Fishing Line

What Line Is Best For Catfish

In general the fishing line used for catfish fishing is the last thing that gets attention when discussing what to use for catfishing. The focus is usually on the terminal gear and the rod and reel. But if you don’t have the right line I guarantee you will lose a lot catfish you should have had. There are a few things you should consider before purchasing your fishing line. Catfish fishing is supposed to be a sport. If catfishing is a sport then hooking a fish and just hauling it in doesn’t feel like a fair fight. For it to be sport there has to be a fight to see if your skill can win over sheer power and land that big cat. On the hand there is an old adage, “don’t bring a knife to a gunfight”. Blues and Flatheads can easily weigh over 50 pounds and some of the most powerful fish in fresh water. The records for these fish are 124 and 123 pounds respectively. One more thing to consider is the underwater conditions. Wood structure, rocks, snags and anything else that can come into contact with your line can seriously impair your line strength. Big cats will run for cover when hooked and if they make it there chances are you have lost this battle. There are three main types of line but for the average angler the main thing to be concerned with is strength. Your main line should not be less than 20 lb. test. If you want to spend a little more use a braided line go for the 40-50 lb. test. That is not sporting you say. Using a 50 lb. test line to hook a 10 lb. catfish. I agree, but if you want to be sporting you put a lighter line (leader) at the end of your terminal tackle attached to a swivel with your sinker on the main line. You will find this much more economical.

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.