Catfish Rod & Reel recommendations

RRmaniac · Mar 17, 2016

I am planning on buying another catfish rod & reel for the Red. Any recommendations for length, # test, action, etc.#$%^&>

FishSticks · Mar 17, 2016

I know people that buy very heavy duty catfish gear but I like to fish with something that is good for many river fish (eyes, pike, cats and goldeye). I typically will use a shakespear or Uglystick with 20# test medium duty, cheap and works fine for everything I have found so far.

FishReaper · Mar 17, 2016

Ugly Stick

Lou63 · Mar 17, 2016

we don't fish the Red much but at Sak for cats at night we use 7 to 10 foot heavy rods, mostly to get to a bit deeper water from shore but have straightened out a couple of 6/0 hooks on fish as well, never know what your gonna hook up with in the lake.

I used to fish the Missouri below Gavin's Point dam at Yankton and have seen some monster fish surface under the lights below the dam there, I figure their cousins are up here as well. I am relatively sure there are some humongous flatheads and blue cats in the lake.

Kickemup · Mar 17, 2016

I used to fish the Missouri below Gavin's Point dam at Yankton and have seen some monster fish surface under the lights below the dam there, I figure their cousins are up here as well. I am relatively sure there are some humongous flatheads and blue cats in the lake.

Is it possible they were paddlefish?
I have always been a big fan of a heavy duty rod paired with a bait caster for cats.

Captainbrad · Mar 18, 2016

I would go with a Rippin Lips Medium or Medium Heavy. Both 7'6" They are a solid rod that costs about $40. I use the M most of the time and MH if I am in heavy current or using 5 or more ounces of weight. Reels get what you like. Personally, I like an Abu Garcia or Shimano baitcast. 30 pound line is the way to go in the Red.

Most people tend to buy heavy but something fitting to the Red and the fish makes everything work better and more fun.

dwos03 · Mar 18, 2016

My best catfishing rod is still my 6' walmart special combo I bought about 10 years ago! I have a couple of the cabelas brand 7' that work pretty well also. I like the 6' better because it's a stiffer rod. The 7' rods I have are a little too flimsy for cats IMO.

Lou63 · Mar 18, 2016

Kickemup said:
I used to fish the Missouri below Gavin's Point dam at Yankton and have seen some monster fish surface under the lights below the dam there, I figure their cousins are up here as well. I am relatively sure there are some humongous flatheads and blue cats in the lake.

Is it possible they were paddlefish?
I have always been a big fan of a heavy duty rod paired with a bait caster for cats.

They could have been paddle fish, sturgeon, ah heck they could have been anything as Gavin's point is the last dam in the system clear to the ocean. They caught a couple piranha at Sioux City, Ia near a warm water discharge back in the 90's. Those they figured were pets that were turned loose.

espringers · Mar 18, 2016

Is that really the last dam until the ocean? Who would of thunk

Catfish Rod & Reel recommendations

RRmaniac

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