[catman1991]

ive always used shakespeare 1 piece 7ft ugly sticks. combined with abu bcx 6600 and shakespeare skp 2000 baitcasters. i know theyre not the best reels but they work for me and its just the way i was taught lol. and i also have another ugly stik, same as above but spinning, set up with a shakespeare alpha reel.

Happy Catfishin

 

[OhioCatter]

I have two sets of rods depending on how and what i'm fishing for.

Set up 1) 7' MH tiger rods with CMaxx 70 reels and 50# Power Pro.

Set up 2) 8' XH Ugly Stick Custom Boat rods with Penn 330Gt2 reels, these with be spooled with Andes 30# tourny mono line.

 

[BanksideBandit]

I like the Quantum Big Cat rods for boat fishing and I use Nite Stick rods (9-12ft)for lake fishing when I need to cast far. I fish the Scioto a lot too and do a lot of walking along the banks and I use a couple of 6ft Sturdy Sticks for this. Easy to keep untangled on a long jouney and easy to pull fish out of log jams.

 

[BLUECAT BUSTERZZ.]

Nite stiks 10'ft or bass pro shop cat maxx 10' footers

 

[barillms]

The Ugly Stick catfish 7 foot MH rods are perfect for normal catfishing. Theyre soft tipped, theyre flexible and they cast great. I have two of them... theyre my go to rods for normal nights. You can pull in 5lb-30lb fish on them all day & night with no worries.

But... if you're fishing in heavy current, or are targeting 35lb+ fish, in turbulant or fast moving, or really deep waters where you have 100 yards of line out with 4,5+ oz sinkers... the Ugly MH catfish rod just isnt gonna cut it

If you need real pulling power, and need to drag in heavy 40-50lb fish into shore or into the boat, you want to look at the Ugly Stick Tiger rods. They are much beefier and have awesome backbone. Now... they ARE thick & heavy rods. If youre looking for a lighter thin rod that still has a strong backbone and lots of pulling power... you should look at the Ugly Stick Tiger Lite 7 foot 1 piece Heavy.

The Ugly Stick Big Water rods are also good, but they are black and harder to see at night. The regular (salt water) Tigers do not have triggers on the casting models. The Tiger Lite & Big Waters both have triggers.

If i had to choose 1, it would be the Tiger Lite 7ft 1 piece H for large fish and fishing current. Its light & very powerful.

The Bottom Dwellers Night Stick Rods are cheap, and nice too. For a little more money the Bottom Dwellers.com CatFight rods come highly recommended.

Also, if you want to spend around $70-80 the Team Catfish.com Catfish Warrior rods are really good too.

For reels... in the $70-80 price range... stay away from the Abu BCX6600. Its junk. Hands down, in my opinion, the BEST $70 reel is the Shimano Corvalus 400 or Lefty 401. The Cardiff is $90 and even better. You dont need to spend $120 on a reel. Shimanos are top top quality.

Line... Sufix Performance Braid 50lb or 65lb Neon Fire.
Mono, Berkley Big Game Solar Collector in 25lb.

I also like Berkley Gorilla Tough Braid (camo) in 50lb. Some people dont like it bc how thick it is... but i like it, but not as much as the Sufix braid tho. From Walmart.com Gorilla Braid 300yds is only $21.

 

[VBowler]

I now am using 8' Shimano Talus tc4 graphite rods. These are rated at 50-100lb They are light and have no problems at all drifting or anchoring with 16oz sinkers (not had to use the 24's on them yet). From snagging up on drifts I can tell there is nothing in fresh water that these rods will not handle. I have Shimano Tekota 600 line counters on them and this pairing works very well together. Castability is very nice without having to sling your bait off 200+ casts are a piece of cake.

 

[JohnPD]

I've used a variety of rods for channel cats, but I still always find myself going back to the Ugly Stik rods. I've never fished for flatheads since most folks that fish them are fishing them way south of where I'm at, so I can't speak for a flathead rod.

 

[Stampede]

Interesting thoughts on cat rods.I'm looking myself,actually going after work today to bps and pick one out. One thing here i agree with is rustyfish. My channel rods are bass rods. One is a bps bionic blade 6'6 the other is a bps graphite im6 6'6 , both med heavy and both have okuma coronado's on them. But don't think i'll go that route with a flattie pole. I had muskie pole recommended, whats others think of that. What would be the difference.

 

[catfishcc]

Tiger rods, cat maxx, bottom dwellers. All are good


Sent from my iPhone using Ohub Campfire

 

[Cajunsaugeye]

All mine are BPS Catmaxx.Have never had an issue w/one.

Sent from my VS870 4G using Ohub Campfire mobile app

 

[pppatrick]

No but chicken liver does. Liver = small channels lol. Not calling them stupid, I just find funny because i see people fishing c&r all the time for small channels with monster rods (where's the fight?). If i use liver it is on a light action rod.

