Table of Contents. Copyright Notice 3. About the Author 4. Introduction 6. Catfish Gear My Commitment 9. Rod Terminology 10

Transcription

1

2 Table of Contents Copyright Notice 3 About the Author 4 Introduction 6 Catfish Gear My Commitment 9 Rod Terminology 10 The Long Rod Advantage 11 Rod Guides 14 Channel Catfish Guides 15 Blue Catfish Rods 18 Flathead Catfish Rod 22 Rods for Shore Fishing 23 Circle Hooks Rod 24 Catfish Reels 25 Reel Talk 28 Channel Catfish Reels 32 Blue/Flathead Reels 34 Quality Fishing Reels 37 Getting Good Deals 39 Catfish Fishing Line 45 Setup for Success 49 Quick Recap 59 More Resources 61 Premium Products 62 2

3 COPYRIGHT NOTICE COPYRIGHT - LEGAL NOTICE Copyright, Legal Notice and Disclaimer: This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act Of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights: you are not allowed to give or sell this Guide to anyone else. If you received this publication from anyone other than Learn To Catch Catfish or any authorized outlets, you've received a pirated copy. Please contact us via at chad@learntocatchcatfish.com and notify us of the situation. Please note that much of this publication is based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence. Although the author and publisher have made every reasonable attempt to achieve complete accuracy of the content in this Guide, they assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Also, you should use this information as you see fit, and at your own risk. Your particular situation may not be exactly suited to the examples illustrated here; in fact, it's likely that they won't be the same, and you should adjust your use of the information and recommendations accordingly. Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if we use one of these terms. Finally, use your head. Nothing in this Guide is intended to replace common sense, legal, medical or other professional advice, and is meant to inform and entertain the reader only. Copyright 2013 Chad Ferguson Learn To Catch Catfish Catfishing247Networks. All rights reserved worldwide. 3

4 ABOUT THE AUTHOR MEET CHAD FERGUSON Chad Ferguson is a native Texan who lives in Saginaw Texas and one of the most avid catfish anglers you will ever meet. Chad grew up fishing in Texas and has been fishing for catfish as long as he can remember. Some of his earliest memories are fishing for catfish and striped bass as a child on Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas. Chad owns and operate North Texas Catfish Guide Service and runs guided fishing trips for blue, channel and flathead catfish on several lakes in the Dallas / Fort Worth area including Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Worth, Lake Lewisville and the Brazos River (just to name a few). He fishes for anything that has whiskers but prefers fishing for blue catfish and channel catfish and specializes in catching trophy class blue catfish on rod and reel. Chad also manufactures a popular catfish bait for jug fishing and trotlines called Redneck's Catfish Bait Soap. This is lye soap catfish bait made from his family s recipe that dates back over seventy years. He has been manufacturing and selling Redneck s Catfish Bait Soap throughout the United States for over ten years now and hand makes every batch of catfish bait one batch at a time with his son in Saginaw, Texas. In addition to being a guide and bait manufacturer Chad also writes a popular blog about catfishing called Learn To Catch Catfish where he shares catfishing tips, tricks and information to help anglers learn how to catch catfish using the same techniques he uses as a professional catfish guide. Through Learn To Catch Catfish he has taken a multimedia approach to educating anglers and promoting the sport of catfishing using articles, online video, social networking and Catfishing Radio, a podcast radio show. 4

5 For years catfishing has been a secretive sport with very few anglers willing to share their insights into what makes them successful. With the increased popularity of catching catfish across the United States, Chad has a goal of to create a one stop resource for both beginning and veteran anglers to learn how to catch more and bigger catfish. Chad lives in Saginaw Texas with his wife Leanne and two children who both enjoy fishing and being in the outdoors. Chad has been featured through numerous outdoor media outlets due to his catfishing expertise including Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, Texas Fish and Game, Texas Sportsman s Journal, Fox Sports, The Men s Channel, Versus and more. Most of the locals refer to Chad as Redneck a nickname he picked up years ago from his old habit of fishing in a big wide brimmed cowboy hat in the summer, but it was the cowboy boots and shorts that really caught folk s attention. 5

6 INTRODUCTION FROM LEARN TO CATCH CATFISH Catfish Gear 101 is the first in a series of free e-books, audio and video tutorials through Learn To Catch Catfish to help as a resource for catfish anglers who visit the site. By design blog style websites and websites with a lot of information on them (like Learn To Catch Catfish) can be very difficult to keep organized and keep information in a manner where someone can go through it in an orderly fashion. Because of this, I ve wanted to create a series for quite some time to help provide this information on a systematic and organized way so catfish anglers can easily learn this information through the website without having to hunt around and try to find it. This is the first in that series of information. If for some reason you have received this from somewhere other than the Learn To Catch Catfish website please click here and enter your address to sign up for this free series through the website so you have access to all the information available. 6

7 CATFISH GEAR 101 GEAR UP FOR A CAT FIGHT Catfish gear and tackle are one of the items I get questioned about constantly. These questions cover everything from rods and reels to hooks and catfish tackle. This book is a guide to catfish rods and reels to help you get started with the right gear so you will be successful and catch more fish and not waste a bunch of money in the process. Everything you need to know to get started is covered in this book including choosing rods and reels, the right line to use and setting your rods and reels up correctly so you can cast and won t lose fish. It s important to understand that even the best gear out there is not going to help you catch fish and your primary focus should never be on rods, reels or tackle but on learning how to pattern fish and get your baits in front of them. I wrote a great article that covers this called 5 Rookie Catfishing Mistakes You Don t Want To Make that you should definitely read if you have not done so already. These are all good general overviews of equipment. There may be specific techniques I use where I suggest specific gear but for the most part the items listed below are going to be exactly what you need for a vast majority of your fishing. Over the past ten years I have tried just about every style of rod and reel out there and have tested brand after brand. I know what works well for me, my fishing style and the catfish I catch but I still branch out frequently and try new styles and brands of gear. Through these trials I always come back to the same style gear and often the same brands because they work best for me. Everyone s fishing style is different, and the fish they target can all be different. Through my catfish guide service and my personal fishing I focus on catching blue, channel and flathead catfish and at different times of the year will focus on everything from one pound fish all the way up to the biggest trophy class fish out there and my gear works for these applications. An angler that is exclusively going to fish tournaments and target trophy class fish all the time will have different requirements for fishing gear than the angler that is going to fish for channel catfish. 7

8 I m providing suggestions for all techniques and all size catfish, as well as good general purpose gear throughout this book. As you venture into buying your first catfish gear or upgrading your existing gear, you should consider what your primary goals will be including: Which catfish species you will be targeting What size catfish you will be targeting What techniques you expect to be using When you make the decision to try a rod and reel or any gear for that matter, just buy one rod or one reel and try them. Don t go out and buy a dozen rods or reels until you have spent some time fishing with them so you can see if they are a good fit for you. You will be much happier in the long run. 8

9 MY COMMITTMENT I WON T PEDDLE JUNK FOR A BUCK! Since I started Learn To Catch Catfish I ve made a commitment to the readers. I will not tell you that you need something that you don t to simply plug a product. I will not recommend a product to you that I have not personally used myself or do not personally believe in. If I write or talk about a product I cover the good, and the bad. I won t try to peddle junk for the sake of advertising dollars. I turn away requests from people on a weekly basis who want me to talk about their products in exchange for money, free gear or advertising dollars and I don t because their products either serve no purpose when it comes to fishing for catfish or are not of the quality that I expect. Simply put, the products I recommend are the products that I use. I use them because they are quality products available at a fair price and have proven themselves under heavy use in my catfish guide service and personal fishing. A NOTE ABOUT SUGGESTED PRODUCTS The rods and reels suggested in this book are items I have experience with, have used in the past or am currently using to fish with. It would not be possible for me to cover every rod and reel on the market for fishing for catfish nor would I want to, so my goal is to provide you with an overview of products I have confidence in and that are readily available. If you are interested in purchasing rods and reels not covered in this manual or on the Learn To Catch Catfish website please feel free to me through the contact page on the website with your questions and I will be happy to help steer you in the right direction. 9

10 ROD TERMINOLOGY ACTION AND POWER There are a couple of critical terms you need to understand about fishing rods, power and action. Rod power is the strength of the rod. Rod power ranges from ultra light to heavy. Different species of catfish call for different applications and in most situations a medium (M) or medium light (ML) action will be best for channel catfish and for blue catfish a medium heavy (MH) action is most often preferred. Rod action is determined from the position at which the fishing rod starts to bend when a load is applied to it. A fast action rod will bend mostly in the area around and nearest to the tip. A slow action rod will bend throughout most of the blank or everything from the end of the handle to the tip of the rod. Most people take a fishing rod in a store and hold it out in front of them and begin to shake the rod to see what happens, which tells you absolutely nothing at all. Look at the side of the fishing rod and look for the action and power, this tells you everything you need to know without shaking the fishing rod. What s The Best Action and Power? A fast action rod will have less flex throughout the fishing rod so the faster the action the more power you have in the hook set. A fast action also helps with casting baits like prepared baits or livers. The fast action helps soften some of the blow and helps keep baits from flying off during casting. What s the right action and power for fishing for catfish? It depends on what you are fishing for and how you are fishing. One option is to go middle of the road and make the gear work for all applications through adjustments in your fishing. The other option is to get specialized equipment for every situation but end up with tons of fishing rods getting gear suited for every application and technique. Then you add the complication of fishing 10

