Looking for a catfish rod

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Eman89so
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2012/01/27 01:55:28 (permalink)

Looking for a catfish rod

What's my best bet for a affordable catfish rod? I have looked at a few different walmarts and GM's I haven't seen much that caught my eye. I have an Okuma 8' that i picked up at kmart for cheap and I'm looking to buy another one because I want to get more into some flathead fishing. I'm looking for around a 9' Medium. Rod reel combo is good too. If anyone has anything laying around shoot me a PM I am from SW Pa. Thanks, Ed
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    FishinGuy
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 06:19:03 (permalink)
    I have a 9'mh(10-30lb line, 1-5oz lure) glow stick, a 7' m(10-50lb line) ugly stik tiger. I really like them both I like the action on the tiger a lil better, but you can't beat the glow stick for night time visibility. I recently picked up a 10'm(15-40lb line, 3-8oz lure) offshore angler power plus surf rod(super cheap from bass pro) this thing is stout, I haven't used it yet so I can't really say how it is, but all 3 of these are relatively cheap. The first two have no trouble throwing 3oz and a big gil quite a ways out there. I also have a 7'mh(15-30 lb line) ugly stick catfish, its a baitcaster, but for reference the m tiger rod is much more stout than the mh catfish rod. None are for sale, sorry.
    post edited by FishinGuy - 2012/01/27 08:49:38
    #2
    toad01
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 08:13:49 (permalink)
    i go w/ mh unless you plan on catching all small ones it doesnt hurt to have a little more backbone imo
    i picked up a 6-6 mh rhino made by dupont cheap its made in china so it probaly came from wally world kids use it for carp in pymie and it bends an flexes pretty good a 20# cat on a med rod would work if u used lighter line

    SIZE MATTERS
    #3
    tigercat
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 09:13:53 (permalink)
    Ugly Stik Tiger rod. Perfect for big flatheads and sensitive enough for Channels. I have 4 and the can't be beat for $55.00.
    #4
    flyingmoles
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 09:27:48 (permalink)
    fishusa has mh ugly stiks 8' to 10' for around $70
    #5
    SevenMileShowcase
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 12:03:40 (permalink)
    I got a 7 ft ugly stick lite pro, medium action that is awesome. Every fight is a blast and it's an ugly stik I mean they never break

    East side love is living on the west end
    #6
    Eman89so
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 13:10:17 (permalink)
    Do you guys like using the 7' over the longer rods? I have always been under the impression the longer the better? Ed
    #7
    Fisherlady2
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 13:24:15 (permalink)
    Depends on where you are using it from...

    If you are fishing from clear bank area, or a boat, longer can really help launch a good sized bait out there.
    But if you are frequently in areas with a lot of trees along the banks, then longer can be
    a disaster to try to get a full cast with.

    Shorter can be great if you aren't usually looking to get great distance or any time you
    are in a congested situation (such as a boat with 2 other guys or heavily overgrown river
    bank)
    #8
    Eman89so
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 13:38:54 (permalink)
    It's going to be more open bank fishing. Sometimes fishing some pay lakes. I live close to the Mon river at school so alot of my fishing will be done around there. I think I would like an 8' MH something right in the middle. What line am i looking at? 20# do the job? Ed
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    FishinGuy
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 16:04:08 (permalink)
    I run 50lb braid mianly because of snags and abrasion resistance. a friend of mine broke off 2 in one night using 50lb spiderwire stealth braid. If you get a "freshwater" ugly stick I would have to recommend a h model. The tiger and saltwater ones are rated much differently. My m tiger is rated for 50lb line and the mh catfish version is only rated for 30lb, not that I pay much attention to this number normally, but the m tiger is MUCH more stout than the mh catfish. you really have to lob a bait if you're using an underpowered rod(my 7'm ugly stick lite,pro is horrible at casting 2oz sinkers w big bait). And I do have to be careful where I stand when I cast my 9 footer, but it really bombs a bait out there. BTW, look into getting a bait runner or bait feeder style reel, assuming your getting a spinning rod.
    #10
    Eman89so
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 16:29:59 (permalink)
    yes i do want to get a baitrunner with the rod. I just started last summer getting into the sport of catfishing and I ran 40# trilene big cat on my reel and it is a mess i can barely cast it. I want to put some strong line onto that one and then maybe 30# on a lighter rod.
    #11
    FishinGuy
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 16:56:20 (permalink)
    Power pro has been my favorite so far. Fireline and spiderwire stealth fray a little too easy from my experience, I like suffix performance braid, but haven't used it over 6lb test. High vis line is very nice at night, I just put 65lb bright yellow power pro on my new daiwa regal plus 5500bri got all 300yds on w a little backing if I remember correctly.
    #12
    Chris Johnson
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 17:23:27 (permalink)
    Power Pro is my favorite braid. Sufix 832 is good as well, I had 65# on a baitcaster/musky rod that ran beautifully last year. Okuma makes an affordable baitrunner, available at FishUSA, here. I have a 65 and 50 that have yet to give me any problems.

    I use Ugly Sticks when bait fishing.

    Can anyone recommend a good rod pod? With three rods this year, one would help me stay organized. I'm thinking of making one out of a wooden tv table as a last resort.

    A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn't.
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    Mountian Man
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 18:02:53 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Eman89so

    Do you guys like using the 7' over the longer rods? I have always been under the impression the longer the better? Ed


    I actually have a setup I'm gonna sell..2 12' IM7 Silvers with a 3lb TC landed carp up to 40lbs and a few flats on them. You can blast a 4oz bait with those well over a 100 yards on a good cast...Also got heavy duty Big Pit Baitrunners for them that'll hold alot of 20-30lb braid.

