Jug Fishing on Lake Martin

            Using “jugs” is a time-honored southern tradition that the fishermen on Lake Martin continue to enjoy.  I’ve had calls from newcomers to the area this week asking just what are the rules and regulations for this type of fishing.  There aren’t any, just have a fishing license!  And get ready to catch some good fish and a lot of them!  

            The baits of choice range from spot tail minnows (if you can get them) to jumbo shiners (the bigger the bait, the bigger the catch) to chicken livers, cut bait or that smelly catfish bait (if you are after those big catfish).  The jugs of choice range from 20 oz. drink bottles to 1 qt. oil bottles to 1 gal. bleach jugs.  The new kid on the block is the foam noodle.  Yeah, the kind your kids and grandkids love to play with so much.  Better not let them see you cutting them up, or you’ll be in for a fight!  Use some heavy test line and set them for different depths.  For night fishing, invest in some of that ¾” reflective tape from your auto parts store to attach to your jugs.  There are a lot easier to keep track of when you can see them well. And you’re going to want to use a pretty heavy weight, ½ oz. or so, not so much to hold the hook down, but to keep the wind from blowing your jug around so much.  When you see that jug move, you want to know there’s a fish moving it around.   FYI, I’ve had some reports of good stripes being caught on jugs this week. 16 – 20 lbs.  So give it a try!  Set out about 20 or 25 jugs, sit back with a good cup of coffee and wait for the show to begin!  It’s so much fun chasing those jugs down.

            I had an old timer tell me this week that May through August are the peak fishing months. He prefers night fishing, of course.  He said the time of the year when the morning water temperatures reach 60 degrees on the way up in the spring until it drops below 60 in the early fall produces some really great catches.  According to him, the warmer the water, the hungrier the fish!  Makes sense to me, because this fellow never comes back from a fishing trip empty handed! It seems to me that fishing, like life, looks a whole lot more appealing with a positive outlook!         

            You can contact me by email at dduck821@windstream.net with your latest best fishing story or any hints you would like to pass along.  I would love to get photos of your biggest catches.  Together we’ll fish Lake Martin bringing in those big catches and telling even bigger stories! 

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