New Cat Rod thoughts

Well, I feel the need to get another cat rod for the upcoming year, as well as the Sturgeon Excursion. In the new Catfish Connection Catalogue, there is an Abu Garcia 7000 reel with a 7’0″ or 8’0″ rod. What are your thoughts on this setup? Good or bad.

It seems like a good deal and I think it has the $15 rebate from Abu Garcia as well. A complete set up for $85 does not seem bad.

Specs are as follows:

ABU GARCIA 7000i 7ft BAITCAST COMBO
Item Number: AG7007
Price: $99.95
Number to add to cart:

Specifications:
MANUFACTURER ABU GARCIA
STYLE OF ROD CASTING
NUMBER OF PIECES 1 WITH 7 GUIDES
LINE WEIGHT 15-30#
LURE WEIGHT 1 – 4 OZ.
STYLE OF REEL BAITCAST
DRAG 6 WASHER DRAG
BEARINGS 1 ROLLER BEARING
ANTI-REVERSE INSTANT
SPOOL CAPACITY 325 YDS/17#
OUR STOCK NUMBER AG7007
OTHER INFORMATION E-GLASS, MEDIUM/HEAVY ACTION ROD WITH
ALUMINUM OXIDE GUIDES, EVA FOAM HANDLE.

Thanks in Advance

I take it BK is still sleeping, he should jump on this post real soon
He will answer all your cat rod questions

That is a great setup for sturgeon and river cats. If you were from Wisconsin, I would say get three. I am also in the market for cat rods but I am looking for something a little different for what I am doing. I want 6’6″ medium heavy graphite spinning rods. I would like to pay less than 50 bucks a peice. Anyone have any suggestions.

Farm,

Go with the 8 footer. I once paid more than that for the 7000 alone.

whiskerkev.. thats not the 7000c3 which is a more expensve reel, I know that without looking by the product description. It sounds like the new 7000 version which incorporates the clutch.. but I dont know what it lacks in compared to the c3 when taken apart(might be cheaper gears, etc).

Its a good price for any new 7000 if its going to stand up over time. I am going to guess there really cant be much to the rod. Many factory rods out there rated to 30# test are whips, or the super lines or going to eat the aluminim guides, or both.

Im skeptical.. The rod probably will be useful.. for channel cats.

Why did they mess with the 7000? I have several Abu combos and they have all been pretty good. heavy glass is heavy glass. At that price if the guides go just get a new king kat or Ugly stick when it goes.

Morning!

This whole 7000C3 and C3i has me perplexed.

The new 7000’s have a “better” drag..(carbon) and a true anti reverse. I’ve never seen a manufacturer lower the price of a new improved product. I know they are red in color…but personally i don’t care…as long as they aren’t pink.

As far as the rod goes…I’ve never been one to by combo units unless the dealer knows how and for what I fish. But then I also have to say, I’m getting fussier in what I want to have in my boat or leaning on the fence.

Farmboy, everyone has their own ideas as to what is or isn’t a good cat rod. I think the best advice I could give is to take your on the water experiance, go to a dealer and feel the rods in your hand…might want to take on of your line spooled reels along and attach it. I just have a hard time telling if I like or don’t like a rod out of a catalog.

Perhaps the 7000 is just a bushing reel–no bearings?

Hey Whiskerkev – You asked for a recommendation on spinning rods. I know you said you wanted 6 1/2′ graphite spinning rods but for the last couple of years I have been using fiberglass Shakespeare Ugly Stick Catfish spinning rods (Model UCSP110170) and I really like them.

The spinning rods I am using are fiberglass rods, the rod color is white, 7′ long, Medium Heavy action rated for 15 – 30# line. I like them for three main reasons:
#1 – They are easy to see in the dark.
#2 – They have a light action tip that works good for circle hooks. The rod tip flexes when the fish picks up the bait and allows the fish to load up the rod and set the circle hook.
$3: The price is right. I picked mine up at Walmart for about $25.

I’ve started to do a lot of drifting for channels and these rods work great. I have the rods rigged with a couple of mid sized spinning reels spooled with 30# HighVis PowerPro. I’ve got a lot of channels and sturgeons on these rods and they work great. I’ve got two of the Ugly stick spinning rods and two of the casting rods. These rods are all I used last year for sturgeon, set the drag kind of light and enjoy the fight without horsing the fish and they worked perfect.