11 with multiple rods and needing to change techniques or approaches and not having the correct gear for the correct application. I ve always used the approach of finding the right gear that will work for all of my needs, or at least most of my needs and it has always worked for me. A long rod with a fast tip can still have plenty of power giving you the ability to finesse fish but still having the capability of landing big trophy class catfish as well, this all comes down to the anglers ability, understanding of how to properly land a large fish, and last but probably most important, not getting in a hurry when landing large fish. Having some flex in the tip of the fishing rod is also important for technique as well. I prefer to have some movement in the tip of the rod because it provides a wealth of information with what the fish are doing. For example, if fishing on anchor it s common, especially in shallower water, for catfish to bite and run at the boat. When a rod is in a rod holder with some slight flex in the tip I can watch not only for the line to go slack but also watch the rod tips for the flex to give or the rod to straighten out, indicating there is a bite. The rod tip is important when fishing with circle hooks also. A rod with very little flex in the tip will not work as well with a circle hook as rod that has some flex to it in the tip. This is commonly referred to as loading the rod when a fish bites and the rod flexes and bends at the tip when fishing with circle hooks. A fast or moderate action fishing rod is going to be preferred for most catfishing applications. 11

12 THE LONG ROD ADVANTAGE WHAT THE BEST ANGLERS KNOW There are many options when it comes to fishing rod length and many anglers don t have a good understanding of how much the length of a fishing rod impacts fishing. Longer fishing rods provide a number of advantages. Extra length provides a substantial advantage when you are casting. The longer the fishing rod, the further you can cast (when used properly). When using finesse fishing techniques, casting in and around heavy cover, a longer fishing rod will provide more accuracy. This added accuracy when casting into tight areas is a huge benefit and also gives more control for pulling fish out of the heavy cover. Extra length also allows you to better control larger fish when fighting them and bringing them into the boat. When fishing from a boat and using certain techniques (like drift fishing) longer fishing rods can help you cover more water, therefore increasing the number of fish you come into contact with. What s the ideal rod length? It depends on where you are fishing from and what you are fishing for. When fishing from a boat I prefer a fishing rod no shorter than 7 0 or 7 6 in length and my overall preference is an 8 6 fishing rod. If I was fishing from the shore exclusively and needed the ability to make super long casts to get to the fish, I would be using the longest fishing rod I could find. This is why most successful shore anglers use fishing rods that are as long as ten feet. The most successful anglers I know, from a large group of hardcore tournament fishermen, professional catfish guides (myself included) and serious catfish anglers all use longer fishing rods and all understand the advantage of a long fishing rod. With a longer fishing rod you get increased casting distance not only when casting in open water but also in and around heavier cover. You get more control and accuracy when casting with a long rod as well. When landing fish with a longer fishing rod you get more control through more leverage and the ability to do more from a fixed position. 12

13 One of the funniest things I have seen on the water over the years is anglers trying to land big catfish with short fishing rods typically used for bass fishing. The biggest challenge when you hook a big fish is getting it off the bottom and then controlling it. When a fish is on the bottom the fish is in control. Once you get the fish off the bottom and can hold it there the angler is in control. When you get a large catfish up to the side of the boat or the edge of the bank, the fight is not over. More often than not large ill tempered fish will make another run towards the boat, under the boat, or in any other direction imaginable. Particularly problematic is when these fish run towards anchor ropes, drift socks or anything else that they can break off on or get tangled in. When you are landing a good fish you are going to have to do some moving around and with a short rod and lack of leverage it certainly makes things interesting trying to manage a large fish. I lost one of the best fish a client had ever hooked while we were channel catfishing with shorter fishing rods. After a lengthy fight the big blue catfish made a run for the back of the boat and broke off on the propeller, never to be seen again. I m convinced to this day had we been fishing with my longer blue catfish gear we would have landed the fish. For boat fishing a fishing rod of at least 7 0 or 7 6 inches is best but my preference is an 8 6 fishing rod as it provides better casting distance as well as more leverage and control over the larger fish. If you are fishing from the shore, the longer your fishing rod the more casting distance you will have so the longer the rod the better off you will be in most instances. The biggest challenge with most fishing rods build for shore fishing in extra long lengths is most of these rods are really heavy and lack sensitivity. 13

14 ROD GUIDES THAT LITTLE ROUND DEAL ON THE ROD Rod guides or eyes are something that many anglers don t pay much attention to. Most quality fishing rods will have at least one guide per foot of fishing rod and this is important to eyeball and inspect. Manufacturers of cheap fishing rods will include fewer line guides in an attempt to cut costs and these rods should be avoided. Line guides transfer vibrations through the fishing rod during a nibble or bite and help you to feel what is taking place. They also distribute stress throughout the fishing rod when fighting a fish. A rod that does not have enough guides will have less feeling and will also be more prone to being broken due to stress. The number of line guides is rarely a concern in a quality fishing rod but more important is the material the guides that are made of. The common type of guides used in lower end fishing rods are those with ceramic inserts. These work fine but through normal wear and tear of the fishing rod will often fall out or get knocked out of the rod and require replacement. Better options are the newer line guide materials that don t involve ceramic inserts and there are a variety of materials available that eliminate the ceramic inserts and use a variety of metal materials including stainless steel. The advantage of these line guides is they are one piece and there is generally not an insert to get knocked out (or fall out) so there is less maintenance and repair. 14

15 CHANNEL CATFISH RODS GEAR UP FOR CHANNEL CATFISH Channel catfish rods need to be light and sensitive. Most anglers tend to lean towards catfish rods or fishing rods that say catfish on them somewhere and this is NOT when you need when it comes to channel catfish. These rods are marketed by tackle companies towards catfish anglers and I will be the first to say that most tackle manufacturers don t have the slightest clue what catfish anglers need or what works best for them. I often refer to these types of rods as broomstick rods because they are thick and heavy like a broomstick and they lack sensitivity. Every single technique I use for channel catfish involves holding the fishing rod. I believe 100% that if you hold the rod when fishing for channel catfish you will catch more fish and a more sensitive fishing rod will help you catch more fish. My focus when fishing for channel catfish is on catching numbers not size and I use what I refer to as finesse fishing techniques using a product I called the Secret Catfish Rig to help detect what is an often ultra light bite of channel catfish. In most lakes and rivers in the United States this is the best approach to fishing for channel catfish. Most waters fish from 1-5 lbs are going to be common and the most abundant fish available. There are very few waters in the United States that consistently produce trophy channel catfish so this gear is going to be a good fit for 99% of the anglers out there. Truth is, when it comes to channel catfish you can use most any old fishing gear but there are a couple of fishing rods I really like. What I look for in a channel catfish rod is: 15

16 Power A medium (M) or medium light (ML) Length At least 7 feet long but I really like a 7 6 length rod Handle A good long handle that is easy to manage and comfortable Material I like a graphite rod or a sensitive e-glass rod The fishing rods I prefer for channel catfish are: Ugly Stik CAL ML Action Ugly Stik is a not a glamorous fishing rod you ll see anglers using on the pro bass fishing circuits but they build a good quality fishing rod and sell them for an affordable price. Ugly Stik rods are hard to beat when it comes to a no frills fishing rod that will last a long time. They are rock solid and have one of the best warranties in the business. I have about a ten of these Ugly Stik CAL ML (medium light) rods that I have been using for well over 10 years and while they show some wear, they are still in great shape and still get used heavily. I cannot begin to tell you how many tens of thousands of channel catfish I have caught on these rods. These rods cost anywhere from $25 to $35 depending on where you buy them and I highly recommend them for fishing rods for channel catfish. Tournament Choice Black Medium Action Rod My clients broke a few of my Ugly Stik Rods over the years and on a tackle run to Academy Sporting Goods one day I found a rod in the store that during a sale was about $6, regular price was around $10 or $12 each. After some inspection I decided it was worth a try and bought several of them. After using these bargain bin fishing rods for about a month I decided they were well worth the money I spent on them and that I would have gladly paid at least $20 each for them. This was after catching about one thousand fish with them during the peak of my channel catfish fishing season. I m not as fond of these rods as my Ugly Stik CAL1100 ML rods but for a $6 fishing rod, who can complain?. Bottom line is they do the job. Now, Academy Sporting Goods is a big chain but they don t have stores all over the country. There is nothing special about this fishing rod, it s only an example. 16

