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.