Archive for May, 2008

Catfish Fishing Reels – Beginner

As with rods there are a large variety of reels to choose from and what you choose will depend on the size fish you are chasing and your skill level. You don’t want a reel filled with 20 lb test line if your angling for a 2 lb fish and if your looking for a 20lb catfish you don’t want 2lb test. Since we are catfish angling we will want start with a reel for 8-12 lb test line. Prices range from very affordable to obscenely expensive.

There are three types of reels. The Spin Casting Reel also known as the Closed Face reel is a favorite for beginners due to how easy it is to use. It does however have many limitations. Next in line is the Spinning Reel also know as the Open Faced Reel. These are slightly more difficult to use than the Spin Casting Reel but are much more versatile. They range in size from 2lb test to 50 lb test and can be used for anything from pan fish to monster cats. The Bait Casting Reel is the Cadillac of reels. They come in all sizes and once mastered allow for pin point accuracy of your cast.

Now that you know a little about each reel it is time to decide which one you are going to use. If you are only going to fish a couple of times a year I suggest you purchase a Spin Casting Reel with 8-10 lb test line. If you have fished before as a kid and want to take it up again or are truly interested in catfish angling you will want to purchase a Spinning Reel. With just a little practice you can easily master casting with these.

Ah, the Bait Casting Reel. If you recently went fishing with some of your friends and you have the fever that makes you want to go out and get the best. Don’t. Until you have mastered the open faced spinning don’t do it. Chances are you will end up spending most of your time untangling your line from the backlash your reel caused. If you don’t know what backlash is a good comparison would be a bird’s nest made out of nylon. To cast with a Bait Casting Reel you have to keep your thumb on the reel to act as a drag while casting. If you raise your thumb the reel turns faster than the line can go through the guides on your fishing rod. The result, a tangled up mess that can take forever to get sorted out.

Whichever reel you choose be sure to change the line before you go fishing. Have a good catfish fishing day.

Catfish Fishing Rods – Beginners

In truth when beginning just about any rod 6 ft. to 7 ft. in length with an action of medium to medium heavy should be ok. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a rod to catch fish. My favorite rod for catfish to this day is a medium/heavy 7 ft. Shakespeare Ugly Stick purchased at Wal-Mart. You can catch some very large fish with these with the right reel combination.
Let me tell you why I like this rod. It is inexpensive. It is strong enough to handle 30 lb test braid. It is stiff enough that when you get snagged you have leverage to free your line. It gives leverage when fighting the big cats, it is durable and will last a long time.

I like 7 ft or longer because they offer several advantages when you’re targeting big cats. Casting distance increases with a longer rod. This allows you to remain at a favorable distance from likely hideouts of big catfish, lessening the chance of spooking your quarry. Long rods let you keep more line out of the water, allowing quicker hook sets and better bait control and permitting more-accurate drifts for natural presentation when river fishing. Long rods also provide more leverage when you’re battling big cats.

The many fishing rods available to choose from can make your first purchase seem difficult. Remember for catfish all you need is a medium to medium heavy action pole 6 ft, 6 in to 7 ft. long. You do not have to spend a lot of money to do this. Rod and reel combinations can be found at Wal-Mart for a very reasonable price. If you want a bigger selection go to Bass Pro Shops but they are a bit pricier.

What Fishing Line To Use For Catfish

Catfish aren’t line-shy, so matching your line to the size fish you’re going after is easy. For this book the channel catfish is our target.  Most are in the 2 to 10lb. range but the world record is 58lbs. High-strength, small-diameter monofilament rated 10- to 20-pound test is a good inexpensive choice for all-round use and is my recommendation for the beginner.

Braided lines have a much smaller diameter for the same test weight and do not stretch like the monofilament line when the fish takes the bait. Because they are thinner they also allow longer casts which makes them ideal for fishing from the bank. Braids can be purchased in 8 to 250 pound test. Most anglers that want the big fish will use braided line but I do not recommend it for the beginner. The braided line works best with a bait casting reel and is much more expensive.