17 It s an example that you can get an excellent fishing rod for channel catfish for less than $15 to $20 (or even less than $10). I put more time on the water with clients in a month or two than most people will in an entire year and a simple fishing rod I picked up for less than $10 has lasted through almost two full years of fishing Contrary to what tackle manufacturers want you to believe you don t need some really expensive rods to catch catfish. If you don t have an Academy in your area, then go to your local sporting goods retailer and pick up an Ugly Stik CAL ML rod or look for a fishing rod that is 7 0 or 7 6 in length that is a medium (M) or medium light (ML) power. I ve been in very few major retail chains over the years that did not have some sort of comparable model that would meet these requirements. The Ugly Stik CAL ML is by far the most readily available and easiest to find is an excellent fishing rod for channel catfish. Channel catfish caught in a few hours using light gear and the Secret Catfish Rig 17

18 BLUE CATFISH RODS GEAR UP FOR BLUE CATFISH Blue Catfish rods can be broken down into two categories. Rods for big trophy blue catfish Rods for every day one to ten pound catfish or box fish. The term box fish comes from practicing catch and release or CPR with the catfish over ten pounds so everything less than ten pounds (when people want to keep fish) usually goes in the box. The trend in recent years has been for anglers to buy bigger, beefier fishing rods for fishing for trophy class fish. These are the fishing rods commonly marketed towards catfish anglers and there are too many options available to list. These fishing rods are commonly made of e-glass (fiberglass) because of the strength and durability. These heavier fishing rods are great for landing and catching big catfish and will work for catching the box fish as well but they certainly lack in sensitivity and they are very heavy to hold. If you are going to target big catfish exclusively then these are a great fishing rod but if you plan on catching numbers of fish also then you might be disappointed. These style rods have always been too heavy for my preferences. Most people I know don t only fish for big fish so they want something that is capable of doing it all. By doing it all I mean they want something is capable of catching the smaller fish and finesse fishing but they also want something that is capable of landing the trophy class fish as well. It s not that these heavier beefier fishing rods are not capable landing small fish because they certainly are but take all of the fun out of it in my opinion. I also find that when fishing for smaller box fish I catch significantly less fish when using these rods. 18

19 RODS FOR TROPHY CATFISH If you want a fishing rod for catching big catfish exclusively then the Team Catfish Thunder Cat Catfish Rod is an excellent choice. I have been using these fishing rods for a couple of years and have been very pleased with them. They are well built and have all the features I look for in a catfish rod for big fish and have held up well. Jeff Williams, the owner of Team Catfish is a hardcore catfish angler and was a catfish guide for years and he gets it. By that I mean he knows what a catfish angler needs in a fishing rod, he s not some suit and tie executive at an office in a big brand tackle company guessing what catfish anglers need. The Thunder Cat rod is an e-glass fishing rod so it s heavy and durable. It has a good long handle, durable build, good quality eyes and everything else you could possibly need. These rods retail for $75-$80 which is definitely on the higher end of what I pay for a fishing rod. You can read my full review and get all the detailed information on the Team Catfish Thunder Cat catfish rod on the Learn To Catch Catfish website. As of this writing the Team Catfish Thunder Cat is a little hard to find due to some manufacturing issues with Team Catfish but they tell me these issues will be resolved and the rod will be available again. The current alternative available for these rods from Team Catfish is called a Catfish Warrior rod. I ve handled one of these rods and it appears to be very similar to the Thunder Cat rods with the major difference being the rod handle. The handle on these rods rather than being EVA foam is wrapped in paracord. I ve got one of these on the way that I plan on fishing with soon and will post updated information on the website. The Catfish Warrior Rod retails for around $65. Another alternative, and certainly the most economical is available locally through most sporting goods stores, the 7 foot Ugly Stik CAL MH. This is the same rod as the preferred channel catfish rod previously mentioned (same model) but in a MH power (instead of a ML for channel catfish) and in a 7 foot length instead of 7 6 in length. 19

20 Again, this is a no frills fishing rod but certainly a durable rod that is worthy of catching fish. I used these 7 foot Ugly Stik CAL MH rods for years for catching trophy blue catfish and know a number of fishing guides that still depend on this rod today. These rods are available for $25-$30, are available at most retailers, have an excellent warranty and are just an all around good durable fishing rod for catching blue catfish. Again, there are many other options available but when it comes to rods for big blue catfish these rods are my top picks for anglers getting started and are all tried and true fishing rods. DO ALL BLUE CATFISH RODS Years ago a good friend of mine and fellow catfish guide turned me on to a new style fishing rod I had never seen before. He was using them for catfishing and convinced me they were a good choice so I bought a few of them and gave them a try. These rods were a fishing rod specifically made for salmon and steelhead fishing but have been adapted by many catfish anglers across the country. They are longer fishing rods yet they are very light weight. They are extremely sensitive so they are great for finesse fishing and don t take all the fight out of the smaller fish, yet they have a strong enough backbone to land the big trophy class fish as well. You can t horse a trophy class fish off the bottom with one of these rods like you can a heavy duty e-glass fishing rod but with constant steady pressure you can land any fish, assuming your drag is set properly. These salmon/steelhead fishing rods are typically made of graphite or e-glass and have all of the features I look for in a catfish rod like longer handles, the sensitivity to finesse fish and a backbone strong enough to land the larger fish. Not only are the salmon steelhead rods a good all around option for blue catfish but they are also perfectly suited for fishing for channel catfish as well. The salmon steelhead rods I prefer are: Berkley Air IM8 Salmon Steelhead Casting Rod 8 6 MH Action - Model: Ugly Stik Light Salmon Steelhead Casting Rod 8 6 MH Action Model:CAS11862MH 20

21 The Berkley IM8 is a graphite rod and is certainly lighter and more sensitive than the Ugly Stik but graphite is not nearly as sensitive and is also much less forgiving. I ve broken very few of them over the years and most of them that have been broker were largely due to operator error but with the lighter weight and added sensitivity of graphite you sacrifice some durability. This rod is also more expensive and typically costs between $60 and $80 at most retailers, but you can find some deals from time to time. The Ugly Stik Light salmon steelhead rod is a great balance of sensitivity and durability. You get the advantages of the salmon steelhead rods but don t have to sacrifice the durability because they are made of e-glass. The Ugly Stik Light salmon steelhead rods typically cost around $50 to $60. Both rods are 8 6 in length so you get the added long rod advantage. These salmon and steelhead style rods are without a doubt my favorite catfish rods and have been for years. SO WHAT ROD SHOULD YOU BUY? If you re only targeting trophy class catfish then get a heavier fishing rod like one of these models: Ugly Stik CAL MH Team Catfish Thunder Cat Rod Team Catfish Catfish Warrior Rod If you plan on targeting smaller blue catfish and catching some trophy class fish as well then go with one of the salmon/steelhead style rods like: Berkley Air IM8 Salmon Steelhead Casting Rod 8 6 MH Action - Model: Ugly Stik Light Salmon Steelhead Casting Rod 8 6 MH Action Model:CAS11862MH After over ten years of operating North Texas Catfish Guide Service the salmon steelhead style fishing rods are still my go to fishing rods for catfish. 21

22 These rods are what I consider to be the best fishing rods available for catfish, capable of finesse fishing for channels and blues yet strong enough to manage trophy blues and flatheads when they are called on. These are my go to catfish rods I rely on each and every day on the water. 22

23 FLATHEAD CATFISH RODS GEAR UP FOR FLATHEAD CATFISH Flathead catfish are a different breed and I have never had an issue with catching numbers of small flathead catfish. When targeting flathead catfish you re generally fishing for trophy class fish and need ti be prepared for a serious fight, very similar to targeting trophy class blue catfish exclusively. The right rod choice for targeting flathead catfish is going to be the same as targeting trophy blues, since finesse fishing is not an issue. A heavy duty e-glass fishing rod capable of man handling big catfish is going to be the best choice so something like the Team Catfish Thunder Cat rod, the Catfish Warrior rod or the Ugly Stik CAL MH is going to be a good choice. Another alternative available locally through most sporting goods stores is the Ugly Stik Catfish Rod. These e-glass rods come in 7 and 8 foot lengths and are a quality fishing rod at a fair price There are a variety of other manufacturers selling similar type fishing rods that are suitable for flathead catfish but my preference when it comes to fishing rods is to always buy local when possible because shipping is so expensive. I also like the advantage of having a retailers will. local retailer that will honor a warranty like most big box 23

24 RODS FOR SHORE FISHING FISHING WITHOUT A BOAT One of the challenges of shore fishing for catfish is getting baits into the areas that the fish are holding. At times this can mean making extremely long casts to get the baits in the right area. The most successful shore anglers are those that learn to get the baits in front of the fish, whether it be through specialized catfish rigs or through the use of specialized equipment. In the Long Rod Advantage chapter you learned how long rods impact fishing and that a longer fishing rod is going to provide greater casting distance. The longer the fishing rod, the further and more accurately you will be able to cast. Many anglers adopt surf fishing rods built for saltwater for fishing for catfish from the shore. The problem with these saltwater rods is they are typically very heavy and lack sensitivity. The solution to this is European style fishing rods often called Euro Rods which are extra long fishing rods that are much lighter and more sensitive than the gear traditionally used by American anglers for shore fishing. Euro style fishing rods are very popular with carp anglers who fish from the shore, which have many of the same requirements as catfish anglers. They need to make long casts, they need sensitivity and they need the ability to land large fish but also to finesse fish. These rods are not as readily available in the United States as many other fishing rods but they can be found. On one of my rare shore fishing expeditions in the past few years I fished with some anglers who use these euro style fishing rods for carp and catfish and they were a perfect match for shore fishing. If I was fishing exclusively from the shore I would be using these euro style rods and I would strongly encourage you to look at these if you are fishing from the shore. 24

