Spinning Rod and reel or combo for heavy freshwater catfishing UPDATED: Reel bought.

[NavyVet1204]

Hey guys/gals, 

 

I’ve been gone from here for awhile with helping my wife take care of our new baby boy and it has been a blast!

 

As the title says, I am looking for ideas and suggestions on some new spinning setups for heavy freshwater catfishing. The two current setups that my wife and I have(shimano reels on ugly stik rods) are beyond their prime in terms of wear. I have taken great care of them, but 15 years of heavy use has taken their toll. I got a few basspro gift cards for Christmas so I have roughly $350 to spend to get back in the game.

 

edit: I guess I’m looking to spend about $100-$150 on each setup. My baitcasters I have a higher budget for because I use them a whole lot more than these spinners will get used.

 

UPDATE: With my gift cards I ordered a Penn Conflict II in the 4000 size from bass pros app. The reel has great reviews and was on sale for $135 from $169.99 so without a dime out of pocket and free shipping I think I did pretty good. I’ll post a review when it comes in. Thank you all for your suggestions!

[Finessegenics]

How heavy? Around my parts the river is real strong, so catfish and sturgeon fishermen are throwing up to 8oz weights to stay pinned to bottom. I'm usually using 3-5 oz but I target some of the slower spots. I'll assume you'll be somewhere around that weight. 

 

For 150$ you can get an awesome setup. In my opinion, a baitfeeder reel is a huge advantage so I'll recommend one. Much easier to tell when a fish really has the bait and when it's time to set the hook. I like the Okuma Avenger ABF for its price and quality. For your needs, the 6000 or 8000 is probably best. Can hold lots and lots of braid, even if you use 80# braid mainline. MSRP on those is around 65$ for the 6000 and 75$ for the 8000. 

 

Options are endless for the rod but important factors to consider are where you'll be fishing (lots of brush, trees above you) and if you'd need a two or even three piece rod. I know a lot of guys who use surf rods but for the most part they are far too long for my liking. I think 7.5-10 feet is probably ideal. 

 

I like the Daiwa Beef Kitty's. There's a lot of options in the models but the 9'0 (1/2 oz - 4 oz) or the MH 10'0 (1-6 oz) should cover you. Even the 10'0 makes smaller channel cats enjoyable but can handle a much larger fish. They also make 10'0 H which has the same lure rating as the other 10'0, I'm just assuming it is has a more powerful backbone. They go for around 55$. So for 130$ that's a pretty solid setup. Best of luck and you may be able to catch a deal with holiday sales!

[cyclops2]

Forget MOST bass stuff.  You really need a light duty SALTWATER setup.  Something to handle Blue fish with 80 to 120 pound Braided Line. 

 Bigger catfish like Blues Have under ground holes to stay in during high water conditions.........  Noodling or Hand Grabbing Cats are proof of tunnels. Their teeth are very raspy like sandpaper. I have used a FINE  /  smallest wire leader covered with PLASTIC. The leader then does not stop a quick pickup and swallow.  I have a meat manager supply me with MEAT PARTS of all types.  No charge.  ALL are good to catch cats..  I use a large old Mitchell spinning for salt water with 60# test & wire. Maximum drag almost can stop some bigger cats from getting back to their dens.  A freshwater Drum is also a possibility. Looks like a HUGE silvery carp with a real mouth. First run has dragged my 16 Lowe boat & 30 hp motor off. Around in river for awhile.

 

Big cats LAST a long time. They head for anything to tangle up line& possibly cut thru none wire line.

 

Big powerful reel & DRAG in it. Easy to loose a rod when 60 pounder takes off.

 

[NavyVet1204]

Thank you friend and I am already checking on your suggestions as we speak! I may have blown it out a bit by using the terms “heavy freshwater”. Down here in Bama, it’s not uncommon to land cats as far north as 25+ lbs on a rod and reel. Generally though, that happens for me on trotline or bush hooks while my wife has the ability to just look at a body of water and the fish just jump onto the bank. Is what it is I reckon.

 

I typically run 10-15lb mono on the reel ending with a Carolina rig that has 20lb mono. This setup has served me well for over 20 years in my neck of the woods and has brought in and honestly the $75-$100 dollar combos fill this role pretty well and last a good long while simply due to the lack of use they see compared to my baitcasters.

[Deleted account]

It really depends on where one is fishing, and how big the cats are. For eating sized ones in still water with not much hangup, heavier bass tackle will do. For real brutes in current and nasty hangups, you almost can't go heavy enough, and of course there is everything in between. I like the lighter  Ugly Tiger Sticks for good budget sticks for cats and salt inshore stuff, but there are a bunch of different things out there. The Shimano Bait runners are really nice reels, but a bit of $$. I usually fish 30 lb mono on conventional gear or heavy braid on spinning, and a heavy mono leader, mostly 50 lb on either. We are starting to get some real blues up these parts, and they are eating everything in sight. 

[PhishLI]

Take a look at the Daiwa BG 4500. A bit huge. Casts large diameter line well. All metal construction. Holds up great against huge stripers in the salt year after year. It'll last forever.

[cyclops2]

I still cringe when I recall a freshwater father putting his thumb into a small salt water Bluefish mouth to remove the hook for his son. Terrible chopped up skin pieces hanging.