For trot lines I like to use something that the smaller bait stealers cannot get off the hook as easy as crawlers. In some states jug fishing is legal. A baited hook connected to a jug floating with the wind and current. Works good for cat fish. Where I go they allow 50 per person. Bring a friend and you can fish 100. Prefer the jugs to trot lines. I do use a lot of night crawlers going for walleye in Lake Erie and sunfish or cat fish anywhere. I would try to fish as much as possible in the spring when catching fish is the easiest. In some states it pays to get fishing license for children so you can keep their limit rather then it going against your limit.