Thanks C,

My tactic is casting lit slip bobbers into the weeds. I need to be able to accurately cast so we can get or 6 or 9 baits out and have enough backbone to set a hook. The real kicker is I get them to the boat and they take off like a shot especially the bigger ones. I like graphite to better steer fish and for hooksets. I bought an Avocet medium heavy graphite combo last year for 35 bucks. It is perfect for what I am doing. I broke a lot of medium rods last year. Nothing like cats to expose your gear weaknesses.

Thanks all.

My thought on the subject is to get a set up, and give it a shot. The rod will end up costing nothing after the rebate (reel is $86 without a rebate, combo is $85 after $15 rebate).

I can then try out the “new” 7000i, and see the goods and bads, and if I don’t like the rod, I’ll trade it to BrianK for a new St. Croix the next time he is working at Everts

You can all see this in action at the Sturgeon Excursion It will be the one dragging in a huge sturgeon

And Ralph, the 7000i reel has 1 ball bearing with a washer drag, brass gears and is red, the Pro Matric ($150.00) 7000iCS has 2 stainless ball bearings and a roller bearing, carbon matrix drag, and is black. I think the 7000iCS is the better reel, but also holds a double price tag.

I also have Mike (HOF) looking for a blank for me for a new custom rod if this one turns out to be a dud

Thanks for all your thoughts.

Cool. It’s probably be really easy to put bearings into it if you’d like. I know the process of putting bearings into a 6000 is a breeze.

Alrighty folks…

After some research, and head scratching… I have it figured out.

The “old” 7000C3 that we love is now the 7000C3i. It is still silver, and still retails for a lovely price of $129.95 Catfish Connection carries them, as does Bass Pro, etc. Sorry Brian, they have the lever on them.

The 7000i (notice this is not a C3), is the red stripped down version of the 7000C3i. The 7000i retails for $86.00.

A couple things I noticed is the drag system is different- 6 washer drag vs. Carbon Matrix.

The ball bearings are different- 1 ball bearing vs. 2 shielded stainless + 1 roller.

Gear ratio is the same, line capacity is the same, power handle is the same, the both have instant anti reverse.

Hanson,

How does the ProMatrix 70001CS fit into the grand scheme of things? Is this a new “updated” 7000 or are they trying out some new options with these reels?

I am really confused now.

Thanks,
Brent

Hanson, are you sure the 7000i has instant anti-reverse? It’s not listed as having a roller-bearing, and that is usually what the instant anti-reverse entails.

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Hanson, are you sure the 7000i has instant anti-reverse? It’s not listed as having a roller-bearing, and that is usually what the instant anti-reverse entails.

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Thats what the description at Catfish Connection states. So am I sure? No.
Do I believe what they wrote. Sure.

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How does the ProMatrix 70001CS fit into the grand scheme of things? Is this a new “updated” 7000 or are they trying out some new options with these reels?

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You probably mean the Pro Rocket 7000iCS. How does it fit in? You’ve got me. It looks the same as the 7000iC3 other than the black color and gold handle & spool.

Yeah, Sorry about the wording. Brain Fart I guess

I don’t know what to think on all this. I think I may try to get them side by side and compare.

Does anybody know who would have all 7000 options to look at in person?

Thanks Chris…that does help. I’m recommending you for the next ABU rep opening!

Not having the anti reverse is the only thing I don’t care for with my C3’s…is it a big deal…not really…but it is 2007!

I was doing some snooping around again and have an idea about the 7000iCS or Pro Rocket – International as it is listed in the Catfish Connection catalog.

I’ve read a couple different descriptions where they cite corrosion resistant parts of the reel. The aluminum crank handle & spool are also anodized gold, my guess would be for corrosion resistance as well.

So if I were to hypothesize, I would say this reel is geared more for salt water use, hence the “International” designation on the reel.

I could be way off but thats my guess.

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Does anybody know who would have all 7000 options to look at in person?

