Ned Rig Channel Cat

[Dorado]

Landed this 8.4 lb 28.5” Channel Catfish tonight off a Finesse TRD (California Craw) on a 1/15 oz shroomz jig head. Used my ‘drop shot’ rod which is a Fenwick HMG medium-light spinning rod spooled with #10 braid and 6# co-polymer leader. FG knot stayed strong as you could imagine the fight I had with this pig! She peeled drag and I landed her without a net. Crawled army style just to craddle the fish one-handed onto shore. It was an epic fight I’ll remember forever. Ned Rig has been pond magic for me this March. My new favorite multi-species lure for warm water species. 

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

Very nice! 

 

They usually hit a Ned rig and go screaming off very fast when I hook one, sometimes I don't even get a chance to set the hook because they take off so fast. 

[New River Addiction]

Nice fish! I bought some Ned heads in different weights to hopefully use this weekend if the weather cooperates.

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Very nice! 

 

They usually hit a Ned rig and go screaming off very fast when I hook one, sometimes I don't even get a chance to set the hook because they take off so fast. 

Yup happen to me once, not Ned rig but TRD on dropshot. 

[desmobob]

Good fun!  I've hooked a couple of really big freshwater drum (sheepshead) on a Ned Rig, besides channel cats.  Tanks.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[NYWayfarer]

Happened to me twice last season.

 

One was 3lbs on my ned rig combo at the time. A medium light action rod with a size 1500 reel spooled with 6lb mono.

 

Second was a Channel Cat that broke me off after a 10+ minute fight on the same combo. I got a look at him at the surface and he was easily 5lb+

 

I have since upgraded my ned rig combo to a medium action rod with a 2500 reel spooled with 8lb Trilene XT line.

[Dorado]

14 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Very nice! 

 

They usually hit a Ned rig and go screaming off very fast when I hook one, sometimes I don't even get a chance to set the hook because they take off so fast. 

I shouldn’t say what I’m about to say on a BASS site, but a cat fights way harder than a largie pound per pound. They have so much power in their shoulders and tail. In football terms, Cats are the line backer position equivalent of the freshwater world, IMO 

[Bluebasser86]

45 minutes ago, Dorado said:

I shouldn’t say what I’m about to say on a BASS site, but a cat fights way harder than a largie pound per pound. They have so much power in their shoulders and tail. In football terms, Cats are the line backer position equivalent of the freshwater world, IMO 

It's not even close really. If catfish hit topwater and jumped they'd probably get a lot more attention from bass guys.

[Dorado]

30 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

It's not even close really. If catfish hit topwater and jumped they'd probably get a lot more attention from bass guys.

What was your 20# flathead experience like off the Ned? I remember seeing pics last year 

[CroakHunter]

1 hour ago, Dorado said:

I shouldn’t say what I’m about to say on a BASS site, but a cat fights way harder than a largie pound per pound. They have so much power in their shoulders and tail. In football terms, Cats are the line backer position equivalent of the freshwater world, IMO 

I think all "non-sport" fish fight way harder. Carp, buffalo, flathead, even gar are fun if you hook into a 3ft one. 

[Bluebasser86]

2 hours ago, Dorado said:

What was your 20# flathead experience like off the Ned? I remember seeing pics last year 

It was the same as every flathead I've caught on light tackle, a huge thump, set the hook into something that feels like a snag before it swims off, then it's like trying to lift a slow swimming log off the bottom of the lake with light line. Blues are the fastest swimmers of the catfish imo. Every time I've hooked one while fishing for bass they've done their best to empty the spool on their first run. 

[NYWayfarer]

11 hours ago, Dorado said:

I shouldn’t say what I’m about to say on a BASS site, but a cat fights way harder than a largie pound per pound. They have so much power in their shoulders and tail. In football terms, Cats are the line backer position equivalent of the freshwater world, IMO 

So true. When cats get close to the surface, turn and dig deep there is nothing like it.

[Mobasser]

Dorado,  that's a whopper cat! I've had 2 cats hit a need rig, biggest was 3 pounds. I could only imagine that fight you had

[Bluebasser86]

On 3/14/2018 at 9:27 PM, Dorado said:

What was your 20# flathead experience like off the Ned? I remember seeing pics last year 

I'm sure you've probably seen it, but this is the whole fight minus the bite and hookset.

 

[frosty]

The first year I started fishing exclusively for bass using artificial baits I caught a 3-4 pound cat in a pond in a senko. Talk about an emotional roller coaster! All excited for this 10+ pound bass I was going to catch and then up comes this daggone catfish!

[FishDewd]

Yeah they have some power for sure! Big cats can be reel jammers, they just smash the bait and fight their tails off all the way back to the bank. Lol. Great catch!

[Bluebasser86]

This one wasn't on a Ned rig, but a 1/8oz Slider head with a 3" craw. Didn't weigh it, probably around 15lbs though on 8lb mono and a 6' 8" M/F spinning rod.