Catfish rods

What’s your thoughts on a decent inexpensive cat rod? I have some friends expressing interest in going catfishing and I would rather not have them use my bass gear.

First, are we talking channel cats or flats?

For channels, my cheap go-to rod is a Shakespeare Wildcat 7′ rod. I think you can still get them at Fleet Farm for around 15 bucks. I own two of them paired up with heavy spinning reels, and I have never thought one was being stressed at all, even with big channels (up to 13lb channels).

For flats, maybe a Berkeley Glowstick (30-40 bucks). The reel is going to be your expensive component.

Others will have opinions

A lot more channels than flats. Every once in a while we get a good flat but the majority are channels in the 10 to 20 lb range.

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What’s your thoughts on a decent inexpensive cat rod? I have some friends expressing interest in going catfishing and I would rather not have them use my bass gear.

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What is inexpensive? And are you chasing flats or channels?

You can always just go with a white rod from fleet farm, but there are times you will despise it. Such as housing a large fish in in current, or stopping one from going into a snag.

Reels, there really is no cheap option, unless you want a cheap plastic reel, with no baitrunner. Decent reel, you’re looking at 50 plus.

You could get a decent reel and a cheap rod for under 100, but if you are going to spend that much, really, you ought to just spend the additional 40 or 50 bucks on a good rod, that will last you a long time.

For about 150 you can get into a really nice setup. Quality reel with a baitrunner, and a good cat rod.

And if you are planning on chasing flats, do not waste your time with a muskie rod or regular heavy rod, get something nice, you will be glad you did.

I will post up some info/links when I’m not on my phone for cheaper and also better stuff.

And if you’re located near the metro, you’re welcome to stop by and see the difference between a cheap rod/reel and a custom setup.

Thanks for the help guys. The river I spend most of my time fishing typically does not have much current other than the spring of the year. Channels are the main target with a bonus flat that shows up once in a while.

I read your post as inexpensive and not your primary target at most times. PHIGS gives some good advice if you are going to go hardcore into catting or want some nice rigs to invest in and last a lifetime. It is my opinion that you can get by with some cheaper gear for your application though.

Just go to walmart and pay $40 for a Berkley cat combo. Either that or tell your friends to get their own stuff.

Seriously Chad, you have what you need in the heavy bass gear. You won’t get scales on them.

Can’t say the scales or lack there of is what I’m worried about. Just don’t care to break expensive flippin sticks

I have 4 cabelas King Cat rods, Use them for Channel cats 10-20 lbs on the red river, They work great and only cost 30$ for the rod/reel combo.

Ugly stick hands down. I own 6 medium heavies that were 26 dollars a piece. I put some Cabelas fishhawk spinning reels on them and haven’t had a problem in 8 or 9 years of usage. A little armour all on them once a year and they look like brand new. You can get slightly cheaper rods but these things are bulletproof. I know infisherman Doug Stange calls them the best channel catfishing rods ever made.

The hook here is they’re for someone else to use, basic cheap is how I’d go, the ugly stick and a lower priced reel, if they want better…they can buy it.

For you, not sure of rod, but the Shimao Cardiff would work for both cats, and is only a bit over a $100 imho

Al

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And if you are planning on chasing flats, do not waste your time with a muskie rod or regular heavy rod, get something nice, you will be glad you did.

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So what if all I have are muskie rods? What would be a good rod for flatheads in the $30-$50 range?

Musky rods work fine for flathead fishing in my opinion.

I concur with WhiskerKev the best rod out there is the Ugly Stik Catfish. For channel cats all I use is Shakespeare Ugly Stik Catfish rods. You can get them at most Walmart stores for around $20. They are 7 foot rods, medium action, rated for 15-30 lb line. The spinning rod model number is UCSP110170 and the casting rod is UCCA110170. I use 30# test PowerPro line on my channel cat reels and those rods handle that line test just fine. I even use these setups for sturgeon and they handle sturgeon just fine too. Set the drag so you don’t pull the hooks loose and those rods will fight just about any heavy fish even the occasional flathead.

On my Ugly Stik spinning rods I use Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder reels which run about $45 or so. They are nice spinning reels which handle channels well. I don’t crank down my drags because I’ve learned the hard way that you lose too many fish from pulling the hooks loose.

So if you want a channel cat spinning combo for channels you can get into a good rig for about $65.

Thanks guys. I just got a pair of the wildcat rods. Seem like they should do the trick. Now just need to take the time to get out and fish for some skin rather than scale!

You’ll like them, I have a couple. Made by the same company that makes Ugly Stiks, just a cheaper version.

Have fun!

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Thanks guys. I just got a pair of the wildcat rods. Seem like they should do the trick. Now just need to take the time to get out and fish for some skin rather than scale!

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sounds good! i have a couple of those also. My post was aimed more towards flatheads. didn’t meant to scare you off or anything.

heck, i a lot of times will just use my walleye rods for channel cats, and put a spool with bigger line on it.

have fun with it!

Any mid to large size Flatty should put one heck of a bend in that wild cat rod, should be alot of fun, my buddy who frequents the red river of the north catches a whole lot of huge channels on his and its held up great.

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And if you are planning on chasing flats, do not waste your time with a muskie rod or regular heavy rod, get something nice, you will be glad you did.

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So what if all I have are muskie rods? What would be a good rod for flatheads in the $30-$50 range?

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there is nothing wrong with using a muskie rod, but this is just my opinion – if you are going to buy something specifically for flatheads, get a rod designed for it. they are much more heavy duty.

the rods i had made from RF Sports this spring are some heavy duty equipment.

http://www.rfsportsinc.com/store/Store_Sub.cfm?Category_ID=1&CFID=76162765&CFTOKEN=39243596

just my $.02 is all.

also, RF Sports makes a rod that they do not advertise anymore, the Catfish Safari Flathead model.

mine cost me about 65 bucks. it is a custom built blank, and you also get to choose wraps, handle color(s), guides, and label on the rod. a very good deal! and only took them like two weeks to build them and ship them out.