling or your hook catching on anything.

A nice, tidy package

You can store your lines in a milk crate, box or plastic bag.

Ready to catch fish?

The boys and I were anxious to go try out our new creation.  We launched the Garfish in the bayou and set out our lines using a stinky bait to attract fish.  We paddled around for several hours fishing with our rod and reels, but had NO BITES.  After 3 hours we went back to check our lines and the bait was still on them and again, NO BITES.  It hasn't rained in an appreciable amount of time and the water was low and very, very muddy, looking about like hot chocolate - not good for fishing. 

We disappointingly rolled up our lines and headed back home.  We'll wait for a good rain and better water conditions and we'll try again.  If at first you don't succeed...