This may be a real stupid question. I have a couple 8ft trolling rods and linecounter reels that I was going to get rid of, but wondered if they might work for shore fishing? Anybody use anything like this? Thanks! 
We’ve used them from time to time when we needed extras, they worked out just fine. This was out of the boat but we would cast them out a little ways as you would off shore. I only fish cats 3-4 times a year and wouldn’t consider buying “cat” gear for those few times. I have enough other rods that will substitute just fine.
BIRDDOG
Thanks BIRDDOG!
It’s funny, I just ran outside and tied on a big socket to the end of my trolling/linecounter combo to see how far I could chuck it! 
The neighbors must think that I’ve finally lost it!
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This may be a real stupid question. I have a couple 8ft trolling rods and linecounter reels that I was going to get rid of, but wondered if they might work for shore fishing? Anybody use anything like this? Thanks!
Brian – I would recommend holding on to them. They would work great for drifting or trolling for cats. There is an excellent article in the In-Fisherman Catfish In-Sider 2008 Guide titled “Presentation on Plane” that describes a catfishing trolling system for lakes and reservoirs. That technique should prove effective on the St Croix. Those line counter reels could come in pretty handy for this catfishing technique.
I think those combo’s would work good as well. What action are those rods? I use a Salmon trolling rod 8’6″ MH #15-#30 with slow action tip as my channel cat rod with Circle hooks.
They are 8’6″ Daiwa trolling rods, medium action I believe. The reels are Okuma linecounters spooled with 20lb power pro. I think they will work out nicely. I just have to practice casting these bad boys now! 
What size circle hooks do you use generally?
The reels sound fine to me. 
3/0 to 5/0 with 4/0 as my preference.
Your mileage may vary.
There will be situations that arise where you’ll be able to use the reels and they are castable to a degree. There are a lot of circumstances when fishing from shore where you aren’t required to make long accurate casts and a trolling reel will get you there.
I use 2/0-6/0 depending on bait size and the size of the fish I’m targeting. But 4/0 are the most common size I use as well.
I actually use Fenwick Riggersticks and trolling reels for tightlining… the soft tips on these work nicely for circles, for channels on down to carping. I’ve got 2/0 to 5/0 hooks and one to three ounce lead.
I have some King Kat rods with Penn 209’s I use for flats, as the stiffer tips work nicely for driving home the hooksets on big Kahles.
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