Hi all
We have 1 remaining catfish in our syndicate that we have been trying to catch to move to another water.
It's estimated to be around 140-150lb as it came out 5 years ago at 80.
I'd like to give it a go and looking for advice on a rod and reel suitable for it.
Any advice would be great.
Thanks, Chris
We have 1 remaining catfish in our syndicate that we have been trying to catch to move to another water.
It's estimated to be around 140-150lb as it came out 5 years ago at 80.
I'd like to give it a go and looking for advice on a rod and reel suitable for it.
Any advice would be great.
Thanks, Chris
In reply to Post #1
If it is a one off cat you're after then a decent spod rod n reel will certainly work.
Through action rods are good for soaking up the big pulls you'll get but you'll need something fairly beefy for that size cat.
If it is a one off cat you're after then a decent spod rod n reel will certainly work.
Through action rods are good for soaking up the big pulls you'll get but you'll need something fairly beefy for that size cat.
In reply to Post #1
Don't use a spod rod,they are too stiff,leading to protracted fights which is unfair and very dangerous to the fish,causing a build up of lactic acid which can be fatal . A dedicated catfish rod is built for the job. Catfish pro do a cheap range, they are called topcat and they are around £55 each iirc. Couple that with a decent ,big pit reel loaded with 70lb braid . Owner cutting point hooks, something like a 1/0 or bigger. As for hookbait, I like to livebait for them but if you don't want to do that then a string of big halibuts, chunk of liver, half a tin on luncheon nest, or a massive bunch of worms are all decent reliable car catchers
It's probably not quite as big as you have estimated either, that's an awful big gain since it's last capture and they do slow down as they get older
Don't use a spod rod,they are too stiff,leading to protracted fights which is unfair and very dangerous to the fish,causing a build up of lactic acid which can be fatal . A dedicated catfish rod is built for the job. Catfish pro do a cheap range, they are called topcat and they are around £55 each iirc. Couple that with a decent ,big pit reel loaded with 70lb braid . Owner cutting point hooks, something like a 1/0 or bigger. As for hookbait, I like to livebait for them but if you don't want to do that then a string of big halibuts, chunk of liver, half a tin on luncheon nest, or a massive bunch of worms are all decent reliable car catchers
It's probably not quite as big as you have estimated either, that's an awful big gain since it's last capture and they do slow down as they get older
In reply to Post #3
Yep, a spod rod isn't a great idea. A pike rod of 3.5tc is a better choice when targeting smaller cats, say up to 40's. That's what I used to start with, which made sense as I already had the rods for pike fishing... since then I use Daiwa cat rods that are 10ft something and 4lb tc. Very progressive action and shorter rods are better, as you can apply more leverage. Reel - if you're not fishing at distance, a big pit isn't what I'd recommend. You want shimano D series baitrunners in the larger sizes. I always fish off the baitrunner for cats. 65lb powerpro braid for mainline or 20lb mono if braid isn't allowed. Use Kryston ton up for hook links... having said all that, if you plan on just a few trips, use your heaviest carp rods. Not ideal, but better than using a spod rod. Play them hard and off the clutch.
Baits? Depends... live baits are number one but sadly a lot of waters don't let you do that. If there are a lot of carp in the water, often cats eat what they eat and that's a problem. I find halibut pellets in quantity work in attracting cats in, rather than carp. You need to put a lot in and then plot up on them. Sausage is a good bait on all waters, squid is good in the spring and worms fished sub surface do well if there aren't too many nuisance fish. You want a minimum of 50" net, preferably a 60" and then a large mat and sling. I'd also dig out some old waterproofs as a stink jacket... they'll **** all over you. Cats are easy to catch when they're feeding, but those feeding windows can be very spaced out. I've sat on waters for long periods where I have them in front of me and nothing... then all of a sudden they go nuts. Countless times I've had double hook ups, even had a 68 and a 82 in the net at the same time. That was fun.
Yep, a spod rod isn't a great idea. A pike rod of 3.5tc is a better choice when targeting smaller cats, say up to 40's. That's what I used to start with, which made sense as I already had the rods for pike fishing... since then I use Daiwa cat rods that are 10ft something and 4lb tc. Very progressive action and shorter rods are better, as you can apply more leverage. Reel - if you're not fishing at distance, a big pit isn't what I'd recommend. You want shimano D series baitrunners in the larger sizes. I always fish off the baitrunner for cats. 65lb powerpro braid for mainline or 20lb mono if braid isn't allowed. Use Kryston ton up for hook links... having said all that, if you plan on just a few trips, use your heaviest carp rods. Not ideal, but better than using a spod rod. Play them hard and off the clutch.
Baits? Depends... live baits are number one but sadly a lot of waters don't let you do that. If there are a lot of carp in the water, often cats eat what they eat and that's a problem. I find halibut pellets in quantity work in attracting cats in, rather than carp. You need to put a lot in and then plot up on them. Sausage is a good bait on all waters, squid is good in the spring and worms fished sub surface do well if there aren't too many nuisance fish. You want a minimum of 50" net, preferably a 60" and then a large mat and sling. I'd also dig out some old waterproofs as a stink jacket... they'll **** all over you. Cats are easy to catch when they're feeding, but those feeding windows can be very spaced out. I've sat on waters for long periods where I have them in front of me and nothing... then all of a sudden they go nuts. Countless times I've had double hook ups, even had a 68 and a 82 in the net at the same time. That was fun.
In reply to Post #1
you may be a bit out on the estimated weight, we don't get enough growing periods in this country as they have in spain for instance, and cats growth rate slows down when the get older and larger.
but without a doubt it will be a decent fish even if its gained a minimum increase in weight.
I hope you allocate it to a home worthy of it, such a much maligned fish.
personally I love them.
you may be a bit out on the estimated weight, we don't get enough growing periods in this country as they have in spain for instance, and cats growth rate slows down when the get older and larger.
but without a doubt it will be a decent fish even if its gained a minimum increase in weight.
I hope you allocate it to a home worthy of it, such a much maligned fish.
personally I love them.