If you’re targeting
eating-size catfish
weighing less than 5lb / 2.3kg, a short, light, or ultralight spinning rod paired with a compatible reel will do the job But a 9–12ft / 2.7–3.7m model made from the most robust materials is needed if you hope to catch a trophy flathead or blue cat weighing 50lb / 22.7kg or more.
What
action rod
is best for catfish?
Fishing Rod Power In most situations, a medium (M) or medium-heavy (MH) action will be best for channel catfish, and for blue and flathead catfish a medium-heavy (MH) action is most often preferred.
Is the
ugly stik
a good fishing rod?
After interviewing experts and spending over 80 hours testing spinning rods and reels, we’ve determined that pairing the Ugly Stik GX2 rod with the Daiwa BG spinning reel makes the best all-around fishing outfit without breaking the bank.
What is the best rod and reel for catfish?
- Ugly Stik GX2 Fishing Rod and Reel Combo.
- KastKing Centron Spinning Rod and Reel Combo.
- Pflueger President Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo.
- Zebco BiteAlert Spinning Rod and Reel Combo.
- Penn Squall 40 Lever Drag Rod and Reel Combo.
- Penn Squall 50 Lever Drag Rod and Reel Combo.
What size spinning reel is best for catfish?
While spinning reels in size 10 or 20 can land big catfish in the hands of an experienced angler, most catmen prefer 30/300-size or larger Zebco’s Big Cat XT spinning reels come in size 50 rated for 235 yards of 14-pound mono, up to 80 size designed for 245 yards of 25-pound mono.
What pound line should I use for catfish?
Catfish aren’t line-shy, so you can use light or
heavy fishing line
as situations dictate. High-strength, small-diameter monofilaments testing 15 to 25 pounds are good inexpensive choices for all-round use, but when hunting the big boys, you may have to upgrade to 30-, 40-, even 80-pound-test.
What is the best catfish hook?
- Gamakatsu 4X Strong Octopus Hooks.
- Catfish Sumo Heavyweight Catfish Hooks.
- Mustad UltraPoint Demon Wide Gap – Best Circle Hook for Catfish.
- Mustad Classic 4 Extra Strong Kingfish – Best Treble Hook for Catfishing.
- Keeshine 4X Triple Grip.
- Team Catfish TC97Q Dip Bait Trebles.
What is a spinning rod vs casting rod?
A spinning rod is a
particular type
of a fishing rod that comes in many sizes from a light action one to medium one and a stout spinning rod. A casting rod is a type of fishing rod that is bent over as the eyelets take an upward position when the fish pulls the lines of the casting rod.
What is the best spinning reel?
- KastKing Centron Spinning Reel.
- Penn Battle II Battle III Spinning Reel.
- Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel.
- Daiwa BG Spinning Reel.
- Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Reel.
What are the top 10 fishing rods?
- Bass Pro Shops Whuppin’ Stick Spinning Rod
- Fuji Aluminum Oxide Casting Guide Set
- Shimano Teramar Southeast Spinning Rod
- Winn Grip Straight Sleeves
- Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Casting Rod
- Orvis Recon 9-Foot, 5-Weight Fly Rod
- Orvis Helios 3D 9-Foot, 8-Weight
- Orvis Clearwater 10-Foot, 3-Weight.
What size hook is best for catfish?
The optimal size for channel catfish is typically a 2/0 or 3/0 hook when using a Kahle hook If you choose circle hooks for small to medium-sized channel catfish then a 5/0 or 6/0 size will usually work best.
Can I use a baitcaster for catfish?
If you’re using spinning reels now because you “can’t cast a bait cast fishing reel” you’re wrong. You can cast with an open-faced bait cast reel you just need to set the reel up correctly and spend a little time practicing Bait Cast reels are preferred by most catfish anglers and without argument most widely used.
What is the best fishing rod for the money?
