Cat max rod...

[hooklineandsinker]

I bought a berkley cat maxx rod that is like a broomstick. I am worried it wont set the hook as well as my other catfish rod that is more flexible. What are your thoughts on broomstick rods? I am running 80lb test spiderwire braid on the broomstick and 30lb test fireline braid on the more flexible rod.

[hooklineandsinker]

I am fishing a smaller river called the Vermillion river.

My set up : Egg Sinker to a Beed to a Swivel. Tie 8in of braid from the swivel to a King Kahle hook. I usually use northern hog suckers bluegill and chubs. I will take any tips that you all would give me.

[Smoothkip]

I like a heavy broom stick rod for flatheads. I don't think you will have any problems getting a hookset with them rods. Does berkley make the cattmaxxes now?

[Smoothkip]

Also what rods are you used to? I've used a catmaxx and I didn't feel they were too stiff? Some guys swear by them rods but are plagued with insert issues I'n the eyelets.

[hooklineandsinker]

Its a bass pro shops cat maxx rod my mistake The middle eyelet cover already fell out but bass pro said they would replace it at no cost. I may take them up on their offer.

[hooklineandsinker]

I have used lighter action rods before. They were stiff but nothing like this. On my shakespere ugly stick cat rod the tip is more sensitive to see the bite and the rod has a lot more give when I set the hook. I may be setting the hook to hard on my catmaxx because there is no give and I am missing them.

[Smoothkip]

They also might not have the bait all the way I'n there mouth also. Right now I to have been experiencing this. These fish are starting to spawn and will pick the bait up and crush it without engulfing it.

[Skyline1506]

you will be fine stiffer rods will bury a hook.

those are probably stiffer than what you are used too but i am with kip, they are not bad.

a pool cue is the perfect flathead rod if your using clickers. i use daiwa beefsticks a 40lb fish will barely bend the tip

[Skyline1506]

i would not run a braid leader but that is just me. i would get a spool of heavy mono to make up your leaders

[bobbybobber]

i know alot of guys running the catmaxx rods and love them

[hooklineandsinker]

Thank you everyone for the imput Ill keep using it and try and get used to the change

[katfish]

Bud
The stiffer your rod the more power you deliver
The flex of a rod means your hook is moved less.
The less stretch in your line the greater your hookset.
The shorter the distance from rod to hook the greater your hookset pressure.

The sharper your hook is lessens the amount of force necessary to penetrate catfish.

Sometimes a flexible rod is an advantage (tightlining circle hooks) but a stiffer rod will deliver more force to set hooks.

Some of my old flathead rods were described as a pool cue with eyes.

[hooklineandsinker]

Returning my catmaxx rod tomorrow and trading it in for a new one... Eyelets are falling out Ah well as long as they take them back when they break and give me a new one I will keep on bringin them It is like a free pole every few months I am upgrading reels and I am not sure what kind of baitcaster to buy though... any suggestions??

[hooklineandsinker]

Thinking about this one

[rylan37]

I bought one the the catmaxx baitcast reels many years ago when I was new to catfishing. I still have the reel and it still works fine, maybe a little noisier than when it was new. Also the button doesn't disengage quite as quick after reeling, it takes a few cranks sometimes for it to pop up. I would recomend spending the extra 30-40 bucks on an abu garcia 6500 c3, you won't regret it. The only thing that I like about the catmaxx is the bait clicker, its really easy to pull out in comparison to every other reel iv used, although it's not nearly as loud. So if a softer quiet bait clicker is desired then you might like it.