Let's talk catfish noodles/jugs

We ran noodles on gravel pit lakes for years, a slip sinker above the hook runs fine. If there’s current they’re going to drift, nothing you can do about that, but a weight helps a ton when retrieving them with a hook such that you don’t always have to reach out of the boat. I never noticed much difference in catches based on where we set them, you’re casting a wide net and they go where they go.

I prefer a limb line with a live bluegill or green sunfish, in an eddy off the main channel, if you really want to target ops. We would occasionally catch a couple on noodles with live bait but far more would end up in the thickest lay down the bait could drag the noodle into.

Could you do limb lines instead? Thats what I do if I'm worried about current or them going all over the place.

Bradley from NE LA on God's Country Hunting and Fishing catches a ton of flatheads/Opelousas cats. He mainly uses bank poles (jammed into bluff banks overhanging a channel) and limb lines, but he also uses noodles.

Here he is making a noodle.

I run a 5 foot line with a weight opposite of the bait side, plus about a 6in piece of 1/4" rebar in the noodle, if fishing for op bait at dusk with live bait

1 lb cannon ball weights and 150 lb mono works well put speed clips and set up and pick up is easy.

Yea I have built those before, will probably go that route again and use the 3-way swivel and speed clips for the hooks. Need to find a cheaper weight source besides buying lead weights.

Chicken gizzards marinated in heavy salt and garlic works well

Every person that has come with me says I have the best system they have seen. Here are the basics.

I use pool noodles with a pvc pipe in the center. The pvc is a must as the foam will degrade over time and the line will eventually cut through the noodle like a knife through butter.

- run a line through the pipe with a single barrel swivel on one end for the hook line. 3 ft. With a large circle hook.

- 15 ft line on the other end with a heavy weight. a pound is about right.

The hook and weight should be on opposite ends which makes it easier to deploy, pickup, and stow.

I use colors to mark and keep up with my noodles as sometimes a big fish, gator, or usually another boat will pick one up. I mark the start with a green noodle and then put 5 blue noodles before and another green and repeat until finishing with a green one.

Fresh cut perch, shad, or even mullet is by far the best bait unless targeting flatheads which willl require live bait. If fresh cut bait isn’t an option chicken hearts marinated with strawberry jello mix and garlic works good and small. shrimp with the shell on also work.


ETA: I can give specifics for tying the line and the noodle if needed.

I use a 3 way swivel and a lead duck decoy weight. When stored and not using the decoy weight can be compressed around the noodle. Works well for me

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Find some PVC that will fit inside the noodle. Cut a piece of rebar about 4-5 inches long and put it inside the PVC. Cap both ends. Put an eyelet in one cap for the line.

When you put your noodle out, make sure the rebar is at the opposite end of the pipe from your line. This will keep it laying flat on the water's surface. When something takes the bait, the noodle pops up and the rebar slides to the other end of the pipe. Noodle stands straight up. The pipe also makes a nice grab handle during retrieval.

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This right here.