But when I show up to catch flatheads people might laugh a me cause it looks like im using bass rods. I think people tend to over do it, but to each his own.

"Please dont post that you caught a 10 lb channel of liver, i get it lol"

precisely!

i see it about every trip out, guys with giant rigs flinging liver catching eater size channels when they would be better suited using heavy bass set-ups. i use what would be considered a jig/frog type bass rods for channels 7'2 mh shimano sellus and a 7ft mh quantum lite (15+ years of service), 20 lb fluoro or mono. had no problem landing my pb channel tuesday that went 16#.

for my big cat set ups i'm currently using B n' M silver cats 7ft mh. its an e-glass blank, soft tip, excellent balance with a conventional reel. the thing that really sets these rods apart from any other e-glass cat rod is the handle. the handle is made with wrapped para-cord. its incredibly grip tight, holds great in rod holders. verdict is still out on how the para-cord will hold up over seasons of use, as they are now only about 4 months old.

 

[Salmonid]

pppatric, Id be eager to hear how those corded handles do, the boat guys loved them to start with but as they got frayed and scratched they started to not like them, ive never had one, love my cork handles but that's the feedback Ive heard from a few guys.

I might add that when I fun fish, for channels I use a 6'6" medium bass rod( s) as I love the fight but on my tourney channel rods, where Im looking for an 7-8 lb average for 6 fish, I up the anty to my Medium Heavy St Croix Premier Musky rods. In a tourney its no time to be having fun with a 8-11 lb channel...

Salmonid

 

[winguy7]

I've been using a 10 foot glow stick this year. I'm only a couple years in to hunting flatheads. Choosing to upgrade my reels first, I went with the new abu record. I like the combo for bank fishing, just not enough to buy more. Currently thinking about getn some akios s-line reels paired with the 8 foot okuma battle cat rod for rivers. Then a 10 foot teamcatfish in heavy action for lakes and dams. Both rods have stainless guides, and the okuma is more like a tuna rod coming apart at the handle.

 

[Stampede]

I went looking at rods last night and didn't see but a couple that i liked.What i dont like are the handles on the new poles. I'ts like half the cork or foam is missing. Am i missing something or are rods like everything getting chinsie.From 180.00 muskie poles to 30.00 poles . The only ones with full handles were the catfishing poles and of them only the tiger had stainless eyes. Still have not bought one yet, I just don't like that style of handle. Are all the poles going to that style of handles.

 

[BottomBouncer]

For the last two seasons: Ugly Stik Big Water BWS110270 spinning rod. Rated 15-40lb and 1-6oz.

Haven't had a fish that really gave them a good test yet.

The fish in my avatar was last year and I was trying out my Shimano Terez/Saragosa combo. I bought the combo for grouper/jacks when I go to Florida. The Terez is rated to 200lbs. For anyone who ever considered one of these or thought it would be cool. It's not. I busted an 8/0 gamakatsu on the previous fish on the hookset. Stepped up to a 4X hook.

The fish was literally no match. It was like I mounted a winch on an I-beam.

I guess if you're fishing super heavy cover and need extreme pulling power then it would be a good option, but don't expect much of a challenge unless the fish is 50+.

 

[33highland]

have you checked out a twc extreme. google it tanglingwithcatfish they always sell out so you gotta watch the site or just back order one. The whisker whip is way to flimsy for big bait but the extreme is my go to rod of choice. I'm sure that those other rods will do the jobs also but I just got hooked on the twc extremes. I have pulled so hard on mine dragging in a tree in the ohio river I expected it to break and it never. I have an extender also its a couple feet longer and is also 2 piece. I believe they were designed for drifting with a circle hook tight lined so the fish will hook themselves. The tip is not too stiff as to pull the circle hook from the fish mouth but seem to be great for any type fishing. If you watch any of the steve douglas discovercatfishing how to vids he uses them and talks some about them.

 

[pppatrick]

pppatric, Id be eager to hear how those corded handles do, the boat guys loved them to start with but as they got frayed and scratched they started to not like them, ive never had one, love my cork handles but that's the feedback Ive heard from a few guys.

I might add that when I fun fish, for channels I use a 6'6" medium bass rod( s) as I love the fight but on my tourney channel rods, where Im looking for an 7-8 lb average for 6 fish, I up the anty to my Medium Heavy St Croix Premier Musky rods. In a tourney its no time to be having fun with a 8-11 lb channel...

Salmonid

i guess only time will tell. but as i am a bank fisherman, i'm probably not going to putting the handles under as much stress as say a guy drifting in a boat. i would say i've been out maybe 10 times with them, 2 of which i had forgotten my rod holders and ended up wedging them in rock crevices and i'm yet to see in fraying or loosening.

seems if they do eventually wear, it wouldn't be to hard to peel off the damaged cord and epoxy brand new para-cord on.

