I have a trip planned to Crowgreen in May next year for my mates 60th and I'm wondering about strength of gear needed. I routinely fish for cats on my club lake up to 50's and it's no problem with 3.25lb test curve rods and big pit shimano reels with 20lb line, but what would you guys suggest on a lake with potentially 100lb cats?
Much appreciated.
Much appreciated.
In reply to Post #1
Depends upon your budget. The NGT rods for £35 a piece will see you through. You reels and line may need reviewing mind. Rovex in 30lb and Big game get good reviews. Or if allowed braid in 100lb. Id also be conscious of what reels you have - ive seen some destroyed from a big cat.
Depends upon your budget. The NGT rods for £35 a piece will see you through. You reels and line may need reviewing mind. Rovex in 30lb and Big game get good reviews. Or if allowed braid in 100lb. Id also be conscious of what reels you have - ive seen some destroyed from a big cat.
In reply to Post #2
I have some 12-6 Torrix TE's and 12000 Technium Mags.
My mates talking about using some 5lb test rods which initially sounded a bit brutal to me but on reflection might not be far off the mark, I don't want my Torrix snapping so cheers for the heads up on the NGT, are there any other specialist cat rods you might recommend if there's a bit more flex in the budget as an annual trip might be on the cards if it goes well.
I have some 12-6 Torrix TE's and 12000 Technium Mags.
My mates talking about using some 5lb test rods which initially sounded a bit brutal to me but on reflection might not be far off the mark, I don't want my Torrix snapping so cheers for the heads up on the NGT, are there any other specialist cat rods you might recommend if there's a bit more flex in the budget as an annual trip might be on the cards if it goes well.
In reply to Post #3
Your TE's won't snap mate but you could be pulling 20lb of drag on a big fish for a while, a 12'6" rod is far from ideal. You'll be pulling from the spigot most of the time. You can't get away from leverage mechanics on big fish. Bigger the fish shorter the rod as a rule of thumb, or a longer rod with a parabolic action which casting rods don't have mate.
Your TE's won't snap mate but you could be pulling 20lb of drag on a big fish for a while, a 12'6" rod is far from ideal. You'll be pulling from the spigot most of the time. You can't get away from leverage mechanics on big fish. Bigger the fish shorter the rod as a rule of thumb, or a longer rod with a parabolic action which casting rods don't have mate.
In reply to Post #4
Cheers for that advice, I'm definitely going to have a look at the NGT's or another suitable set of rods.
Cheers for that advice, I'm definitely going to have a look at the NGT's or another suitable set of rods.
In reply to Post #5
The NGT's are a great buy, don't hesitate!
The NGT's are a great buy, don't hesitate!
In reply to Post #1
Been seeing people keep saying that they are playing and landing cats on their normal carp gear. That's fine to 30lb, but after that, their a different beast and the fight goes on for to long.
Cats fight and give it all, on the bank their easy to handle because their done. If the rights to long, when they go back, full of lactic acid, then they go out on the bottom and try to survive. In some cases they die and never show up again.
Please of talk on it all on the catfish conservation site.
Play them hard, get them in as quick as you can and then put them back strong, let someone else have a go at them another day.
I use 37 rovex10x line for cats up to 70 and then 60 mono for snags and bigger fish. I can't use braid mainline on the waters I fish. Cats destroy reels very quickly as I have found out a few times.
These Ngt rods are getting a good following for the money.
Been seeing people keep saying that they are playing and landing cats on their normal carp gear. That's fine to 30lb, but after that, their a different beast and the fight goes on for to long.
Cats fight and give it all, on the bank their easy to handle because their done. If the rights to long, when they go back, full of lactic acid, then they go out on the bottom and try to survive. In some cases they die and never show up again.
Please of talk on it all on the catfish conservation site.
Play them hard, get them in as quick as you can and then put them back strong, let someone else have a go at them another day.
I use 37 rovex10x line for cats up to 70 and then 60 mono for snags and bigger fish. I can't use braid mainline on the waters I fish. Cats destroy reels very quickly as I have found out a few times.
These Ngt rods are getting a good following for the money.
In reply to Post #1
Look at the cat pro top cat rods, only slightly dearer than the ngt and way better. Those ngt are junk. As a side note, you should never be targeting cats using carp rods, they don't have enough backbone and lead to prolonged battles which can cause lactic acid build up in the cat and cause them to belly up and die.
Look at the cat pro top cat rods, only slightly dearer than the ngt and way better. Those ngt are junk. As a side note, you should never be targeting cats using carp rods, they don't have enough backbone and lead to prolonged battles which can cause lactic acid build up in the cat and cause them to belly up and die.