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Catfishing
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0nslow

Posts: 1487

#4 4 Jun 2026 at 6.05am

Thank you both that's really helpful.

My place doesn't reopen until 16th so I've got a little time to get some stuff sorted

ip100

Posts: 12442

#3 3 Jun 2026 at 10.37pm

In reply to Post #1
ÍThe rod will just about do as long as it's not a snaggy water that you need to really hang on to them. If you catch one or 2 and enjoy it get yourself some dedicated rods, as prolonged fights can cause a build up of lactic acid which can easily be fatal for them.. Up your mainline though, at least 20lb. You want very strong very sharp hooks. I use owner cutting points exclusively for them. Go big too, 1/0 or bigger. Running rigs, using a good braid hooklink. Minimum of 30lb coated braid, in a ideal world stronger. Quicksilver is a decent choice . Fish 3 or 4 boilies on a loop , although you may get dropped runs from carp on them. Polish sausage is a really good cat bait, a nice 2 inch chunk on a hair .keep the hairs so the top of your bait is fairly close to the bottom of the hook. Or use a bit of fish or liver directly on the hook. Make sure to have strong long nosed pliers for unhooking, if you hook them in certain spots where the mouth is tough you can struggle to get them out with normal forceps without bending them.
Fish your bait runner or clutch slack as they don't like resistance, and hit the runs pretty hard as the mouth is really boney in places

The_Andyman

Posts: 11270

#2 3 Jun 2026 at 8.19pm

In reply to Post #1
The rod will do as will the line if no snags, else step the line up a bit

Get some decent strong coated hook length material, maybe catlink if you don't mind buying. Their mini teeth like things in the mouth are very abrasive so will often grate through normal rig material, although it is also very possible to catch them on normal stuff. If fishing for them by choice it makes sense to reduce potential issues.

A stronger and bigger hook will certainly help, although also very possible to land them on normal carp hooks too.

Hair to suit whatever bait really, maybe 3 boilies if using them.

They'll Hoover up a pile of bait no problem, if you can mix in some fishy pellets or boilies then all the better.

0nslow

Posts: 1487

#1 3 Jun 2026 at 7.42pm

One of the waters on my ticket has got cats to 50lb and I've never caught one, so fancy having a go for them.

I've got 12ft 3.25 fast action rods old emblem excelers with 15lb mono and I need to get some 50" arms for the landing net. I've got about 7kg of mixes boilies to start with guessing they like to eat a lot?

I'm guessing this be OK and any tips on the business end, just longer rigs with big hairs and big hooks?


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