without trying to start a post about white and non-white rods….. i’d like some recommendations for a river catfish rod for 10-20 lb. fish.
length?
action (M, MH, H)
handle (cork, foam)
fiberglass, graphite?
may seem like a basic question but it’s new ground for me coming from a strickly bass’n backround.
What price range are you looking to spend?
My pick would depend on your style of fishing and what species you’re targeting. Most important is gear you have a high level of confidence/comfort with.
For channel cats on cut-bait with circle hooks, I like medium/med hvy glass rod with a soft tip section.
For all around channel cats and flatheads, I like a medium-heavy one piece rod, either composite or 100% graphite (there are some glass rods that guys like as well). I still want a tip section somewhat soft in case of light pick-ups. But, the lower 2/3 of the rod needs backbone. Test this by using some heavy line to check how the rod loads up.
My favorite rod is an old Abu Ultracast composite medium heavy action rod. But I also have a few graphite rods (Shimano Convergence, and Shakespear Catera), and one King Kat glass rod. These are rated for 12-25# line 1/2-2 oz.
These are just what I use. There are some other rods that are nice if you want to spend a few bucks more…if you like glass rods, you might even look at a few saltwater poles.
Shawn
Lots and lots of options! Personally, I like a MH rod with a cork handle. Glass or graphite doesn’t matter a whole lot to me. If you plan on holding the rod a lot (i.e. not in a rod holder), go with graphite. Glass rods get heavy. I like a soft tip, but good backbone.
Figure out what you like and pick out a few. Even a spendy cat rod isn’t that expensive compared to a nice bass rod.
I couldn’t agree with the posts above more!
BTW, the white/black rod thing is just fun for me so don’t take it seriously. 
Another piece to consider is if you’ll be fishing out of a boat or on shore. Most of my fishing is from a boat and I like to stick around the 7 to 8 foot range. Bank fishing for the most part asks for a longer rod to get to the places you want to fish.
I think I can safely say that there is seldom a person that starts catten, that has stuck with the first rod they bought. Although the characteristics of what makes a good rod are the same for everyone…what order and to what degree changes for each person.
In other words, weight might not be too important to one person because he uses a rod holder on the bank or boat, but it’s very important to the person that likes to hold a rod all the time.
For me, I like to be able to hold the rod if I want, a tip that will detect the lightest bites, strong enough to land a record fish, guides that won’t break off or wear out from the use of PowerPro, a cork handle (ONLY because I like the look and feel of cork) a secure reel seat that I don’t have to tighten up all the time….and did I mention black?
Best thing I could tell you to do (and I didn’t look to see where you lived) is to stop in and see Dean at Everts or Bob at Moores Bait and tackle. Get the feel of the rods that are available for your type of fishing.
One word of caution, I went to a bait shop once and asked the sales person for a combo walleye trolling rod and channel cat rod. Walked out the door with a telescopic shimono rod…ok I was just as green as the sales person. 
Go someplace that knows what’s what about catten. Most places will sell you a bass rod and say have a nice day. 
didn’t mention, I do like about 7′ the best, especially in the boat. And I like cork better as well. I do have a nice 8′ offshore angler glass rod nice, but a little heavy.
I do like gear on the lighter side, I’m using 20# mono on most. If I start getting into bigger fish, I may need to rethink the line weight.
Shawn
Quote:
If I start getting into bigger fish
Not only bigger fish..but where you fish.
I know I could get by with a lighter rod, less than 80 pound PowerPro and a Garcia 6500 would work well for me. But because of the wood structure…if I can’t turn the fish, it’s almost a certainty she’s gone.
Make sure the guides are attached to the rod both above and below – those that are only attached below will pop out eventually.
I like a 6 ft medium heavy for my rig. A one peice Ugly stick will cost you 26 dollars. The only reason to go with a longer one is if you fish from shore. I like a heavy rod for flathead fishing because where I fish if you don’t turn them right now they are gone.
I’ve got a 7 foot MH Berkley GlowStick that is two piece that I love for fishing flats and channels.For Flats and Sturgeon I like my 1 peace Shakespear Ugly Stick Tiger Rod. For just channels I have a plain 6 foot ugly stick that I like. Also have a graphite Berkley for fishing the not so good fish this walleye and bass and such 
There you go..you have recommendations for darn near every rod made…for catten.
Hope that helped with the decision process!
Thanks everyone! Don’t worry BK, the white rod post was hilarious to read!
I’m going to try and keep it under $50. I’ll be mostly out of a boat and 50/50 in the rod holder. what i’m using now is my heavyer bass rod which is a 7′ MH lighting rod.
My next problem will be were to put all the rod and reels in the boat because I usually start out bass’n then set up shop after it gets dark.
thanks again.
White BASS rods? Try the classifieds. 
start out bassing… The first hour before dark is a great time to be setup and after them kitties. My biggest ever, came while you were likely pitching for baitfish.
that’s when my biggest bass have come too! And at the risk of being banned from this particular forum:
bassman 1st
catman somewhere after 
Gotta love a man that catches his own bait.
So you take your ranger and tie up to a snag? I take back my advice above the only rods for catfishing are St croix Premier musky rods.
Ever since we were told to let Stuart in…we’ve let everyone in Fox. 
I do give the fox a point for honesty. Does anyone know where I could get one of those bite proof gloves that sully uses? 
Agree with Matt on the double footed guides. Nearly every rod I use has them as well. I do have one rod spooled with 50# power pro, I may move up to some heavier line in the future. Trying to use up all my 15-20# High Impact right now.
Shawn
Ranger? not quite. I’m rock’n a 16′ alum V. don’t own a rod I paid over $50 for. hey I’m Belgian after all!
I don’t think i’ve paid over $50 for a rod either…I do keep an eye open for a hot deal. One of my favorite rods I even got used… 7′ Abu Garcia Ultracast med heavy. Cork handle, great balance with my Abu reel. Nice combo.
Watch for close-out sales at Cabela’s, Catfish Connection, and Bass Pro and you can occasionally grab nice items at about 50% off. That’s how I got my Abu C5 Mag X reel…i’d have never paid retail for that one. I got a similar deal when the Salt Striker bait casters (basically a Trion 66) were discontinued at Cabela’s.
Shawn
I should also mention that only the finest rods will do. I got mine from an exclusive little company called Courbe Sud* which are sold at Ferme et Flotte*. They cost around F75.00**.
* South Bend at Farm and Fleet
** $10.00
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