cat rod on a budget

just wanted to see if anybody can recommend a good rod for less than $50 as I dont usually spend a ton of money on rods
 
 
thanks

Shakespeare and Berkley both have decent and economical rods, the Ugly Stick in a medium/heavy or heavy in a 8 to 10 ft (depending on what your target cat is and what bait). shorter ones for in boat convenience and longer ones for shore fishing where casting distance is an issue. I've also used a pair of Berkley 'glow rods' for past 3 seasons with no problems. Many out there are specifically directed at cats and budget friendly. Make sure whatever you get has a decent length butt on it because it makes it easier on your arms when fighting a heavier fish (at least it does for me). And a strong backbone in the lower half of the rod for leverage. I do prefer the tip and upper third or so of the rod to have a lot of flex to help absorb the shock of casting and to give you some shock absorbancy when fighting a big fish on a no stretch line such as braid.
If you want to handle before you buy then find somewhere with a large variety to pick from, even if you don't buy from that store you can't beat being able to hold a few different ones to help decide. If you are OK with 'on line' sales I would suggest contacting the folks at Fish USA and explaining what you are looking for and seeing what they have available or recommend.
Good luck 

Depends on your intentions. If you're river fishing for large cats, or just general catfishin' for smaller & mid size channel cat. For general purposes, and within that price range, Id probably go with something in the ugly stick line, 7 footer in medium heavy is about right. Around 30 bucks i believe. You can get by with lighter rod, but wouldnt because even the medium heavy is only rated to 3/4 ounce, and the lighter ugly sticks get a bit too "whippy" for reliable hooksets and casting cat bait & lead.

For big cat river fishing, im very biased as to what i like, I really love ugly stik's Tiger Lite 7 foot heavy model. but its around 60 bucks. If theres a better rod for my purposes, Ive yet to see it. Also good for the occaisional musky fishin'.

ORIGINAL: wayne c


For big cat river fishing, im very biased as to what i like, I really love ugly stik's Tiger Lite 7 foot heavy model. but its around 60 bucks. If theres a better rod for my purposes, Ive yet to see it. Also good for the occaisional musky fishin'.

I have the same rod, but the whuppin stick model. Hands down the best rod for BIG fish. It really let's you put the screws to those bigger fish. I paired it with an okuma baitfeeder (40 bucks from fishusa). Awesome set up.

ORIGINAL: benthook62

online visit this page...bankfishingsystems.com

http://www.bankfishingsystems.com/index.php?option=com_digistore&task=list_products&id=2&Itemid=30

i bought 2 of the 12' 25 dollar rods had them for 2 years and i can hit the middle of the mon river with a 3oz bank fishing sinker...

All they carry is junk ...Sayth the Tackle Tart

zebco hawg seeker

ORIGINAL: benthook62
can you make a list of the junk items i most certainly would not want to buy them....but what i did buy...i haven't seen any better at the price that handles anywhere near the weight....or has the length for bank fishing....
thanks

Thankfully I only every owned one piece of BFS crap, but I know guys that got sucked in by the cheap****pricing and this is what happen to some of their stuff.

Bite Alarms: One little rain shower and they are shot no matter how much you dry them out.
Shelters: Heavy rain will leak through the seams.
Reels: After heavy carp fishing the drags are shot, sometimes the bearings fall loose, and they are just ****.
Holdalls/ aka Rod Bags: Are barely padded, and the seams rip just by looking at it.
Throwing Spoons: This was the one and only thing I ever bought off them. Spoon snapped after five minutes of use. Never did get my ****ing money back after sending a few emails
Rods: Fished with a guy today that owns two and broke one casting a 2oz weight only 40 yards. For a 12' "carp rod" though they just don't feel right and lacks a nice action.

The Centron pods are the only thing worth buying just from what I seen. It's far from being "sexy" though

I could care less if anyone wants to buy from them goright ahead, it's not my money. This is from what I seen...Just sayin'

You mustve misread gator. The man said he was looking for a cheap "cat" rod. Not a cheap"bass" rod.

ORIGINAL: Fisherlady2

Shakespeare and Berkley both have decent and economical rods, the Ugly Stick in a medium/heavy or heavy in a 8 to 10 ft (depending on what your target cat is and what bait). shorter ones for in boat convenience and longer ones for shore fishing where casting distance is an issue. I've also used a pair of Berkley 'glow rods' for past 3 seasons with no problems. Many out there are specifically directed at cats and budget friendly. Make sure whatever you get has a decent length butt on it because it makes it easier on your arms when fighting a heavier fish (at least it does for me). And a strong backbone in the lower half of the rod for leverage. I do prefer the tip and upper third or so of the rod to have a lot of flex to help absorb the shock of casting and to give you some shock absorbancy when fighting a big fish on a no stretch line such as braid.
If you want to handle before you buy then find somewhere with a large variety to pick from, even if you don't buy from that store you can't beat being able to hold a few different ones to help decide. If you are OK with 'on line' sales I would suggest contacting the folks at Fish USA and explaining what you are looking for and seeing what they have available or recommend.
Good luck 

This is a very good post and I agree with everything she said

cut down a good stick from a tree add line and a hook you catch fish. it work's no money here .just for the line and hook . i do dream on