25 CIRCLE HOOK RODS CATFISHING WITH CIRCLE HOOKS Circle hooks are without a doubt one of the most popular hooks for fishing for catfish. Circle hooks are incredible effective for catching blue catfish and flathead catfish. The popularity of these hooks has a lot to do with how effective they are for catching catfish. Catfish tackle manufacturers continue to innovate when it comes to circle hooks and the popularity of these hooks will only continue to grow in the future. If you have spent any time fishing with circle hooks or talking to other anglers around them you have probably heard people talking about fishing rods have an effect on how well circle hooks work. Years ago, before circle hooks really became popular I spent a lot of time fishing with these hooks along with my regular hooks I had typically used for catfish. The rods I was using had a very stiff tip, with very little flex to it and I would miss almost every single fish that bit on these rods. After some trial and error, I was able to determine that when I fished the circle hooks with the Ugly Stik CAL1100ML rods I would miss very few fish. It was the heavy rod tip with no flex that was causing the missed fish with the circle hooks. For a circle hook to work well the fishing rod tip needs to home some flex to it. The fish biting and the rod tip bending is typically referred to as loading the rod. All of the rods I have covered will work with circle hooks. One of the questions I am constantly asked is how much flex does the rod tip need to have to fish with circle hooks and this is a difficult question to answer. How much flex you need to have in the rod tip depends a lot on what size fish you catch. The larger fish you are catching, the easier it will be for them to load the rod. As you are shopping for fishing rods be aware of the rod tip and remember that a tip that is too firm and does not have some flex to it could impact how your hooks work. 25

26 CATFISH REELS THE REEL DEAL What s The Best Type Fishing Reel For Catfish There are three main types of fishing reels: Spincast Reels Spinning Reels Baitcast Reels Let s take a closer look at some of these reels and how they impact your fishing. SPINCAST REELS A spincast reel is what many anglers will refer to as a closed face fishing reel with the most popular example being a Zebco 33. Spincast reels are appealing to many anglers because they require very little skill (if any) to use and can be used by anglers of all ages with virtually no problems while fishing. The downside of spincast reels are that they don t have a large line capacity and they are generally not built with sophisticated drag systems like baitcast fishing reels. Larger line capacity is needed especially when using a heavier strength test fishing line (like 20 lb test popular with catfish anglers) and using techniques for catfishing like drift fishing or anchoring in deeper water. The drag system is the critical link to landing fish, especially larger fish as a proper functioning drag system is what keeps the fishing line from breaking and allows you to land fish that weigh much more than the fishing line you are using. In addition, the overall function of spincast reels limits the catfishing techniques that can be used and will make it very difficult to fish using many techniques. 26

27 SPINNING REELS Spinning reels will work for catfishing but I generally do not suggest that anglers invest in them. If that s what you already have then you can certainly use them but my advice to anglers is always to invest in baitcast fishing reels. Spinning reels have some limitations with the biggest limitation being line capacity. While there are some spinning reels that have larger line capacities the problem is that when you get into larger line capacities the reel is rather large and cumbersome. Another challenge is that the reel is on the bottom of the fishing rod and many catfishing techniques used involve having the rods and reels in rod holders, especially when fishing for blue and flathead catfish. Not only are rod holders not designed to handle spinning reels but when you do find a rod holder capable of handling a spinning reel your reel is faced down and away from the use which makes actively managing the reel in the rod holders a bit of a challenge, at least in my experiences. Finding a spinning reel with a bait clicker or line alarm can also be a challenge as this is certainly a feature that is not widespread among spinning reels. They are available but options are limited. Rods for spinning reels that are a good fit for catfshing are also limited. I m not saying you cannot find them, but your choices are going to be very limited. The overwhelming majority of catfish anglers use baitcast fishing reels so the majority of rods are built for these types of rods and I m seeing less and less manufacturers in the catfish market who are catering to those who use spinning reels. 27

28 BAITCAST REELS The baitcast fishing reel is a staple in the catfish world. Take a look around at any group of guides, tournament anglers or hardcore catfish anglers and you will quickly see that the overwhelming majority of them are using a baitcast fishing reel and most of them will be using the same brand and model reel. The baitcast fishing reel is certainly the most difficult to learn to use of the three different styles of reels but with a little practice and setting the reel up properly anyone can learn to use them. The baitcast fishing reel market has an abundance of reels available that will hold large line capacities, there are numerous options with line alarms or bait clickers and they generally have very good drag systems which aid in landing big catfish. They can be a little intimidating if you have never used one before but again with the reel setup properly and a little practice you can be throwing like a pro in no time. The vast majority of people who have problems with baitcast fishing reels have those problems because they don t understand how the reel works, and they don t understand how to set the reel up properly. I ll walk you through both a little later. 28

29 REEL TALK FISHING REEL TERMINOLOGY There are three areas you should be concerned with when it comes to purchasing a fishing reel: Gear Ratio Line Capacity Ball Bearings Let s take a close look at each of these so you can better understand why you need to pay attention to this terminology. GEAR RATIO Fishing reels are available in a wide variety of gear ratios and the proper gear ratio depends on what you will be using the reel for. Gear ratio is a number factor applied to the gearing of the reel explaining for each time you turn the handle how many times the gears and spool of line will turn in the process. Specific to fishing for catfish you ll want a mid range gear ratio from 5.3:1 to 6.3:1 This gearing provides a good balance in performance and line retrieve ratio and the ability to land fish. It s common when fishing for catfish to have long lengths of line out in the water and a reel with a 5.3:1 to 6.3:1 gear ratio will generally bring in about 27 to 31 of fishing line every time you turn the handle on the fishing reel. For comparison purposes a lower gear ratio like 4.7:1 to 5.1:1 will generally bring in about 22 to 26 of fishing line with each turn of the reel handle. Without filling ten pages of information discussing gearing just trust me in saying you want a good mid range gear ratio when it comes to catfish. 29

30 If you were fishing with lures and different presentations like a bass angler does, then different gear ratios make sense, but when fishing for catfish a good mid range gear ration is the best option. LINE CAPACITY Line capacity is how much fishing line of a certain pound test the reel will hold. This is generally listed by manufacturers in numbers like 14/245, 6/200 etc. This outlines how many yards of a certain pound test fishing line will hold so if a manufacturer listed 14/245 that means if you spool the fishing reel with 14 lb test fishing line the reel would hold 245 yards of that line. Most manufacturers will list a basic number on the outside of the packaging and then somewhere inside the box will show additional numbers for heavier or lighter weight fishing line. Line capacity is important when fishing for catfish but is more important when it comes to fishing for blue catfish and flatheads than it is channel catfish. The reason for this is when fishing for blues and flatheads you are generally using heavier fishing line (like 20 to 30 lb test) so it takes more capacity. The larger the test strength of the fishing line the more room it takes up on the reel (when using monofilament line). In addition, many of the techniques you will want to use when targeting blues in flatheads may involve fishing deep water holes, making long casts over expansive mudflats or even drift fishing. When using techniques like this you will commonly run into situations where you could easily have 100 feet or more of fishing line out at any given time. When you break off 100 feet of line due to a snag or hang up and have a minimal line capacity (like with a low profile or smaller baitcast reel) then you will constantly have to spool new fishing line on the reel while on the water. BEARINGS Almost all fishing reels have either ball bearings or bushings strategically placed within the reel for smoothness, support and stability. Many spinning reels also feature a roller bearing within the line roller. When it comes to smooth performance and durability, sealed stainless steel ball bearings are preferable over bushings. Generally speaking, the more ball bearings a reel has, the more smoothly it will perform. 30

31 Quality fishing reels will typically feature at least two stainless steel ball bearings. Top-of-the-line models usually boast about four to six ball bearings, however, some of the newer reels on the market feature up to 12. Bushing reels are generally less expensive but they also don t cast nearly as well as a fishing reel with bearings. I ve tried many over the years and there is usually a noticeable difference. DRAG When buying a baitcast reel, anglers can choose from either a star drag or lever drag system. The drag system allows the line to slip which prevents the line from breaking while fighting a fish. Having a smooth functioning drag that is set properly is what makes it possible to reel in a fish that weighs 100 lbs on 20 lb test fishing line without the line breaking. With a star drag, pressure is increased or decreased by turning the star-shaped wheel, located just inside of the handle. Star drag systems are simple to operate and are fine for most applications. Lever drag systems typically supply smoother, more consistent fish-fighting performance for larger fish. Most lever drags also allow for drag tension to be adjusted in smaller, more precise increments than star drag systems and are common in saltwater fishing. Most catfish anglers I know use star drag systems because lever drag reels are generally very expensive. ANTI REVERSE Anti reverse helps to eliminate play in the reel handle for more solid hook sets. When you go to set the hook on a fish and the reel kicks back it is a common cause of lost fish, instant anti reverse keeps this kick back from happening. The instant anti reverse keeps the spool from going backwards on the reel. LEVEL WIND Level wind is a function that most baitcast reels have and reels are often referred to as level wind reels. 31

