Trotlining is a very productive method of catching catfish on any lake, but is especially good on old river lakes. Chotard and Albermarle, for example, are two great old oxbow lakes that trotliners love. The river's been falling lately and the fish have been moving back out toward the treeline, so we've moved our lines out away from the banks. But we've kept the lines shallow, just under the surface. Our hooks that are within a foot or two of the surface are catching the most fish.
Trotlines allow fishermen to double up on trips.
In between, I fish for something else, like white bass or crappie. I just carry separate ice chests for the fish. At Barnett Reservoir, trotliners have started catching fish along the treeline in the upper river area. I'm catching smaller fish now than I was in deep water, but I'm catching more. And, besides, I like eating the small ones.