Catfishin Equipement

What kind of rod do most of you guys use for cats? Reel? Weight of line? Kind od line? How well would a 7 ft med. heavy St. Croix Premier baitcaster [already have] work in your opinion? You guys are the cat experts in my mind so I figure this is the best place to ask.

Thanks, Bill

I am no expert but, I will give it a shot.
I would use your rod on channel cats. If your talking flatties though not!
I don’t have a ton of money and way to many sports. I get bye with Berkly big game/ heavy rods. I use bait cast reels that will spool me 300yds of 80# PP.

Them kitties sure are fun when you get one pissed off

I’m sure the pros will step in soon and let you know what I am doing wrong

Hi Bill. I think your setup is fine for channel cats. Personally, I would hesitate to use a 150 dollar St. Croix. Only because my rods occasionally get bounced around and stepped on in the dark. I use cheaper E-Glass rods. I like 7 foot rods rated for 30lb line. They generally run around 20 to 30 bucks at Walmart. Ugly Stik Catfish or Berkely Big Game are very durable rods. Match it with a Abu 6000 spooled with 20lb Big Game and you’re set.

For flatheads go twice as heavy. I use 40lb Trilene and Ugly Stik Tiger rods rated for 60lb line.

As already stated.. the rod you have sounds like a good channel rod, too light for the flats.

There are lots of decent cheap rods out there for $20-$35.. the heavier, the better at most retail outlets(not much for really heavy rods around). The 8′ Big Game rods are decent. South Bend Catfish Special rods are very good, but the handles are not the greatest. Glow sticks are ok in the 8′ lenghts but are a hair soft(forgiving). Reflex has some excellent rods also.

Tim called it right with the Tiger Rod being an excellent choice. The 1st one I saw was his, I recently seen a few more and got a very close look and they put most heavy rods to shame.. and still have some tip action. These rods will handle the heavy line needed to try to hoist these fish out of snags… and cost around $50 which isnt bad for a good rod.

Reels and line.. good old abu 6500 are decent, 7000’s are better… cant go wrong with 80# Power Pro.

I think you would be fine with that rod. I use my lighter musky rods all the time. They are actually much better if you need to move a fish from near cover. The other posters are also correct in the gear they use is inexpensive and effective.

Bill – I echo what the other have said about going to less expensive rods. In August I broke the tip off my favorite St Croix Premier Musky rod trying to horse out of a snag using 65# PowerPro. I knew it was a mistake as soon as I started tugging. I said to myself at the time – “don’t do this!”. I could have cried when I broke the rod. Those rods just aren’t made for those heavy (65# – 80#) superlines and that kind of heavy cover use. I have two types of rods I use in heavy cover. I use a Shakespeare Tiger Rod with a 6500 spooled with 65# PowerPro. The Tiger rod is Heavy action, 7′ long, and rated for 30 – 60# line. It has a long butt which makes it a struggle in the rod holder but is nice when you have a good fish on and trying to pull you out of the boat. I got that rod at Sportsmans Wharehouse for $55. For heavy cover I also use a Shakespeare Catera Rod, which is a IM-8 graphite rod, heavy action, 6’3″ long, and rated for 20 – 50# line. I got it a Gander Mountain for $40 in their Musky Rod section. I got the first one at a close out last year for $20 and I liked it so much that I picked up another one this year.

For channels and sturgeon I use Shakespeare Ugly Stick Catfish rods. Mine are fiberglass one-piece Medium Heavy rods, 7′ long and rated for 15 – 30# line. I have two spinning and 1 bait casting setups. It is really fun to catch a nice big cat or a big sturgeon on spinning gear, the fight is a lot more fun. There are several things I like about these rods: Cost – about $25; Color – they are white rods and show up great in the dark; Action – They have a soft tip action which is great for fishing cut bait on circle hooks. The tip gives on the pick up and allows the circle hook to do its magic. I fish these rods when I am not worried about fish dragging me into heavy cover. I have the casting reel spooled with 20# Hi-Vis Big Game mono and my spinning rods with about 20# Fireline. I use whatever casting reel or spinning reel is available left over from my other rods. I don’t use a bait clicker on channels – I leave the reel engaged and in the rod holder and try to let the fish load up the rod before I remove it if I can. Sometimes you will notice the bite and I will hold the rod but I still try to let the fish load up the rod on his own to get a good circle hook engagement. The Shakespeare catfishing equipment is well designed, inexpensive and very effective. If you can’t find it locally, just get on-line with Catfish Connection.

Steve, I wish i would have know about your tip..I was at HOF the otherday. I could have had it fixed for you!

Thanks guys. I bought a 7 ft. Ugly Stick Catfish med. heavy rod and some Berkley 25 lb. Big Game line. I bought the spinning version as will enjoy the fight better I believe. I ordered some No Roll sinkers from Catfish Connection in the 1 1/2 oz and 3 oz weights. I have a Okuma Avenger AV 20 spinning reel that I will try on this setup. If that line doesn’t work with the reel then I will probably go with Power Pro. Thanks for all the good information and tips guys. I need them.
Thanks, Bill