32 Level wind is a function that keeps the fishing line spooling back on the fishing reel when you are reeling in. Through the use of a line guide and a gear the level wind slowly moves back and forth while turning the handle on the fishing reel and keeps the fishing line in a nice uniform fashion as it feeds on to the spool. There are reels out there (though not common these days for freshwater) that don t have this feature. If a fishing reel lacks the level wind function you have to manually guide the line back on the reel while reeling. BAIT CLICKERS A line alarm or bait clicker was once an essential function for catfish reel but it seems that in the past few years anglers are relying on line alarms less and less. For years I would not have considered fishing without a bait clicker or line alarm on my reels but I ve found in the past few years I rarely use them any longer because I rely so heavily on circle hooks. The bait clicker function is still a staple for me when I fish for flathead catfish but when fishing for blue catfish and channel catfish, I rarely use them any longer. A line alarm or bait clicker function is typically either a small switch or a lever that you can turn off or on somewhere on the fishing reel (typically on the left side). With the bait clicker turned on, the reel is left in free spool (the button pushed in) and when the line is pulled the reel makes a clicking noise. The clicking noise is used as an alert that something is running with the bait. If you have yet to make the transition to fishing with circle hooks or will be targeting flathead catfish then a bait clicker function is something that can be very beneficial. When fishing with circle hooks however you really don t need a bait clicker. It is possible to use the clicker function and still fish with circle hooks using the right style circle hook and a modified hook set but I have rarely found it necessary. 32

33 CHANNEL CATFISH REELS THE BEST CHOICE FOR CHANNEL CAT You can get by with a spincast reel but again will be limited in casting ability and technique and there is always a chance that you will hook into a bigger fish so it s better to be safe than sorry. Spinning reels can work well for channel catfish using certain techniques but there are techniques where having a spinning reel will make it difficult for you. A baitcast fishing reel is your best option. When fishing for channel catfish you can use a low profile baitcast reel like are popular with bass fishermen. This is certainly the least expensive option and for $25 or less you can get a decent quality fishing reel at any sporting goods store. Chances are you may already have one of these laying around. The reel I suggest however is a round baitcast fishing reel, the Abu Garcia 5500C3. The Abu Garcia round baitcast fishing reels have been around for over 60 years and the reels have gone relatively unchanged during this time. There have been minor changes in cosmetics, parts changed that are built out of new and improved materials and some performance enhancements but you can take one of these reels that is 40 years old and hold it side by side to a brand new model and the overall look and feel is the same. This fishing reel is the most popular baitcast fishing reel in existence for a reason and is the preferred fishing reel among many groups of anglers beyond catfishing. You ll find striper fishermen, walleye and muskie anglers and even saltwater anglers using these reels. If you only intend to target channel catfish or are purchasing rod and reel combos specifically for channel catfishing then the Abu Garcia 5500C3 is an excellent choice. I have reels of this model I have been catching fish with for well over 15 years that I have done nothing more to than an annual cleaning. Parts are readily available so in the event something does go wrong you can purchase parts just about anywhere. 33

34 The only downside of the Abu Garcia 5500C3 reel is it does not have a bait clicker but if you are using them exclusively for channel catfish then it really doesn t matter. You can find reels in the 5000 series from Abu Garcia that have a bait clicker function but will pay a slightly higher price for them. The Abu Garcia 5500C3 retails for about $85 and it has all of the features you need in a quality channel catfish reel. The only feature the 5500C3 does not have is a line alarm or bait clicker and I have never used this feature when fishing for channel catfish. The alternative to the Abu Garcia 5500C3 reels is to go with decent quality low profile baitcasting reel. You can go to any sporting goods store and find numerous options and since I don t use them or have any firsthand experience with them I will refrain from making suggestions on models. 34

35 BLUE/FLATHEAD REELS CHOICES FOR BLUES AND FLATHEADS When fishing for blue catfish and flathead catfish you will be using heavier line than when fishing for channel catfish. Line lb test in the twenty to thirty pound range is common and what most anglers seem to be using these days (myself included). When you step up to this heavier fishing line it fills the spool of the fishing reel up quickly. As previously explained, the need for large line capacity is essential when fishing for blue and flathead catfish because of the many techniques you will be using including fishing in deeper water, making long casts to cover a lot of water and even drift fishing. Using these techniques it s common to get hung up and have to break the fishing line and without enough line capacity when you break off your line you will either have equipment that is not usable or you will have to put new line on the reel while fishing. Replacing your fishing line on the water is certainly possible but not ideal as it takes away from your fishing time and having baits in the water. The less time you have bait in the water the more your chances of catching fish decrease. In addition to line capacity other features that are critical to a fishing reel for blue catfish are a good drag system, cranking power (proper gear ratio) and a line alarm if you will not be using circle hooks or will be fishing for flathead catfish. Having a good smooth drag system that is set properly will help keep you from losing fish (from the line breaking). Having the correct gear ratio give you the ability to land trophy class fish and quick and easily retrieve long lengths of fishing line as well. The line alarm allows fish to run with the line and alerts you of activity. My go to fishing reel is yet again an Abu Garcia reel, the Abu Garcia 6000 series fishing reel. The Abu Garcia 6500 series reels are often referred to as the ultimate all around fishing reels and is the most popular baitcast fishing reel ever sold. 35

36 These reels look very similar to the Abu Garcia 5500C3 already mentioned and are similar in features but are slightly larger in size allowing for more line capacity. Most of the 6500 series fishing reels also have a line alarm or bait clicker function. There are a variety of models in the Abu Garcia 6500 series that are all very similar but will have slightly different features including different colors, thumb bars instead of push buttons, more ball bearings or slightly different gear ratios. Over the years I have used just about all of these models of fishing reels. Some of my favorites are: Abu Garcia 6500C3 - This is the most popular reel in the 6500 series and is a 3 ball bearing reel. Abu Garcia 6000 The 6000 model is traditionally a bushing reel but the bushings can be replaced with bearings. If you can find these used for a good price you can replace the bearings relatively cheap but if you pay full retail for a 6000 reel and then replace the bearings it would costs virtually the same as just buying the 6500C3 in the first place. I have many 6000 s I have upgraded with bearings and have been very happy with them. Out of the box without upgrades the 6000 will not cast as well but is likely good enough for most people. There are so many other options out there in the Abu Garcia series that I could probably fill a dozen pages and pages up with information and not cover it all so the best advice I can offer is shop around and pay attention to features. Shopping in retail stores you will traditionally find the 6500C3 but if you hit the used market like ebay, Craigslist or pawn shops you will find a lot of reels that will have alternative part numbers. Most of these are older reels that are no longer being manufactured but will again be very similar in features to the same reels being sold today as these reels have been virtually unchanged over the years. The only reel I would suggest you stay away from is the BCX series reels. These are readily available in retail stores today and are notorious for having problems. I worked directly with Abu Garcia on some of the issues with these reels and never was satisfied with the product. There is information on the Learn To Catch Catfish website that explains the issues with the BCX series reels. 36

37 HONORABLE MENTIONS I strongly believe that you are better off buying a good used Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reel on ebay or through other sources than you are buying lesser quality reels. I do know some people however who use the reels below and have had decent success with them and they are all priced significantly lower than used Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reels. Shakespeare Agility - The Shakespeare Agility is a one ball bearing fishing reel with anodized aluminum side plates and covers, self lubricating brass gears, bait clicker, adjustable 4 pin centrifugal casting control and a star drag. - Retail $40 Daiwa Millonaire S350 The Daiwa Millionaire S is a two stainless steel ball bearing reel plus one roller bearing in the infinite anti reverse system. It has a once piece aluminum frame, aluminum alloy spool, bait clicker and star drag. Retail $65 Penn Levelwind 309 Composite side plates, machined stainless steel pinion and brass main gear, counter balanced handle with oversized paddle knob, stainless steel levelwind and bait clicker. Retail $70 37

38 QUALITY FISHING REELS YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR All of the catfish reels I have suggested are Abu Garcia reels and I have taken some flack over the years from some people on allegiance to the Abu Garcia reels. These reels without a doubt are the most popular catfish reels out there. I ve tried other reels over the years and run into nothing but problems. The issues have been either having problems with them when they are relatively new or them breaking and being unable to get parts to repair them locally or get repaired locally. There are certainly other good reels on the market like Shimano, Quantum, Okuma and others I am sure I am forgetting but I have found the Abu Garcia reels in the 5000 and 6000 series to be the most reliable reels available for the price. In addition there is the advantage that these round baitcast reels from Abu Garcia are the most popular baitcast reels of all time, so parts are easy to find. Any repair facility will have parts in stock for these reels and basic parts like the worm drive gears and handles can even be found at just about any major sporting goods retailer. In addition, if you run into problems all of the parts are virtually interchangeable in the reel series, for example you can take the side plates off of a 6000 and put them on a 6500C3 if you need to. I use my reels much more than the average fisherman and have some reels that I have been using for over decade with nothing more being done to them than routine cleaning and minor repairs (typically the worm drive being replaced). When I first started guiding for catfish I bought several knockoff reels that look a lot like the Abu Garcia reels for about $65 each and within a few months they were all breaking. I took the reels back to Bass Pro Shop who informed me that I had to send them to their repair facility to be fixed. I spent $15 shipping to get them to their repair facility and $15 to get them shipped back and $40 on repairs. By the time I covered all the repairs I could have just bought the Abu Garcia reels to begin with and I would have saved myself a lot of time and hassle. 38

