Jug fishing is method of angling that doesn't utilize rods or reels. Freshwater and saltwater fishermen use jugs to catch a variety of species from panfish to octopus. The practice has been in use for generations and basically remains unchanged. Two types of rigs are used to fish with jugs: drift rigs and anchored rigs. You can set out one or more jugs depending on the size and species of fish you are targeting.
Panfish
When schools of tasty crappie and bluegill are feeding, you can catch enough for a fish fry using multiple drift jugs. Small jugs, such as syrup bottles or one-gallon plastic milk bottles, are outfitted with a light monofilament leader and a small live bait hook or jig that you attach to the handle. Weight one of the jugs by partially filling it with water or sand to allow you to toss it toward the school. Fasten the end of a long nylon cord to the handle. Secure the remaining jugs to the cord at intervals using bowline knots. Arrange the jugs in a line on the shore or a dock and toss the weighted jug toward the school. The jugs bob when a fish strikes, and you can leave the string out until all the hooks are filled.
Bottom Fish
Anchored jugs allow you to present bait within range of bottom fish. The rig consists of a long leader with a heavy sinker that's attached to the handle of a one-gallon jug. Attach a bait hook to the leader above the sinker and bait the hook with cut or live bait. Tie one end of a nylon cord or strong monofilament line to the handle and secure the other end to a tree, dock cleat or around your waist. Heave the jug into the water and allow the rig to settle so the sinker is at the bottom. You can move the bait at any time by pulling the line that's attached to the handle.
Pelagic Fish
Pelagic fish, such as sea bass and tuna, follow shoals of bait in the open ocean. One-gallon glass wine bottles make ideal drift jugs for pelagic fish. The rig consists of a strong monofilament leader with a live bait hook or brightly colored feather jig that attaches to an eyebolt in the lid. Drill a hole in the lid and use a flat washer with a nylon lock nut on the inside to secure the bolt and screw the lid tightly on the bottle. Fasten the end of the leader to the eyebolt and connect a long length of 1/4-inch nylon cord to the handle of the jug. Attach the other end of the cord to a boat cleat and toss the jug away from the boat. Wear cotton gloves or leather work gloves and retrieve the cord as fast as possible when a fish strikes.
Octopus
Octopus are found in a variety of depths in many coastal waters. Fishermen along the shores of the Mediterranean Ocean catch octopus using ceramic jugs that have a large open mouth. They tie a long line around the recessed necks of several jugs and allow the jugs to fill with water and settle on the bottom. They return the next day and haul in the line to find octopus have taken up residence in one or more of the jugs.
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