Home Forums Fishing Freshwater Line for Catfishing

I am new to catfishing and was wondering what line to use. The water will be stained to muddy with most fish in the 5-10lb class with the chance at 20-30 pounders.

What do you suggest?

If you are not casting much, braid might be good. Otherwise, a good 10 maybe 12 lb mono line should be fine. if you have a big fish, you'll need to play it with your drag.

Thanks. My reel comes with 2 spools. One is rated for 8-12lb test the other up to 30lbs. I was thinking of putting 12 on the first, but was wondering if I really need to go as heavy as their 2nd will handle. It sounds like 12 would be the way to go.

It sounds like you have an open-face spinning reel. If so, you have a choice between regular mono and braid - either of which works very well on that kind of reel. I have tried fluorocarbon line, and it has been a nightmare for me on spinning reels. Kinks, snarls, and humongous peel-off tangles.

Catfish aren't line shy at all. You could use 25-pound braid all the way to the hook if you choose to. But a three-foot section of heavy mono would work as well. You could use 50-lb test for added abrasion resistance and be fine.

Thanks Rocky. Would too heavy a line make it hard to detect a bite?

Bite - not so much. Casting is more the issue with heavy lb mono. What he is suggesting is:

braid as main line - 20lb test would be fine otherwise if you snag, you wil have a tough time breaking it. Also - braid will cut your fingers easily. It's tough stuff.

mono leader where you tie the hook - 3 foot section or so as a leader. Chances it will break and be more illusive to the fish. IMO - you could make it 20lb mono also.

Stay away from fluorocarbon for entire spool

Or just go all 12lb test mono on the whole spool and have fun. it will be much cheaper too.

braid = thinner line diameter per lb rating.

As to bite detection, braid is MUCH more sensitive than mono, as it has zero stretch. You can feel the nightcrawler squirming on your hook with it, LOL!

A short mono leader would be helpful if something other than a catfish came along, as other fish are more line shy. You wouldn't want to have a nice walleye, yellow perch, or bass shy away because it saw the braided line.

Any line/leader test in the 17 to 25 range will be fine.

Thanks guys.

I run 50 or 65# Power Pro braided mainline to a swivel and usually 30# monofrom swivel to hook but sometimes lighter braided also.

Looks like it got cold in Oklahoma.

Thanks again.

I use 17lb Trilene XL or 15lb Big Game.

I use Sufix Superior 40 lb mono with an 80 lb leader. The heavier leader helps when fishing around a lot of structure.

I went for the first time this year on Saturday, caught one on the smallish side, 23 lbs. It was just too hard to see to get to the prime areas that are about 16 miles from where I put in.

An example of the visibility:







I put in at 0830 and at about 1530 had had enough of the fog. It was supposed to burn off at about nine in the morning and get to 72�, but never did.

That's quite a set up