Most Important Aspect of Catfishing Questions, from a rookie

[nickytee]

So I'm relatively new to catfishing, I always have done it but I always used whatever old rod I could find and worms or hot dog to catch them in the Monongahela in Pittsburgh. I usually went for quantity over quality but I am changing my approach and I am trying to become more knowledgeable so I have a few questions. Currently I am using six pound test on a medium action ugly stik with a spin casting reel. I mainly use worms but I have been using blue gill a little more. As for bait I have done a good bit of reading on the topic but it is the specifics of the rod and line that I am confused on. I'm aiming for more 15-30 pounders now so I have been using cutbait, problem is that I have 6lb test and my line snaps, I just want to know what is the best size hook for heavy channels and flatheads, and more importantly will my rod and 6lb test be able to reel the big guys in and, if so, how do I do so in terms of drag setting and whatnot?


-A Novice Angler

[mexicanthreat]

Changing your ways can tend to be difficult. but luckily you have started at a time when the sport is changing. There are a lot of good poles out now that will hold whatever you want but still have the sensitivity if you wanna have a day of fun catching a bunch of eaters on stink bait. My personal favorites are the bottom feeders from Denali rods. But there are many others. Catfight rods from bottom dwellers tackle. Big cat fever rods, Warrior cat rods, and several other. All for around 70 bucks. A decent reel will cost about the same. I would switch up a little bigger on the line. Go to at least a 40lb. I use 80lb due to the fact that I get drug into the snags pretty easy. Consider heavier line if foresee that happening as well. And today's braided lines are awesome. Hooks can be tricky, If you've always been a good ole slam the rod and set the hook kind of guy. Then i would recommend sticking with a J hook or a kahle. Kahle hooks or a wide gap hook will let you use a bigger chunk of cutbait. King kahles from bottom dwellers tackle are awesome. When I chased channels I would use a 5/0 or 6/0 Eagle claw wide Gap offset hook I could get from walmart. Loved them and still do for channels. hope this helps. You will find it hard to switch your ways if you stick with old gear.

[mexicanthreat]

And for the record my avatar is a channel.

[nickytee]

thanks so much man, probably the best, most in-depth response I could've got, thats a nice channel in your picture, what was your setup and where'd ya catch it? I'm trying to get in the 2-3 ft range and anywhere from 10-30 pounds but my finances are low right now so I cant afford a whole new setup at the moment. What do you think is more important, getting a diff rod, i got a 6'0 or 6'6 shakespeare ugly stik medium action, or getting the stronger line? i was just gonna go out and get stronger line today bc its cheaper, also do you think a size 2 hook is too big for the catties I'm aiming for ?

[nickytee]

also, what makes a ctafishing rod different from a normal rod? will a catfishing rod still have average success catching other species like bass and trout?

[Skyline1506]

A catfish rod is typically just more stout. Stronger eyes, bigger and longer handle for fighting power, typically a stronger backbone with a slower tip than one used for other fishing applications. Although with circle hooks that has started to change. Rods are starting to have a faster tip. Typically also a catfish rod is balanced a little different as far as where the power is delivered, usually but not always the backbone section is a little longer and the tip is a little shorter giving them a heavier action so your not snapping rods right at the taper and the weight of the fish is fought in the meat of the rod rather than in the tip section. They are very very similar to what you see in a musky rod just more beefed up.

If you are on a budget, get the line first. That way you don't break off as much. A 2/0 hook is by no means too big. Of you are using a smaller reel that has low line capacity your best bet is to go with a braided line so that you can get more on there. For example 30lb test braid is the same diameter as 8lb mono. Some brands are a little different but that's a decent starting point for reference. Shakespeare ugly cats are a good channel cat rod also and can typically be had at Wal-Mart for around 30 bucks. Shakespeare sturdy sticks in a medium spinning are nice too for around 20 bucks. Shakespeare wildcat rods are fine rods too at around 15 dollars.

[Skyline1506]

As a rule a catfish rod is not going to really work double duty for smaller fish like that. Not that it can't be done, but they will work better as a striper, musky, and larger species rod as that's what they are designed for

[mexicanthreat]

YUP couldn't have said it better myself. My setup at the time was a berkley big game rod ($20 at walmart) A large cheap spinning real ($10 at walmart clearence). And 65lb spiderwire with a 5/0 eagle claw. On cut shad.

[mexicanthreat]

Caught a 1.5lb channel on a 8 inch chub. using 9/0 charlie brown last night. no thats not a typo

[Skyline1506]

Haha, he was hungry