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    #14
    Mountian Man
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 18:16:06 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Chris Johnson
    Can anyone recommend a good rod pod? With three rods this year, one would help me stay organized. I'm thinking of making one out of a wooden tv table as a last resort.


    Depends on how high/low you want your rod tips, BFS has some cheap (under $100) they seem to be build pretty stable...but I personally don't like the overall look of them

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    #15
    Chris Johnson
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 19:32:20 (permalink)
    Ground level, >1' is fine.

    I've seen the BFS, Nash and Fox, online and was wondering if one was built better, last longer ... I'd like to spend around 100$ on a half decent one. I haven't seen a lot of them around (in use) to ask how they hold up. BFS has a couple in that range, the Fox Stalker looks stout at ~140$.

    I agree with ya, they ain't the prettiest things,

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    Mountian Man
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 19:54:19 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Chris Johnson

    Ground level, >1' is fine.

    I've seen the BFS, Nash and Fox, online and was wondering if one was built better, last longer ... I'd like to spend around 100$ on a half decent one. I haven't seen a lot of them around (in use) to ask how they hold up. BFS has a couple in that range, the Fox Stalker looks stout at ~140$.

    I agree with ya, they ain't the prettiest things,



    Personally I went with a goal post setup with sticks and buzz bars the past year since it make everything look neater and hell of a lot lighter. Unless I'm at Twin or some other place where I can't get them in the ground.

    But back to pods...

    Avoid Nash period, they are having alot of quality control issues with alot of their products the past few months.

    One of the best ones I used was a Technipeche Quad, made of coat black steel, stable, and it could be adjusted at all heights and angles but it weighted a ton. Plus I don't think they make it anymore?

    Fox makes really nice light pods at reasonable prices. Idk if the stalker has cam-locks but if it does like the horizon you'll need to put rubber o-rings in between the lock over a couple years of use or the legs won't lock.

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    #17
    Chris Johnson
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 20:46:01 (permalink)
    Sweet! thanks for the info M'Man. When possible I do goal posts with just sticks, but usually fish from hard ground/rock.

    A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn't.
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    Mountian Man
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/27 21:01:47 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Chris Johnson

    Sweet! thanks for the info M'Man. When possible I do goal posts with just sticks, but usually fish from hard ground/rock.


    No prob, dunno if this will change your mind on the pod but fox came out with a bankstick that deals with hard ground and rock. comes with a tommy bar and instead of a plan spike it has a heavy duty screw in deal. @$20-$25 a piece now.

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    BIGHEAD
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/28 05:44:17 (permalink)
    Hey Eman I have been using 7' m/h Action uglystick's original, They have lasted quite a few years now with plenty of life in them. Got a new one and put a Okuma 90 Avenger Bait-feeder on it took 300 yards of powerpro 80 pound. This thing will haul in a dump truck LOL All cost 130 bucks. I think the 90 series is a bit much but fighting some of those monster Flats can take a toll on a reel. Dave
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    FishinGuy
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/28 08:41:43 (permalink)
    Just curious bighead, what lb line are those rods rated for? Do you do any shore casting? Just wondering if there's a difference between the catfish and the regular models.
    #21
    BIGHEAD
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/28 16:41:11 (permalink)
    F/G they are rated for 8-20lb But I have been using 40-80 and they seam to handle it pretty good. Yes I do some shore fishing, I can cast as far as I need to And most places I shore fish It is a far cast. Dave
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    Eman89so
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/28 18:34:39 (permalink)
    I found a couple Ugly Stick 8' for 20 bucks. Haven't bought anything yet. Still looking for a good price on a bait runner
    #23
    BIGHEAD
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/28 18:44:16 (permalink)
    try amazon got my Okuma for like 49.99 and that was the choice of the 60 and 90 series
    #24
    fish whisper
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/29 14:22:18 (permalink)
    I got a CatMaxx 3 off basspro and love it for all big gamefish. It has a baitclicker so you can hear the strike and has a lot of backbone
    #25
    wrighter00
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/29 23:20:19 (permalink)
    I have 2 nice combos. PM sent

    I'd rather be fishin...
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    Eman89so
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/30 00:11:05 (permalink)
    Wrighter I sent you a PM it said that you could not receive it. Shoot me a email sob3312@calu.edu
    #27
    SevenMileShowcase
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/30 02:41:16 (permalink)
    Geese I use 10 lb braide and a 7' ugly stik but I'm thinking about getting a noodle to male it fun, you guys recommend those

    East side love is living on the west end
    #28
    FishinGuy
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/30 07:04:16 (permalink)
    All depends where your fishing. We lost a lot of gear and fish on snags cinder block and near shore brush. Few years ago my wife had to drag a 6lb channel right through the middle of a partially submerged bush on a high water day. If I felt I had a chance, I would use lighter gear. Big cats can really roll up your line and spit the hook, when you feel a 20+lb flat thumping and rolling on your line, sometimes you gotta horse em to straighten em out.
    #29
    akitadog
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    RE: Looking for a catfish rod 2012/01/30 20:31:50 (permalink)
    hey eman, if your gonna be hitten the lakes and river banks i wouldnt go no less than 10'. with a 10' to 12' heavy action rod you can chuck some pretty big baits pretty far. for the lakes an ambassador 6500 with the clicker with 20# or 25# big game is the way to go. river feeshen you may want the bait runner with 30# to 50# cause of the debree under the water that you cant see. stay away from the braid it floats so when using a float the wind will grab your line and keep blowing your float down the lake. thats not good around a crowded lake, and the braid seems to dry wrot pretty fast. buy some big game.
    #30
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