39 There are a LOT of cheap Chinese made knock off fishing reels on the market that look a lot like these popular Abu Garcia reels. Some are sold under the name of major sporting goods retailers and others under a variety of other names. In the past few years there has been a major push towards by a few people in the sport to push these reels into the market, and they are all still the same thing, cheap Chinese knockoffs. If you are only planning on fishing a couple of times a year then a cheaper fishing reel will probably work just fine for you. You will see a difference in performance but with very light use one of these reels will probably last you while. If you are going to fish more than a couple of times a year then you are just asking for trouble buying these cheap fishing reels and you ll end up either repairing them all the time or replacing them. Trust me that you are better off buying a quality reel from the beginning. If you choose to go with a lesser quality fishing reel my suggestion is that you stick with a reputable name brand like Shakespeare (they make a round baitcast reel similar in size and features to the 6500C3). The other suggestion I have when buying these lesser reels is to go to a big box store in your area like Wal Mart, Bass Pro, Cabelas, Dicks or some similar national chain. Buy them there and keep your receipt. These stores are much more liberal with their return and exchange policies and when something goes wrong you are much more likely to either get your money back or get the reel exchanged, assuming you hang on to your receipt. A fishing reel to me is a long term investment. I know if I take care of it I can use it forever so I want to do business with a company that I know will be around in 10 years and when something goes wrong I can still get parts. This is not likely with these fly by night Chinese companies who are trying to break into the tackle market. I suggest that you avoid all the Chinese cheap no-name knockoff brands at all costs. Fishing reels break after long term use, they all do, even the quality ones. If you have an entire fleet of fishing reels and hundreds of dollars invested in reels and you begin to have issues, you at least want some assurance that you will still be able to get parts in a few years. 39

40 GETTING GOOD DEALS HOW TO SAVE SOME GREEN This is an article I posted on Learn To Catch Catfish a couple of years ago and I felt it was worthy of adding to this book. If you are moving into higher end reels like Abu Garcia 6000 Series reels that I have suggested then you have a few more options available to you if you are willing to shop around and willing to accept a certain degree of risk with buying something used. Here is a good general guide for finding and getting the best deal on Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reels. I have been asked repeatedly and continue to get asked about the BCX series reels and my advice continues to be that you should stay away from these reels. While I have heard of a few people having success with them the general consensus is that most people have had nothing but problems. These reels are made in China, unlike the other Abu Garcia reels who are manufactured in Sweden. The easiest way to tell the difference when buying new is a Classic 6500C3 will come in a box and the BCX reels will come in a plastic clam shell package. The BCX also clearly has made in China stamped on the reel foot. BUYING NEW When buying new you are going to find that pricing is relatively consistent across the board with these reels. As I have mentioned many times before they have been on the market for years and last forever with a little bit of care and maintain a high degree of popularity, which means that they sell themselves. For that reason you are not going to find a lot of huge deals on these reels when purchasing new but on occasion some retailers will offer some sales or specials. 40

41 If you have some time to wait keep an eye on their websites at the products in the links below and you might be able to find a bargain. While on occasion you will find a few of the major retailers that have some other reels in the Ambassadeur 6000 series for the most part the most readily available will be the 6500C3 Classic. EBAY ebay is by far where I have found my best deals on used reels in the past. ebay can be an excellent source for purchasing catfish reels and you can occasionally find some really good deals, but there is also a lot of junk and overpriced reels on ebay as well. You just need to make sure you are conscious of what you are purchasing, what the retail price is for a new reel and make sure you establish clear parameters for yourself on what your top dollar is for any reel you are interested in. Also, you will get much better deals and save a lot of money if you purchase during the Fall and Winter. It goes back to supply and demand and is very much like buying and selling boats. There are a lot of fair weather fishermen out there that don t fish in the cooler months so demand goes down, therefore it is much easier to get more bang for your buck when there is less demand. I rarely buy used reels anymore but have bought a lot of used reels on ebay in the past and have gotten some awesome buys. There has been an occasional reel I have had to pick up a part or two for and repair but even in those instances I still came out ahead. Always make sure you pay with Paypal when buying on ebay as you get added protection just in case a deal goes bad. ebay Search Links Abu Garcia 6000 Series Reels Look for 6000, 6000C and 6000TGC 41

42 Abu Garcia 6500 Series Reels Look For 6500C3, 6500C4, 6500CS and 6500 Rocket Abu Garcia 6600 Series Reels Look for 6600, 6600CB, and 6600 CL Rocket This is some good basic information to get your started and looking for some of the variations in reels in itself will net you some great deals (like the 6600CB or 6600CL Rocket which are awesome reels but not as well known as the 6500C3). I have and continue to use all of the reels listed above and have been very satisfied with all of them. Follow these steps for assuring you get the best deals on your catfish reels and it will save you a TON of money. If you want to stick with new reels just shop Bass Pro Shops and Cabela s. You will find consistent pricing across the board on these products at all retailers because they sell themselves. You may find an occasional sale from time to time but for the most part they are pretty rare. EBAY BUYING TIPS Check the links that I have added below to the ebay listings every couple of weeks or so and run through the searches I have listed here. Please note below that I have added a top dollar price on used reels that as a general rule I would try to stay below when buying used reels on ebay. These prices are for reels in good working order with minimal boat rash etc. If there are problems or significant scratches etc you should drop the price accordingly. Abu Garcia 5000 Series Reels Look for 5500 series reels like 5500C3 and 5500C4 Top Dollar Price $25-$30 Abu Garcia 6000 Series Reels Look for 6000, 6000C and 6000TGC Reels Top Dollar Price $35.00 Abu Garcia 6500 Series Reels Look For 6500C3, 6500C4, 6500Cs and 6500 Rocket Top Dollar Price $45-$50 Abu Garcia 6600 Series Reels Look for 6600, 6600CB, and 6600 CL Rocket Top Dollar Price $45-$50 42

43 2. Only work with auctions. Do not buy reels with the buy it now option unless you find one with the buy it now price less than the prices listed above. You will almost always get better deals on auctions than you will buy it now purchases. 3. Never ever bid on a reel that you find that you want until the auction is closing. When you bid on something early in the auction you usually do nothing but start a bidding war and drive the price up higher competing with someone. Instead, use ebay sniper. You can try this service for free for your first three auctions and after that it only costs ten cents per auction. When you sign up for ebay sniper the process is pretty self explanatory so I won t go into all the details on that part of it. Once you sign up for ebay sniper determine your top dollar you are willing to pay and set up your snipe in the ebay sniper site. What the site does is goes in and places your bid automatically during the last few seconds of the auction, often saving you a significant amount of money. This is a controversial tool and some loyal ebayer s say that it shouldn t be used but it is not against ebay s policy based on my research, so use this at your own risk. If you get in trouble with ebay for some reason you are on your own. I have been using this for years and have never had an issue. 4. If you see the same seller that has a listing with tons of reels available in one listing or multiple listings for different reels, send them an through ebay and ask them if they have other reels available whether they are willing to bundle those reels. For example, if you buy 4 reels will they sell all four with shipping included for $30 per reel instead of $35 and give you free shipping? Often times them avoiding the payment of ebay fees etc will cover the free shipping and reduced cost and will save them significant time and money. 43

44 Just remember that many times people selling on ebay have lots of items available that are not listed yet and a little wheeling and dealing will go a long way. DO NOT CONTACT PEOPLE AND ASK THEM TO END AUCTIONS OR CUT PRICES ON ITEMS THEY HAVE LISTED ALREADY. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF EBAY S TOS AND COULD CAUSE YOU TO LOSE YOUR ACCOUNT. 5. Always pay with PayPal when buying on ebay. PayPal has great buyer protection features that keep you from getting scammed or robbed when buying online. With a little time and patience you can get some awesome deals on catfish reels through ebay, especially in the Fall and Winter. If you have success using these tips and tricks for getting the best deals on fishing reels, post your success stories in the comments below! CRAIGSLIST Search local craigslist listings for your area for search terms like Abu or Abu Garcia and you can occasionally find some good deals. Craigslist can at times be a hotbed for stolen merchandise however, so use some caution and common sense when shopping here. Look for warning signs that someone is peddling stolen goods like ridiculously low prices, urgency in getting rid of it, limited knowledge of what they are selling etc. If you do buy on Craigslist, always meet in a public place that has a lot of traffic like a gas station or fast food restaurant. GARAGE SALES 44

