Power pro

Tasty make sure you wind on a,few yards of mono on the spool before you tie on your braid the line may just be slipping on the spool. This happens to a lot of people. I use 50 lb power pro. 30 lb fire line should be fine if the area your fishing isn't too snaggy but its a little on the light side from my experience use a uni-uni splice to tie the braid to mono

actually, moose I got a big question about that...

one of the reasons I only tried fishing from a canoe twice, was hard darn hard it was to keep it still, AND once it moved, how the motion would rub my carolina rigs right into the snags. (it was usually stuck within seconds of being cast).

I really think I need a more mobile technique than the big sit and wait.

Kayaks are even harder to STOP aren't they? how would you able to keep it on the bottom without getting your rig stuck??
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Are you using a fancy rig? does it help to get rid of weight or maybe add a heck of alot more??

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I'd really like to learn how to wade for them. I think the mobility would increase my catch (while remaining practical for where and how I fish). but first I need to find something better than laying the rod down and waiting (which you can't easily do in the middle of a river).

ORIGINAL: jolie

actually, moose I got a big question about that...

one of the reasons I only tried fishing from a canoe twice, was hard darn hard it was to keep it still, AND once it moved, how the motion would rub my carolina rigs right into the snags. (it was usually stuck within seconds of being cast).

I really think I need a more mobile technique than the big sit and wait.

Kayaks are even harder to STOP aren't they? how would you able to keep it on the bottom without getting your rig stuck??
------

Are you using a fancy rig? does it help to get rid of weight or maybe add a heck of alot more??

------
I'd really like to learn how to wade for them. I think the mobility would increase my catch (while remaining practical for where and how I fish). but first I need to find something better than laying the rod down and waiting (which you can't easily do in the middle of a river).

Playing around with weight does NOT seem the answer. Instead a snaggy bottom is just problematic with or without weight.

I tried changing my technique a little last night. It worked until the bite went away, then in desparation I picked my goto place and just waited!

Since we are on the topics of big cats, what pole would you recommend? I will be purchasing an Okuma baitrunner from fishusa this Friday.I prefer a one-piece. Thanks

The spawn is definately on, or atleast getting going. Many of the flatheads are starting to show spawn marks. The channels will be a couple weeks behind, Im guessing around the second week of July or so before they start showing spawn marks and swollen heads.

As for rods, I have Berkley glow stix and I like them. Ive also used Ugly stick Tiger rods and have been pretty impressed. If you want to spend the money, I think the best is the St. Croix musky rods. Only thing about the St. Croix is that I can buy 3 Glowstix for the price of one St. Croix

Tasty,you said the line still pulls when the drag is full tight....
If it is just the line sliping add the mono like he said,If the spool is still sliping you have a drag problem...
Take your spool off,remove the clip holding the washers and clean them add a dab of grease as you put them back (as they came out)
or if you have a good reel you can upgrade washers to improve your drag,mikesreelrepair.com has most washers....
I hope this is helpful...
Ripp a big one!!!!!!

ORIGINAL: JT83

Ive also used Ugly stick Tiger rods and have been pretty impressed.

I have the Ugly Stick Catfish. It's the all white one just for catfish that comes with the big spinning reel. Is that what you meant by Tiger rod or is there another version as well?

I use moss green though I doubt cats will mind I think the yellow is more for saltwater guys that use long wind on leaders. but I sometimes use my cat rods for other species and so I get green. tiger is different than catfish. the tiger rods are more heavy duty. I have both a 7'm tiger and a 7' mh catfish and the tiger is definitely the more sturdy of the two. I like the tigers for big heavy baits(4oz sinker and a large panfish). but the white rod at night makes a big difference. I also have a,9' mh glow stick and love it.

Tasty like FishinGuy said the Tiger line is different than the catfish line. It was originally designed for saltwater use but lately more and more guys are using them for cats. Here's a link for you showing what they come in. http://www.alltackle.com/shakespeare_ugly_stick_tiger_rod.htm

As far as the line I have 4 rods rigged up specifically for cats right now. 2 have high vis and 2 have moss green. I prefer the high vis because there are times when a fish will grab the bait and swim toward the boat or upstream or whatever and never set the clicker off. There have been times where the only way I knew that a fish was on the bait was because the high vis line showed up in the dark and I could tell it was slack or moving upstream. I really doubt that the cats care either way. They are not hook shy whatsoever so I dont see why they would be line shy. Plus most guys run a swivel off the main line so if you are concerned about it you could run high vis main line and then a crane swivel (excellent swivel) and then moss green line for a leader. I would highly advise you to use a mono shock leader anyway.

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nice flat big head, in the day time too!! congrats!!!

My son and I have really killed it the past few seasons.  It's really about presentation and depth...
 
We will be going over in detail on our YouTube channel if anyone is interested.

ALWAYS have a steel leader, or VERY strong line. Make sure your weight can slide so the catfish doesn't know he has a hook in his mouth.