Printed Sep 15, 2022 6:00 PM
Whether or not you’re pursuing feisty bullheads, aggressive channels, bully blues, or brutish flatheads, you’ll want a catfish rod that’s as much as the duty. Some anglers need rods which might be limber and lengthy, with extra motion to allow them to play a fish. Others need shorter stout rods for leverage to rapidly get a fish to the boat or financial institution. Rod, reel, line, and different elements have to work in live performance that can assist you land a catfish effectively. Catfish, particularly huge ones, surge and roll, and bury round cowl. And Should you simply slap a reel on the primary low cost rod you discover at your native ironmongery store, these bucks you save may cost you the fish of a lifetime.
That will help you discover the very best catfish rods, I interviewed fishing guides who pay the payments with monster cats to seek out out which of them excel irrespective of the place you propose to fish.
Why It Made the Reduce
An awesome value and sturdiness make the Ugly Stik an outstanding worth for catfishing.
Key Options
- Ugly Stik clear tip
- Graphite-fiberglass clean
- One-piece chrome steel guides
- Rod Size: 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, and 12-feet
Execs
- Price range-friendly
- Totally rubberized handles
- Sturdy
Cons
- May use extra choices with heavy motion
Product Description
Shakespeare’s legendary Ugly Stik fishing rods have confirmed themselves again and again for all kinds of species. They’re robust sufficient to face up to boat slams, cooler smashes within the truck mattress, inattentive children (and adults), and battles with huge fish. The most recent iteration for whisker fish anglers—the Ugly Stik Catfish Particular—is available in spinning and casting fashions in lengths from 7-12 toes. They’re rated for 10-40-pound-test and are designed with medium-heavy energy on reasonable motion rods. That’s a very good middle-of-the-road mixture for a worth priced rod that punches above its weight.
Together with the rod’s guts—skinny woven sheets of graphite and fiberglass—particular touches and attractiveness add much more panache. It would look like catfish anglers solely care about pungent baits and large fish, however fashionable rods are an added bonus. Shakespeare additionally has a 7-year guarantee, which is a heck of a deal for a $60 rod.
Why It Made the Reduce
Inexpensive, robust, and broadly out there, the Ugly Stick rods are certainly one of Capt. Richard Simms’ favorites when he’s drifting the Tennessee river for catfish.
Key Options
- Number of rod lengths
- Clear tip
- EVA foam handles that work in moist situations
- Medium-heavy actions all through sequence
- 7-year guarantee
Execs
- Sturdy
- Spinning and casting fashions
- Price range-friendly
Cons
- Restricted choices for lengths
Product Description
Capt. Richard Simms with Scenic Metropolis Fishing in Chattanooga usually employs two main ways for his Tennessee River catfishing journeys: drifting with the present whereas utilizing mild spinning deal with, and “bumping backside” in deeper water with heavier deal with. For the previous, Simms strongly recommends the Shakespeare Ugly Stik line of spinning and casting rods. He makes use of each and prefers them for shoppers, as a result of they’re sturdy and simple to work even when they land a monster.
“You don’t know your shoppers’ skills,” he says. “I at all times apply endurance over energy. The Ugly Stik rods, particularly the 7-foot spinning rods, have a comparatively mild motion. I preach to shoppers to maintain the rod tip up and let the ‘bend be your good friend’ whereas they’re combating a fish.”
The Ugly Stik rods are available 7- and 8-foot lengths and medium-heavy motion for casting and spinning. Further choices can be a plus, however for simply $50 these are inexpensive workhorses. Guides love them, shoppers received’t (usually) break them, and so they work. So, whether or not you’re taking out a brand new angler or need one thing that may endure a beating, the Ugly Stik can deal with it, which is why Capt. Simms has been utilizing them for many years.
“I’ve some Ugly Stik rods which might be over 20 years previous,” he says. “Lots of them are completely different lengths and actions with the unique guides, and I nonetheless use them.”
Why It Made the Reduce
For large baits, weights, and catfish, this Bumping Rod from B’n’M takes all of it in stride.
Key Options
- Quick motion
- Rod Size: 7 toes, 6 inches
- Handles 25-50-pound-test
Execs
- Sturdy
- Cork handles are comfy to carry
- Trendy white colour
Cons
- Restricted rod, motion choices
Product Description
Drifting mild baits, equivalent to minimize rooster breasts (it really works), on mild deal with is enjoyable. However when Capt. Richard Simms must go deeper, he prefers greater gear. Simms will upsize his rod, line, weight, and bait to float or anchor whereas bumping the underside for greater catfish. He and his shoppers catch the whole lot from 15-pounders to 65-plus brutes. That’s why he opts for a B’n’M Poles Bumping Rod to get the job finished.
“Drift fishing in deeper water with heavier deal with with a suspended bait off the underside, or bottom-bumping, is a superb tactic,” Simms says. “The Bumping Rod has a heavy spine and good tip, and it’s a very good all-around rod. If you’re bumping backside, you need one thing that has some sensitivity however nonetheless has the flexibility to get an enormous one to the web.”
For Simms, the Bumping Rod has simply sufficient sensitivity and loads of spine for plucking big river cats off the underside.
Why It Made the Reduce
Justin Conner and Tabitha Linville, The Catfishing Duo, depend on the Hellcat rods once they’re guiding for large flatheads and blue cats in deep water.
Key Options
- Energy Motion: Medium-extra heavy
- Rod Size: 7 toes, 6 inches
- Coloration Choices: Patriotic, inexperienced, orange, and pink
Execs
- Delicate
- Reel seats received’t permit reels to stroll
- Vivid colours simple to see at evening
Cons
Product Description
Justin Conner and Tabitha Linville, The Catfishing Duo, information repeatedly in West Virginia on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers for flathead and blue catfish. They’ve caught catfish as much as 65 kilos, and Linville says the Hellcat rods from Catch the Fever are the proper dimension for large flatties and blues.