45 I personally don t have the time or patience to shop garage sales but know many people who do and told them years ago to check fishing reels when they came across them and if they said Abu Garcia on them to call me. I used to pick up a LOT of reels that way and have even picked up some reel gems. I had one once that I paid $10 for that I sold on ebay for $500 because it was highly collectible. Keep your eyes open. You would be surprised how many nice reels get sold for next to nothing because of the seller s lack of knowledge. This is much like the old lady who runs the ad for a Chevy for a $1000 in the local paper and the guy who goes into the old barn and finds a cherry Corvette with a few thousand miles on it that has been sitting for forty years. PAWN SHOPS The down side of buying from pawn shops is pawn brokers understand the value of everything they sell but again I have picked up some great reels over the years at a fraction of the cost that they sold for new. Again, especially during the cooler months when the demands slows you will get better pricing. The key is to understand when to target these type stores and also ASK FOR A BETTER PRICE. Haggle a bit with the pawn shop and work them down and you can get some good deals here and there if you have the time to invest. REPAIR FACILITIES Reel repair businesses are like anyone else and often get reels that are dropped off for repair and then the owner never comes back to get them. These are typically sold at a deep discount to cover their costs of repair and parts (or cleaning). Find these places in your area and reach out to these people, you might be surprised at what you might find. 45

46 Again, understand supply and demand and shop when times are slow for these type businesses, not during peak seasons (like Spring and Summer). 46

47 CATFISH FISHING LINE WHAT FISHING LINE TO USE AND WHY Whether you are getting new rods and reels or are using gear you already have, fishing line is the critical link when it comes to landing fish. The goal when choosing fishing line is to find something heavy enough that is capable of landing the fish you will be catching but still maintaining an appropriate balance of performance. I find that as a general rule, anglers have tendency to go way overboard and make a lot of poor decisions when it comes to line. This is often because they don t understand how their fishing reel drag system works and they don t understand catfish. I fish in lakes, reservoirs and small rivers with very little current. I am not a big river fisherman. I prefer monofilament fishing line and do not like braided fishing line at all. I personally feel that braided fishing line is one of the most overused items in fishing there is. People think that for some reason they could catch an 80 lb catfish, they need to use 80 lb fishing line, and this could not be further from the truth. Splash the 121 Lb Texas State Record blue catfish, and former world record blue catfish, was caught on 20 lb test monofilament fishing line. The current world record catfish caught in Virginia in 2011 weighed 143 lbs and was caught on 30 lb test monofilament fishing line. Catching these fish on fishing line that has a break strength of a fraction of the weight of these fish was all possible due to a smooth drag system on the fishing reel and having it set properly. Now, I will be the first to admit that there is a time and place for braided fishing line. If you are fishing in deep heavy cover with lots of nasty stuff that could break your line, then braid is a good line to use. I still don t use it though and I rarely have problems losing fish. There was a point in my fishing before I became a guide that I thought braided line was great but I learned some valuable lessons along the way. 47

48 If you are fishing in big rivers with heavy current, braid is a very popular choice for fishing line because you get a higher tensile line with a smaller diameter, which helps the line cut through current. There are numerous Catfishing Radio podcasts where I discuss braided fishing line with big river anglers so if you are fishing big rivers with heavy current go back and listen to those podcasts in the archives. My take on braided line is most anglers don t need it and it should always be used as a last resort. Braided fishing line is very expensive, and you can easily pay 2-3 times more for braided line over monofilament. Braided line has no stretch, so it is very hard on fishing reels and if you are not careful you can damage your reels when trying to break the fishing line or free from a snag. Continued heavy long term use of braided line will also damage fishing rods. I threw away a dozen fishing rods because the braided line had worn a groove into the rod eyes which caused the line to snap every time I set the hook on a fish. That groove in the eyes was like a razor when it came in contact with the fishing line. Last but not least, braid does not cast or perform as well as monofilament. Specific to fishing in lakes, reservoirs, creeks, small rivers and ponds, I will focus on monofilament fishing line. If you are targeting catfish in big rivers with heavy current I know anglers who use braid and monofilament both and my advice to you is to experiment and decide what works best for you. FISHING LINE FOR CHANNEL CATFISH For channel catfish I use 12 lb test fishing line. I like this because it is heavy enough that it can handle the biggest channel catfish we generally catch plus gives me some extra cushion. This 12 lb test line is heavy enough it doesn t snap easily and still small enough in diameter that I can still fill my 5500C3 fishing reel with a good amount of fishing line. Near 100% of the fishing I do for channel catfish is done with a rig I call the Secret Catfish Rig. I use this rig because it is more sensitive than any other rig and it allows me to do what I call finesse fishing for channel catfish. When finesse fishing I rely on being able to get baits in very particular areas to produce fish and the 12 lb test fishing line provides a good balance between strength and casting ability. I prefer high visibility fishing line like bright yellow or bright green. 48

49 Catfish are not line shy like many other fish so line color is of little concern and the high visibility fishing line allows me to see where my baits are and where my line is at any given time. Currently I am using the Team Catfish monofilament fishing line but I have relied heavily on Berkley Trilene Big Game and Ande Monofilament over the years as well. More important than a particular brand, is just sticking with a good brand fishing line that will hold up well. Fishing line is not an area you want to try to save money on and pinch pennies if possible. You can certainly use heavier fishing line than 12 lb test for channel catfish but I have never found a need to. This heavier line also does not fit into the techniques I use finesse fishing for channel catfish with the Secret Catfish Rig. LINE FOR BLUES AND FLATHEADS My fishing for blue catfish ranges from targeting fish from 1 to 10 lbs to targeting trophy class fish. When fishing for flathead catfish I am typically catching trophy class fish as well. When you target and hook big catfish, fishing line is critical. Don t get me wrong, it is important when fishing for smaller fish but when it comes to big trophy class fish, fishing line is critical. I use 20 lb test monofilament and most of the hardcore catters I know use 20 or 30 lb test monofilament. I prefer 20 lb test because it casts better than 30 lb test (due to the smaller line diameter) but I also find that 30 lb test fishing line is just too difficult to break when I get hung up. For some reason the jump from 20 lb to 30 lb makes a huge difference and the 30 lb test line causes more problems than the additional 10 lbs of break strength is worth. This is especially true when drift fishing. I find that when drift fishing for catfish the 30 lb test line creates significantly more problems than 20 lb test line does. I have caught, or watched my clients catch countless numbers of trophy blue catfish over the years and have never once had the fishing line snap while reeling a big catfish in. The line breaking with 20 lb test is not a problem but this is again assuming you have the drag set properly on the fishing reel. The next important factor is line color and I again prefer high visibility fishing line. My preference is bright yellow and bright green is my second choice. When fishing for blue and flathead catfish it is common practice to fish with multiple rods at one time. I will at times have as many as 9 fishing rods in the water at one time depending on what techniques I am using and how many clients I have in the boat with me. 49

50 When you have multiple rods in the water it is important to understand where the lines are at all times, and understand where they are in relation to each other, it doesn t matter if you are drift fishing or anchored. In an ideal world, all catfish would take the bait and swim directly away from the fishing rod in a straight line but that happens a small portion of the time. Successful anglers understand this and use high visibility fishing line to their advantage. It s common for fish to take the bait and run in any direction including sideways and towards the fishing rod so being able to clearly see the fishing line and what is taking place is critical. If the line all of the sudden goes slack, it s a good indication that something has hit, or something has hit and is moving towards the fishing rod. If a line moves left or right, something has hit and is swimming sideways with the bait. Often times the only way to tell this is by seeing the line in relation to other lines in the water. In addition, keeping a tight line can be critical, especially if fishing with circle hooks or relying on a bait clicker to alert you. With high visibility fishing line you can easily see your lines and constantly monitor them, not only for a tight line but also for an alert that will help you land your next fish. Currently I am using the Team Catfish monofilament fishing line but I have also relied on Bass Pro Shops Offshore Angler Tight Line, Ande Monofilament and Trilene Big Game Over the years and had good success with all of them. 50

51 SET UP FOR SUCCESS GETTING STARTED WITH NEW GEAR Once you have the right rod, reel and line it is important to understand how to works and have it set up correctly for use. Proper setup will not only make casting easier but will make your reel last longer and more importantly SPOOLING A REEL SETTING THE SPOOL TENSIONER 51

52 The spool tensioner controls the amount of pressure that is applied to the spool (the round inner part of the reel where the line is attached). The tighter the tensioner is, the more pressure is applied so the spool turns slower, the looser the tensioner is the the less pressure there is applied, so the spool turns faster. Proper spool tension is critical, especially if you are just starting out using a baitcast fishing reel because one of the critical concepts of fishing with them is learning how to cast and how to do so with minimal backlashes. Backlashes occur when the spool is spinning faster than the line is able to come off the reel which basically means that it ends up turning faster than the fishing line. The result is a big rat s nest in your fishing line. This can be especially frustrating to beginners, but learning how to set your spool tensioner properly will greatly reduce the number of backlashes that you will have to remove from your line. THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE TENSIONER Get your fishing rod and reel setup and tie your catfish rig of preference to the end of the line. Once you have tied your rig on, stand holding your rod at a 45 degree angle (with the tip up) and push the button on the fishing reel releasing the line, so the sinker, hook and weight on your rig falls to the ground. This should fall to the ground and the spool should stop turning when the rig hits the ground. If the spool does not stop turning when the rig hits the ground, retrieve the line (reel it in) and tighten the tensioner slightly and repeat the process again. 52

