Home Forums Fishing Freshwater Recommend me a good heavy catfish rod and reel

Baitcast reel and good rod please. Line weight will be between 20-30 lbs. Fish might be from 5-60 lbs.

This will be for fishing Tennessee river cats. I'm thinking penn reel and Ugly stick reel.

I don't know which models to be looking at since I am mostly a bass fisherman and I live where I won't see one until I order it. I want it big enough to handle a huge fish if I happen on one but not too big since there will be many more in the 5-20 lb range.

Might go Abu Garcia big game if it is a much better reel.

I was going to post options but I can't get Cabela's info to copy and paste.

I could spend around $100 for combo if I go Penn or about $200 if Abu- Garcia. That's about my limit.

I use an old Abu-Garcia 6500 for such if that's large enough for you. Here's a new one, you'll find mixed reviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pasVtFXThuU

I use Penn 320s and Ugly Stick Tiger Medium 7-foot rods (one piece), 40 lb Sufix mono with an 80 lb leader, anywhere from 8 to 16 oz. sinker, depending on depth and current, and a Gamakatsu 8/0 hook.

It's worked from 10 to 87 lb Blues here in the James.

Get good rodholders, too. The ones in this picture would get all bent sideways...



Nighttime fishin'





Check out the third one from the left.

That's what I'm talking about!! Are the Penn 320's holding up well?

What is the line weight rating on those rods?

Thanks for the very helpful input!

They are nearly indestructible.

They are not the most refined, smoothest, or furthest casting reel I've used, but they are very reliable. And it didn't break the bank buying several of them.

That is a very popular rod with the catfishermen here on the James. I run 40 lb mono without problem, lotsa guys use braid, usually around 80 lb.

The only thing I notice is when casting one of the 16 oz sinkers into the next zip code is your thumb had better be clamped down!

Edited to add:

Had to run down in the basement to look at the rods.

The rod is a model BWC 2201, 20 to 50 lb line rating. (Six identical units.)

Those 320s are great reels. Never used mine in fresh water but I've never caught a cat that size either.

I have been using my salmon rods. Have one set up with an Abu 7000 I kind think will be my go to for cats. It is mounted on a st Croix surf rod with a long handle. It works great for bank fishing..

Here is THE rod for big cats.

http://www.proanglertackle.com/CatfishRod.htm

Pair that up with a good made in Sweden Abu Garcia, spool up with a hig-vis line (I like Ande) in 25 lb. test with a 50 lb. leader. Set the drag right and you can land any cat there is.

I also have a couple of the Shakespeare Ugly Cat rods but the Pro Angler is by far the better rod.

I'd go Abu 7000 and a rod rated to at least 25+ pounds. Shimano Convergence and Clarus are great bang for the buck. Over the counter replacement guarantee. Put 50 pound braid on it and have at it.

The Convergence Muskie or Salmon rods in Heavy/Fast would be a good start.

I use to use a Penn Senator 113 and another Penn 185GLS? with an Oceanmaster salt water rod rated for 80 lb test. I'd spool with 80 lb test for flatheads. I don't fish for flatties anymore though. The reason I went so big is cause I fish right in the brush so there can be no fish taking drag out or they will find a log right away. The smaller reels like Abu Garcia 6501 never held up. The drags went bad. I went with Penn 209's and the gears broke. I lost a real bruiser one night cause the gears stripped and let out drag. This is why I went so big on reels, but they don't cast much at all.

The Penn 9m is about the least expensive way into a good catfish reel. A Garcia 6500 or 7000 will outcast one, but the Penn is still very usable. Ugly sticks are never a bad choice considering the abuse a cat rod receives, although eventually I am going to upgrade to Tiger Sticks.

Sent you a P.M. for consideration.

Tack

Abu Garcia 6500 C3 or 7000iC3 for reels

And a TWC Extreme or Extender casting rod. These rods are made by Tangling With Catfish and have a lot of excellent reviews from the catfishing crowd.

I use 7000iCS Pro Rocket reels with 80 lb yellow Power Pro and Surge Elite rods.



Make sure you have heavy enough equipment for the body of water you are fishing. You never know when a bruiser is going to hook up.

Nice Fish!