- Ugly Stik GX2 1-Piece Fishing Rod and Spinning Reel Combo, 7 Feet. Shakespeare. Now 17% off
- Solara Fishing Rod. Shimano. $13 AT FARMANDFLEET.COM
- Elite Spinning Rod 6’6″ Shimano
- Shimano Supreme XT Spinning Reel. Shimano
- Battle III Spinning Reel. Courtesy of Retailer.
Which is better 1 piece or 2 piece fishing rod?
If you have limited space, then 2 piece is a better choice , if not, then go one piece because in any type of system, whether it be a computer, car, or rod and reel; the less components the better.
What is the best time of year to catch catfish?
Late March, April, and early May are some of the best blue catfish fishing of the year for numbers of fish and also offers excellent opportunities for trophy class catfish as well. Channel catfish action is typically excellent and very consistent also.
What does 4000 mean on a fishing reel?
Choosing a fishing rod to go with this size reel: A 4000 or 40 reel is where you start to gain a little size so this sized reel will generally suit medium action classes of rods in the 6ft-7ft (barra/snapper style rod) with a line class of around 4Kg-10Kg or in an 8ft-10ft (light surf) rod with a light line class.
What color fishing line is best for catfish?
Many times, catfish anglers fish multiple lines and spend much of their fishing time during low-light conditions. Bright colors such as neon green, yellow or orange help keep the lines in order and enable you to see what is going on.
How far should you cast for catfish?
Casting 100 yards (300 feet) or more is typical for an experienced long-distance catter, achievable for most anglers with the right equipment, good guidance, and practice. Skilled casters abandon the more traditional catfishing rod-and-reel setups, relying on longer surf-style spinning or casting combos.
Is braid or mono better for catfish?
Some catfish anglers use a heavy braid line, say 80-100 pounds and then use a 50-60 pound mono or fluorocarbon The reasoning behind this set-up is that many times they can save their sinkers by breaking off the leader instead of the main line. This way the only thing they lose is the hook.
What is a good size fishing rod?
A short (6 feet or less) rod is ideal if you want to make short, accurate casts When pinpoint accuracy is less critical, a long rod (over 7 feet) is the way to go. Dingy or dirty water and heavy cover are two situations where short-range accuracy is part of the recipe for success, and a shorter rod can really shine.
What length fishing rod should I get?
The length of a fishing rod typically ranges from 6-12 feet, so to choose a measurement for your needs, consider the type of fishing you plan to do, the species you are after and your fishing environment. A good length for beginner anglers is usually around 7 feet.
What is the secret catfish rig?
In its simplest form, a paternoster is any rig where the hook(s) are on droppers above a fixed sinker Besides a tidy presentation, this arrangement allows the angler to try more than one bait and you’ll often find paternosters with two hooks, or even three or four.
Do you fish for catfish on the bottom?
The rig can be left on bottom or hovered above the floor when drifting an area A float rig’s another option. Simply add a float above the weight on a slip-sinker rig. Use this rig to drift bait slowly through wood-rich catfish lairs or over weed without snagging on bottom or in cover.
Are circle hooks better for catfish?
Using circle hooks for catfish can result in more hook-ups and reduce mortality of caught-and-released fish If you had checked the end of a catfisherman’s line just 20 years ago, you might have found almost any type of hook tied on.
Should I use a bobber for catfish?
Most catfish anglers are aware of the effectiveness of slip bobbers or slip bobber rigs They’re much better adapted for many catfishing techniques, much more versatile and also easier to fish with.
Can I use casting rod with spinning reel?
Yes, you can put a spinning reel on a casting rod in a pinch and you might even find the combination serviceable for light fishing, but there are several drawbacks. (1). You’ll have reduced casting distance.
Sources
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/ugly-stik-catfish-spinning-rod
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rod-reel-for-most-fishers/
https://www.tackledirect.com/ugly-stik-usspcat802mh-catfish-spinning-rod.html