53 The entire process should be repeated over and over until you get the settings correct when it stops turning when the weight hits the ground. This may take you several tries to get it right but is a simple and straightforward process. You should do this before you start trying to learn how to cast with a baitcast fishing reel (if you are a beginner trying to learn). One other consideration is that if you are going to be fishing with large baits (like big pieces of cut bait) this adds significant weight to the end of the line so you may need to make additional adjustments (add more tension) to compensate for the additional weight that larger baits will add while fishing. ONCE YOU GET SOME EXPERIENCE Once you get the hang of using a baitcaster and become more and more comfortable casting with (hopefully) less and less backlashes you will ultimately get to a point where you are not concerned with the spool tension and you don t check these settings and just start casting, occasionally making minor adjustments as needed. I keep my spool tensioners set so loose that that they are about to fall off because it is comfortable for me and allows me to achieve greater casting distances, but I find that most people are unable to cast my reels without backlashing. It is so bad that I keep extra parts around in my boat because they fall off and get lost so often. As your experience level increases you will become less and less concerned with getting these settings just right and will be able to quickly make adjustments on the fly as needed. If you are new, or inexperienced with using a baitcast reel, follow these steps for making adjustments and setting the spool tensioner until you get comfortable with it and get the hang of things. SETTING DRAG The drag is one of the most important parts of any fishing reel and becomes even more important when catfishing because of the opportunity to catch BIG catfish. The drag being set and used properly can make or break you when attempting to land a trophy catfish. 53

54 The drag (often referred to as a star drag) is controlled by the star shaped knob that is on the reel just inside the handle. When the star is turned clockwise it tightens and when it is turned counter clockwise it loosens. Being adjusted tighter is often referred to as more and being looser is often referred to as less. If someone said you need to tighten the drag or you need more that would mean you needed to turn the star clockwise to apply more pressure on the washer. If someone said you need less drag or to loosen it that would mean you needed to turn the star counter clockwise lessening the pressure on the drag washers. WDDD - WHAT DOES DRAG DO? When it is tightened, it applies more pressure to the drag washers. When it is loosened, it applies less pressure to the washers. In a nutshell what this means is that the tighter the tension is is on the spool, the less give there is between you and a fish. The drag functions as a buffer between your reel and the catfish allowing give which prevents the fishing line from breaking. This is what compensates for the difference between the break strength of the fishing line and the actual amount of pull the is being applied to the fishing line. If you are using 20 lb test line and catch a 1 lb catfish, the setting is not so important. If you are using 20 lb test and catch a 100 lb fish then properly set (and used) drag system will make the difference between having it in the boat or it being the one that got away. I have mentioned several times that I use 20 lb test monofilament and if you have looked at my catfish guide service website you have seen numerous pictures of fish that are well in excess of 20 lbs, many are double and triple that (or more). Proper drag settings and proper technique is what makes this possible. 54

55 Here is a bit of (sideline) trivia for you. Did you know that almost every Texas state record flathead catfish ever caught was caught by a crappie fisherman? If you know anything about crappie fishing you know that crappie fishermen use ultra light gear and ultra light line. Proper technique and properly using the drag on the reel is what makes it possible for a crappie fisherman to land a trophy class flathead catfish in 2 or 4 lb test fishing line. PROPER PROCEDURE FOR SETTING DRAG I am going to give a brief readers digest version of the proper procedure for setting drag on a reel. Technically, the proper way to set the drag on a baitcast reel is to spool the reel with line, attach the reel to the rod, run the line through the line guides and then tie a small loop in the end of the fishing line (where the hook would normally go). One person holds the rod, and the loop tied in the fishing line is then attached to a digital scale and the rod is held at a forty five degree angle. The drag is adjusted and the person holding the rod and reel pulls back against the line (again attached to the scale). The drag should slip at approximately 25 to 35 percent of the unknotted line strength for the fishing line. For thirty pound test fishing line this would be 7.5 to 10 lbs. Basically the process is adjust the drag, pull against the scale, notify the person holding the scale when the drag slips the check reading on the scale and rinse and repeat until you get it right. Blah, blah, blah.. Let me know how this works out for you. I have never once, ever used this process nor do I ever have any intentions of doing so, and honestly I don t know of anyone else who does this either. 55

56 THE REAL WORLD WAY OF SETTING DRAG Spool your reel with fishing line and set your reels on your rods. Adjust the drag so it is semi loose (counter clockwise) and grab the fishing line about 3 to 6 inches above the reel and pull (away from the reel, towards the end of the rod). You should be able to pull the line and feel the drag slip fairly easily, if you think it is not easy enough, loosen it a little more and try it again. Now, the thing you need to remember about this is that if it is set too tight, and there is no give in the reel, when you hook a big catfish it is going to snap your line so fast you are not going to know what hit you. You will be left standing there, fishing rod in hand with broken line scratching your head. If the drag is too loose, when you set the hook and begin your retrieve with the reel you are not going to gain any ground at all on the fish, the handle will turn but the spool will not. You can always compensate for a drag being too loose by simply tightening it up a bit when you hook that monster catfish of a lifetime, about 1/4 turn at a time. You only have one shot at getting this correct though and if it is set too tight (too much drag) you will NOT get a second chance at it because the line will snap. When I hook a big catfish, I start my retrieve and am watching the drag and feeling the handle, getting a sense for what is taking place and whether I should increase or decrease the settings, if it is too loose, I increase one quarter turn at a time until I feel it is right, but even then you want the fish to be able to pull drag on the reel. When a client of mine hooks a big fish I am watching the reel, watching the line and watching the drag and making adjustments if needed (which is 100% of the time increasing the drag) because I always keep the drags set very loose. MAJOR DRAG MISTAKES I see anglers way too often trying to land big catfish, or any size fish for that matter and fishing with the drag set way too tight, and losing fish. 56

57 The other fatal error is they get overly confident and think there is too much slippage so they start cranking that star down tighter and tighter until it quits slipping. Often times this works out fine, until one critical point, which is when they get the big catfish to the side of the boat. It is very rare that you will get a big catfish to the side of the boat and it will just sit there and look at you waiting to be scooped up with your dip net. I have seen it happen a couple of times but this is typically when a fish is caught in deeper water and the fish is brought up too quickly, and even then the it almost always still has some fight in it. More often than not though, the angler is gaining line on the catfish, they gain confidence, starting cranking that star down adding more tension, the catfish gets to the side of the boat, has a walleyed hissy fit (that s Texan for goes nuts and starts splashing around) and makes another run and the line snaps at that point. The last thing you need to remember is that it is the fishing rod that brings the fish in, not the reel. STORING REELS AND DRAG If for some reason after all of my advice you are compelling to crank down that star on the reel as tight as it will go, you need to make sure that you back that off and loosen it up when you are done fishing. Most drag systems contain some synthetic washers as part of the system. When you crank that star down as hard as it will go and leave it that way for extended periods of time it compresses these washers and causes them to lose shape, and in turn will ultimately not function properly. If you are in an area that has extreme heat in the Summer then this can be a really big problem very quickly, which forces replacement of these parts for the fishing reel to function properly. 57

58 BAIT CLICKERS/LINE ALARMS When the bait clicker is engaged it causes the reel to make a clicking noise anytime the spool on the reel moves. What this does is allows the reel to be set in free spool where a catfish can run with the fishing line allowing there to be no resistance from the rod and reel, and when the spool begins to move a clicking noise is made alerting you that you have a bite so you can engage the reel and set the hook on the fish. The basic process for most techniques is: Cast your line into the water (most commonly fished with a slip sinker rig), Remove all the slack from the line Put the fishing rod into a rod holder (double check and make sure the slack is out of the line) Set the reel in free spool (push the button in that you would use to disengage the spool when you cast). When a catfish comes along and takes your bait, and moves the line the reel will begin making a clicking noise. At this point you would engage the spool (by turning the handle) and set the hook and begin your retrieve. This is very common technique for fishing for blue catfish and flathead catfish, again using a slip sinker rig or santee rig is most common (but you can use other rigs as well). Blues and flatheads are well known for hitting hard and running with a bait so this is a very good technique for fishing for these species. Channel cats typically will not strike near as hard or run with baits so more often than not if you try to use this technique for fishing for channels you will miss more fish than you can catch (which is another reason I use the Secret Catfish Rig). This is not an absolute technique because as you begin to use it you will find that there are times when the fish will not run with bait and without holding the rod you will be missing bites, but overall is a very good place to start when fishing for blue and flathead catfish if you are not using circle hooks. If the fish are not running with the line then using the high visibility line gives you the ability to see the fish moving to the side, and obviously your line will go slack if they are swimming towards the boat. 58