“In spring the flatheads don’t chunk as often and have a softer chunk as an alternative of actually going for the bait onerous, so we go for the medium-heavy,” she says. “That offers us extra detection with the chunk, as a result of it has a extra delicate tip.”
Throughout the summer time months, Conner and Linville do a whole lot of evening fishing. And so they each desire the brilliant inexperienced rod (and line) choice, as a result of it’s simple to see bites at nighttime.
The Hellcat sequence additionally is available in medium, medium-heavy, heavy and extra-heavy actions, able to dealing with 10-pound-test for small cats to 80-pound-test for monsters.
“We use the heavy motion in summer time, nevertheless it relies upon totally on the present,” Linville says. “There’s extra spine to these heavy rods and we’ll use them if we have now shoppers who aren’t as acquainted with holding the rods. The information are delicate, which undoubtedly helps. So that you’ll understand it’s a flathead as a result of the rod tip goes down actual gradual, however a blue simply smokes it.”
Why It Made the Reduce
These sturdy rods can deal with the abuse that children or novice anglers can impose on them.
Key Options
- Rod Size: 7 toes, 6 inches
- 100% fiberglass blanks
- Ceramic information inserts
- Graphite reel seat
Execs
- Glow-in-the-dark tip helps detect bites at evening
- Versatile medium motion
- Handles line sizes from 10- to 20-pound check
Cons
- Would really like extra choices within the casting line
Product Description
Over the previous 30 years Billy Blakely has caught or helped catch numerous catfish at Reelfoot Lake. This stump-filled whisker fish dream in northwest Tennessee holds fields of lily pads and water that’s deep sufficient to harbor massive cats via the winter. Blakley’s go-to rod for fishing Reelfoot is the B’n’M Silver Cat sequence, which he prefers to make use of with children or new anglers, who, a minimum of from his expertise, may be tough on rods.
“I’ve had folks with a variety of fishing skills over time,” Blakely says. “We use flat backside aluminum boats, and whereas we handle our gear they do get banged round a bit. I’ve used the Silver Cat sequence for fairly some time and so they’ve at all times held up.”
Blakely famous that the price-to-performance ratio of the Silver Cat is one cause he retains utilizing them. And simply because the Silver Cats are a few of the greatest catfish rods for youths or new anglers doesn’t imply they aren’t for seasoned fishermen both. These rods have sufficient spine for large cats, so should you dangle a 40-pounder, you may get it in, Blakely says.
Find out how to Select a Catfish Rod
Catfish are discovered all around the globe. You’ll discover them in nearly any water: clear, soiled, scorching, chilly, swift rivers or placid lakes, farm ponds, and small creeks. Some anglers consider that finding them is the hardest half. However as soon as they’re hooked, the struggle isn’t simple both. That’s why it’s vital to have the precise rod for the job.
Price range
The wonderful thing about most catfish rods is that they’re fairly inexpensive. Most price between $50 and $100, and should you’re actually eager on one thing particular you possibly can pay extra for a customized one.
Rod Motion
Are you concentrating on small- to average-sized fish in a farm pond or round boat docks on the lake? A medium-heavy spinning rod will do the job. Should you’re going after massive catfish, you’ll want extra spine that heavy-action rods present.
Deal with Size
If you land a fish, particularly an enormous one, you may want an extended deal with you can tuck underneath your arm for leverage when you’re reeling. In fact, should you’re concentrating on farm ponds or smaller cats, this received’t be as huge of a difficulty.
FAQs
Q: Is graphite or fiberglass higher for catfish rods?
For years, graphite, fiberglass, or a mixture of each have been the staple supplies for catfish rods. Graphite is extra delicate and lighter, which helps you detect extra bites, and so they’re extra comfy to carry and solid, too. Nevertheless, graphite is extra fragile. Fiberglass rods—often E-Glass or S-Glass—aren’t practically as delicate, however they’re extra sturdy.
Q: What bait ought to I take advantage of for catfish?
The bait you need to use for catfish depends upon the species and goal dimension. Should you’re in a farm pond or small creek with smaller fish, think about using nightcrawlers, rooster livers, or some sort of stinkbait.
On greater waters for bigger blues and channels, minimize shad works nice. Recent shad is greatest. The bloodier, oilier and guttier, the higher. Reduce into chunks or fillets. Use the intestine sack by itself or on a hook with a fillet. Should you use the pinnacle, step on it just a little to get the juices operating.
For large flatheads, minimize bait is an choice however reside bait—bluegills or shad—is best. Clip a fin so the bait seems wounded and drop both of these right into a flathead’s lair. Remember to verify state rules for utilizing reside bait.
Q: How do you take away a hook from a catfish?
You need to fastidiously take away a hook from a catfish as a result of they’ve spiny fins, and so they’re particularly sharp. Utilizing a fish gripper, like a Boga Grip or Berkley Massive Recreation Lip Grip might help you management the catfish when you’re dealing with it. Further lengthy, needle-nose pliers are my go-to for eradicating hooks from catfish.
Closing Ideas
Should you’re making an attempt to place extra catfish within the cooler, you’ll need the very best catfish rods to get the job finished. Simply be sure to match your rod to the species and elegance of fishing you like.
Methodology
I’ve fished for greater than 40 years for catfish and different species on massive and small waters with pals, household, and guides. For this assessment, I compiled my very own expertise and ideas from fishing guides to make these alternatives. These guides depend on tools that may stand up to lots of of robust fishing days (and nights) yearly. Contemplate their options whenever you resolve to improve your catfish rig.