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I can tell you cabellas was a bust earlier this year. I couldn’t get them to dig one up, they didnt have 7000s on the shelf or 6500s for that matter, I might have been a little early in 06.
I would be curious to see who has them in stock.

I do know Moore’s in all likely hood carries and he would be glad to let you get a feel for the reels and rods. (I know its a bit of a hike for you Farmboy.)

If I could volunteer the advise of one of the local experts.
Mr. Fisher Dave.
I had the opportunity partake in one of his inservices at Moores this past summer in quest of another stick. (learned much about reels and maybe a little about rods as well, though I think Dave was a little dissmayed at the fact that I walked out with a Quantum Big cat rod instead of one of the latest Boss Rods that he was steering me towards).

Larry,
Those Quantum Big Cats are sweet. I love mine. I haven’t tangled with a big flatty with it yet, but it tamed some great sturgeon this fall.

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Larry,
Those Quantum Big Cats are sweet. I love mine. I haven’t tangled with a big flatty with it yet, but it tamed some great sturgeon this fall.

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I hear you Ralph on the Quantums. If you liked what it did for sturgeon. Then your in for a treat when you hook a nice Flat.

What did you decide to get Brent? Its show and tell time and we all would like to know what you bought and what were the features that made you choose what you did?
Thanks, Bill

I ended up ordering the Combo from Catfish connections, actually two of them. I figure the reels should be decent, and once I get the rods, I can make a determination if they are good or bad. I ordered one 7′ and one 8′ rod. I will keep one and give the other to my Dad.

I talked to Mike at HOF, and he has a blank there that I may have him make up for me if I don’t like the rods, but I need to see them first.

I will let you guys know how the rods look when I see them.

I got the rods yesterday night.

The reels look really good, the only thing I don’t like is a cast lever, instead of my prefered button. It may just take some getting used to however.

The rods are alright. The 8′ is a 2 piece and to call it medium heavy is an understatement. This thing could be used for a caneing in Tailand I think it may end up going away when I can spend some more money, but I want to spool the reels and give them a try with a little weight on there. The 7′ is about the same, just a one piece. I was hoping that the rating of medium heavy would have a softer tip

I guess for what I paid for them (nothing after the rebate) they were worth it

If anyone sees some idiot outside casting this week, you know it was me.

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Hey Whiskerkev – You asked for a recommendation on spinning rods. I know you said you wanted 6 1/2′ graphite spinning rods but for the last couple of years I have been using fiberglass Shakespeare Ugly Stick Catfish spinning rods (Model UCSP110170) and I really like them.

The spinning rods I am using are fiberglass rods, the rod color is white, 7′ long, Medium Heavy action rated for 15 – 30# line. I like them for three main reasons:
#1 – They are easy to see in the dark.
#2 – They have a light action tip that works good for circle hooks. The rod tip flexes when the fish picks up the bait and allows the fish to load up the rod and set the circle hook.
$3: The price is right. I picked mine up at Walmart for about $25.

I’ve started to do a lot of drifting for channels and these rods work great. I have the rods rigged with a couple of mid sized spinning reels spooled with 30# HighVis PowerPro. I’ve got a lot of channels and sturgeons on these rods and they work great. I’ve got two of the Ugly stick spinning rods and two of the casting rods. These rods are all I used last year for sturgeon, set the drag kind of light and enjoy the fight without horsing the fish and they worked perfect.

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Steve,

I picked up a couple of the 6 footers and they will work marvelously.

I have a few Shakephere Tiger rods and one “Tiger lite” spinning rod. They are really great rods and wont put a big dent in the wallet. They go for around 50$ You can pick them up at Moore’s bait.

I’ll second those Tiger Rods. I was really impressed with them troughout the sturgeon season, and fall channel cats. I will be trying out some heavier models for flathead fishing this year.

The new 7000 combo’s, Moores is waiting for them to show up in his catalog(supposed to be this month), he intends to get a couple in for a trial run. He is also looking into Surge rods and a couple other reels to add to the inventory.

There are a few new products on the *menu*, some new items will be hitting the shelves starting in about the middle of this month and its going to be impressive.

If anyone is paging through catalogs looking for new big fish gear… I highly advise not to pull the trigger on a purchase quite yet! Your going to want to stop into Moores in a few weeks!