Catfish Gear

Allright guys and gals, I’ve been thinking about the gear I normally use for flatheads. Ugly stick tiger rods and abu 7000’s with 40lb big game. After a while, I’m starting to find out that unless the fish is 20lbs or over, its not that much fun to reel them in. Lets face it, 40lb line and a tuna stick are going to horse them in without much battle at all. I’m thinking about lightening my gear to say 20 or 25lb test trilene and medium action composite or e-glass rods rated up to 25 or 30 lbs. Maybe I will run a 40lb leader for the nasty spots in the river. Basicly, a popular channel cat set-up. As for channel cats, I’m thinking about going to bass tackle, even walleye tackle because its so much fun. Anyone else have this sentiment? Or do I just have A.D.D? I know there are obviusly certain situations that call for heavy tackle as a must but the majority of situations I face on my home stretch of river are from the boat in fairly open water. I’m of the mindset right now that a fish can break just about any reasonble lb test fishing line given the wrong conditions. I have had fish snap off 80lb Power Pro and Whiplash, also had fish break 30 and 40 lb Trilene. Its gets on a rock or a piece of wood and “pop”! I feel I am always going to lose some fish so why not lighten up and enjoys the not so big ones too. Thoughts?

It probably would be fun to use lighter equipment….until you lose a fish of a lifetime.

As fare as Channel Cats, I love using 10lb PP spooled on my Sedona hangin’ onto a Berkley Lightning Med. Action rod. It puts the tackle to the test and makes it a blast drifting for Channel Cats. One thing to keep in mind when fishing lighter tackle, get the fish back into the water ASAP and you will need to spend more time over the boat holding your catch while they get a good rest before they start kicking hard again.

As fare as Flatheads, I am staying heavy. I want pictures of big girls, not the structure they pulled me into.

Bret

I have 4 broken medium rods from trying that on Mendota channel cats summer before last. You could probably get away with that for river channels as they are smaller and less agressive. I guarantee you will lose a big flattie with that approach. I get nervous using 65lb PP. That lighter stuff will get nicked fishing in structure.

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I have 4 broken medium rods from trying that on Mendota channel cats summer before last.

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You need to upgrade from your Medium action Snoopy poles then

Bret,
2 premier st croixs, 1 custom made job from a friend who builds rods, and one a gander mountain label rod. All of them were far from snoopy rods. You get a decent cat here on a medium rod and you won’t move them especially if they get into the weeds. The moral of the story is clear though if you want to catch big fish use proper gear, if you want to maximize the fun of catching 5-7 lb cats go medium. You’ll have fun doing it but I won’t shed a tear when your monster calls and all you get is the sound of your rod breaking or your too light line parting. If you do go this route, go with ugly stick spinning gear. I love mine props to Steve Demars for pointing me at them.

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if you want to maximize the fun of catching 5-7 lb cats go medium.

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These fish were all taken fishing with Medium Walleye gear on the river.
1st Dodge Boy holding 15lbs.
2nd JPMason holding 13lbs.
3rd is myself holding 18lbs.
4th is Joe with a pig at 20lbs.
All caught on the river while drifting.

The medium gear has taken numerous fish in the double digits the last 2 years for me and some friends making for a hoot and howler of a time

Like Tim_ mentioned he is looking for something fun and expects to loose a fish or two. Not that I would use it on the Flatheads like I mentioned but, Medium action gear and Channel Cats only add up to tons of fun

It is all about catch and release when fishing cats for me and the gang anyways

Bret

Nice fish no doubt but I am talking about fish over 20lbs. Notice there are no bellies on those cats. I’d repost a pic showing the difference but all I have is a bitmap which won’t post here any longer. Drifting is another animal and I did catch lots of 15lbers with medium gear. Next summer you bring your medium gear here and I’ll prove my point. Bring and extra rod or two with you. Are those actual weights or estimates? Those fish look remarkably like a 12, ll, 13, and 16 I caught earlier this year.

They are actual weights from a rapala scale, and yes I did mention that it was the river and drifting

You might be missing the point or the question that was asked……I believe Tim_ to be looking at trying something different and challenging, all I am telling him is, yes it can be done

Agreed, I have the same scale. You can do it, but I wouldn’t. I did use medium gear for 10 years on the miss. without too much trouble. Mendota is big boy catfishing and you’ll pay if you don’t respect them.

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It probably would be fun to use lighter equipment….until you lose a fish of a lifetime.

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Good point and its well taken. I have had that mindset for a long time in regards to flatheads.But I know I have already lost some great fish on my heavy gear. I think some fish just arent catchable given certain circumstances. One thought I have is how many fish have I missed because they werent hooked very good and I tried to horse them in? I dont know. I try to fish areas where I can play and land a fish with some confidence. You can fish deep in the woodpiles with 60lb mono and still lose fish in that mess. A year ago I was actually thinking about going heavier. Anyways, good conversation guys!

Whiskerkev…you gotta set your drag a little lighter.

I forgot to mention, what about finnicky fish? I have noticed in many cases the lighter rod and line seems to catch more fish when put up against the tuna sticks. Some people think that flatheads are just raging eating machines, but many of you know they can be very subtle in taking a bait. Almost like a walleye. I heard a guy mention once he had a pet flathead and many times when he fed it, the catfish would just hold the baitfish halfway in his mouth until it stopped moving. Then it would eat, sometimes a minute or two later. I guess what I’m saying is there could be a balance between brute strength and a finesse approach.

Has nothing to do with drag. I fish weeds alot in say 10ft of water with bobbers. As soon as you set the hook the bigger fish dive straight down and swim in a circle around as many weeds as they can get. You have to horse them out or they’ll sit there an hour plus. Don’t mind banter with Bret. He has game and when you get two experienced cat hunters well egos bruise and insults fly but we respect the other at least I do. I disagree that flathead cats are line shy and that lighter line may get a skitish fish.

Good point Kev. You have a very unique situation on your lake. I wouldnt use light gear there either.

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I disagree that flathead cats are line shy and that lighter line may get a skitish fish.

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I agree not to disagree with that statement

No one has gone lighter on flatheads??

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No one has gone lighter on flatheads??

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I used lighter gear for flatheads for many years. I have plenty of confidence in lighter gear if the fishing conditions allow. I have rods of all shapes and sizes to account for any fishing condition.

I simply dont choose to use lighter gear in heavy currents or snaggy situations. The last thing I want is a 50# flat in 5 mph currents that I cant bring towards the boat from down current. It doesnt make a difference how strong the line is if the pole cant put on the pressure when needed.

Lighter rods is ok, but there still has to be enough lifting power for the situation at hand.