 

[winguy7]

I know it looks absurd when you see people using 10-12 foot poles and reels that are meant for salt water, but its not at all. I'm one of those people and for good reason. I put a ton of thought and research into what I use. Every time I buy impulsively I regret it. Yes you can land huge fish on light gear, but sooner or later you're gonna get one that's to big and something's gonna break. Personally that makes me lose sleep. However there's even better reasons to go big if you're after blues or flat's, channels to for that matter. Take reels for example, right now i'm using abu records. You would think that they are made to throw 5-8oz weights + bait. After using them and doing a little research you'll find out that over time they will break, due to the force of the weight being thrown. Hell mine don't handle 2oz weights and a small gill like they should. So for me Its simply a question of 1) finding a reel that will handle the biggest fish I expect to catch. 2) selecting one that will handle the tackle I use, over and over again. Sadly most manufactures will give you the perception of their product being able to do the later, and nothing could be farther from the truth. That's where the bigger gear comes into play. There simply isn't much out there for fresh water that I think will stand up to the abuse I will put it through. So why pay good money for those products when they wont do what they are advertised too. That's why when I upgrade it will be with small-med sized salt water reels. I can pay the same amount for them as I do the freshwater reels, but unlike freshwater they are meant to handle the weight. Poles are a more personal preference as to action and length. I fish from shore(hopefully not for long) and longer heavy poles help with distance when I want it. Lastly I get sick of hearing that liver dictates the size of fish. There are so many lakes where the majority of channels just aren't that big, and people start to think that they are catching little ones because they are using liver. I find that channels in different lakes like different baits. To say that a big channel doesn't prefer liver is funny to me, because I'd like to see you prove that.

 

[BottomBouncer]

I'm one of those who does not get it when I see guys using surf rods for cats. That is unless they actually need distance, like below a dam on the Ohio or other river situations. I just shake my head when I see guys fishing well under 100 yards, usually less than 50 yards, with a 12' rod. Never mind the pay lake guys. Fishing in a puddle with surf gear....lmao.

If you're one to do research before you buy, what made you think a Record could handle a big rig with a big bait? You're just asking to wear out the gears. That's why they make the Big Game series.

If your "research" consists of reading reviews and getting opinions off a forum then you might as well just go ask a guy standing in a Wal-Mart aisle. For example, you mentioned the Record. Simply looking at the specs on the reel should tell you that it would in no way handle what you're asking it to handle. It suggests up to 320 yards of 12lb. mono or 310 of 30lb braid. This alone should tell you where the reel will max out. Sure, you could fill it with 50lb. You could also move a semi trailer with a Chevy 1500....but you're going to wear it out very quickly.

When looking at a rod, look at the weight it is meant to cast. Anything outside that range is going to cause poor casting or excessive wear on the rod. People seem to just go out an buy a rod that says XH on it and sticking a medium size reel filled with way too heavy braid. They think because they have this broom handle with super heavy line that no fish is too big. That just leaves the reel as the weakest link, and often the most expensive component.

 

[winguy7]

I'm one of those who does not get it when I see guys using surf rods for cats. That is unless they actually need distance, like below a dam on the Ohio or other river situations. I just shake my head when I see guys fishing well under 100 yards, usually less than 50 yards, with a 12' rod. Never mind the pay lake guys. Fishing in a puddle with surf gear....lmao.

If you're one to do research before you buy, what made you think a Record could handle a big rig with a big bait? You're just asking to wear out the gears. That's why they make the Big Game series.

If your "research" consists of reading reviews and getting opinions off a forum then you might as well just go ask a guy standing in a Wal-Mart aisle. For example, you mentioned the Record. Simply looking at the specs on the reel should tell you that it would in no way handle what you're asking it to handle. It suggests up to 320 yards of 12lb. mono or 310 of 30lb braid. This alone should tell you where the reel will max out. Sure, you could fill it with 50lb. You could also move a semi trailer with a Chevy 1500....but you're going to wear it out very quickly.

When looking at a rod, look at the weight it is meant to cast. Anything outside that range is going to cause poor casting or excessive wear on the rod. People seem to just go out an buy a rod that says XH on it and sticking a medium size reel filled with way too heavy braid. They think because they have this broom handle with super heavy line that no fish is too big. That just leaves the reel as the weakest link, and often the most expensive component.

Well I'm not one of those guys shaking his head at someone for using light gear. I may laugh when your cursing the gods cause the big one got away though. I take it you must be one of those guys that can buy and try everything out there. That must be nice. The rest of the real world reads and watches reviews for information. The record reel was a learning lesson. Doesn't change the fact that its marketed as a reel that should handle 2oz weights plus bait. On top of that where do you get that the specs for line capacity are the same as recommended line weights. Sounds like you need to do some research. Can you name a freshwater reel that lists how much 80lb braid it will hold. Yet plenty of people use it. That kinda sounds like a salt water reel to me.