Although your rod and reel choice isn’t the number one variable to catching catfish, it is still important and can make your day on the water much more enjoyable. A good rod is comfortable when used with your intended technique, and helps you hook more fish. Choosing your rod and reel is an exciting step towards becoming your local catfish expert.
Choose a catfish rod and reel combo too big, and it’ll feel cumbersome and be tiring to hold and cast.
But if you choose a rod too small, you risk losing a big fish for lack of control. Also, a small rod my not be able to throw the appropriate bates you need for catfish.
Finding the perfect rod and reel depends a lot on your desired technique and size of catfish you are going after. But if you are unsure what type of fishing you are going to do, I’ll also talk about some good all around catfish rods.
Hopefully you have done some research on what kinds of catfishing opportunities are in your area, and how you’re going to go about catching them. If not that’s fine, but I recommend knowing these things before going out and buying a rod and reel.
When you go to the store to buy a rod and reel, you’ll see that you can either buy them separate or as a combo.
Combos are usually marketed towards beginners as cheaper options to get started. They usually are cheaper and of lesser quality, but if that is what your budget can afford then go for it! You don’t need highly specialized equipment to catch catfish. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely benefits to using high quality gear, but don’t feel like you can’t catch catfish without it.
Regardless of whether you decide to buy a combo or not, these are the things to look at in a catfish rod and reel.
Rod And Reel For Big Catfish
If you are going to be targeting trophy sized catfish, then you’ll most likely be fishing from a boat. Big blue catfish are usually caught in deep waters on the bottom.
Length
When fishing for big catfish from a boat, 7′ is usually a good all around length. You don’t need the casting distance of an 8′ rod because you can usually get the boat closer to the fish. A rod longer than 8′ can also become rather cumbersome on a boat and for transportation.
You still don’t want to go shorter than 7′, because longer rods also give you more control when fighting your fish.
When fishing for big cats from the bank, you may want to look into surf-rods which are around 12-15′ long. This is pretty extreme, and should only be considered if you really need the casting distance and will be catching 40+ pound catfish. You need plenty of open space behind and above you to swing a 12′ rod.
If you want to target trophy catfish from the bank, and can’t reach the deeper water, then you may still be able to catch them in the spring time when they move into shallower water.
Power
Use a medium heavy or heavy rod for big catfish. Since you’ll usually be fishing deep and potentially in current, you’ll need to cast big weights and big baits. A heavy power rod will be able to handle those weights and give you good backbone to fight big fish.
Action
Use a moderate to fast action rod for all catfish. You need the sensitivity of a fast action to detect the bites. But the flex of the moderate action is good when fishing with circle hooks and your rod is in a rod holder… which is usually the case when targeting big cats.
Material
The three main fishing rod materials are fiberglass, graphite and carbon.
Fiberglass are a little heavier, but much tougher and more flexible. This is the best choice for big catfish.
Graphite and carbon rods are lighter and more sensitive, but they are more brittle and likely to snap under pressure. these are more suited for bass and trout fishing.
Carbon and graphite rods do have a place in catfishing if you are going after smaller fish and will be holding the rod in your hand for most of the day. The weight difference is quite significant.
Reels For Big Catfish
Most people who target big catfish opt for a round casting reel. Large spinning reels can work as well, but casting reels are better designed to cast big baits farther, as well as bring in bigger fish.
Line Capacity
Casting reels generally have a bigger line capacity. This is especially important when you are using thick line like 20-30 pound mono. When you are fishing deep lakes for trophy catfish, then you need plenty of line on your spool to reach them and still let them pull some line out during the fight.
Drag
Having a smooth drag is very important when targeting big catfish. The drag allows line to slowly and controllably come off the spool when a big fish pulls hard. The drag is there to prevent a fish from breaking your line. You should adjust your drag each time you go out fishing. Set it so that is is loose enough to not break your line, yet tight enough to keep pressure on your fish.
Bait Clicker
The bait clicker is an option on some of the better casting reels. When it is switched on, it’ll make a clicking noise when a fish is pulling line off our your spool. This is useful when you keep your rods in rod holders and want the click to be a sort of bite alarm.
Very few spinning reels have this feature, but you can get electronic bite alarms that will beep at you when you are getting bit. And if you want the fish to be able to swim off with the bait and pull line off your spool without noticing your rod, then you can get “bite and run” reels which have a secondary drag switch that will keep the line under very light tension, yet allow the fish to pull line off the spool.
Rod And Reel For Small Catfish
Small catfish can be fun as well. Usually when you are targeting small catfish, you can expect a bigger quantity.
Length
If you are fishing from a boat, stick with 7′ to 7.5′ rods. They are more accurate when casting and give you good control over the fish.
If you are fishing from the bank, I would be in the 7.5′-8.5′ range. If you feel like casting distance is important at your lake, pond or river, then go with the 8.5′ rod. That extra foot will make a huge difference.
Power
A medium power rod should be plenty to cast the smaller weights and baits that you use to catch smaller catfish.
The exception would be if you are fishing strong current and need to use heavy weights to keep the bait on the bottom. In which case go with a heavy power rod.
Action
Again, stick to a moderate or fast action rod.
The flex of the moderate action rod is good when you’ll be fishing with circle hooks and leaving your rods in rod holders. A softer rod will also help to keep baits like chicken liver from flinging off the hook when you cast.
A fast action rod will give your more sensitivity when you are holding the rod in your hand feeling for bites.
Material
When using a rod holder, stick with fiberglass rods for their durability and effectiveness with circle hooks.
When fishing with rod in hand, use a carbon or graphite rod. A light weight rod will be much less tiring to hold and cast throughout the day. These sensitive materials will also help you to detect more bites.
Reels For Small Catfish
If you plan to target both small and trophy catfish then I would lean towards getting a casting reel for the reasons above. But if you only have smaller catfish in your area or you are more interested in catching lots of fish, then you’ll do great with a spinning reel.
You don’t need to spend a lot on a spinning reel. I usually pick a reel in the $30 range. The important thing to look for is instant anti-reverse. You want to make sure the handle will not turn backwards when the reel is engaged.
As far as size goes, just make sure it’s designed for the size of line you plan to use. For smaller catfish (under 5 pounds) you can use 10 to 12 pound test line. If using braid go with 15-30 pound test just because you can.
Getting Picky With Rod Components
Rod components are the parts of a fishing rod such as the handle and reel seat. The components are not only for looks, but for function as well. When choosing a catfish rod and reel combo, there are a few key points to consider.
Blank
The Blank is the actual rod. After you take away the handle, reel seat, and guides, the blank is what you are left with.
This is what most of the research and technology goes into. The material and design of the blank is what determines it’s action and power, among other things.
Fiberglass
The most popular material for catfish rods is fiberglass. Fiberglass rods are flexible yet powerful and can usually be bent in a full U shape without breaking. But this durability comes at the cost of weight and sensitivity.
Most of the cheap fishing rods sold at Walmart and other big box stores for $12 to $25 are made out of fiberglass. So the good news is if you don’t mind the extra weight and plan to leave your rod in a rod holder while waiting for a bite, then you don’t have to go out and spend big bucks to get the job done.
Graphite
Graphite rods are much stiffer and more sensitive than fiberglass.
Unfortunately this also makes them more fragile. You really need to pay attention to your surroundings when casting so as not to hit anything that could damage your rod. If you have a big fish on you’ll also have to be more careful not to put too much bend in the rod.
The positive of graphite rods is that they are much lighter than fiberglass. If your fishing technique calls for a lot of casting and holding the rod in our hand while fishing, then graphite is probably the better choice.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon rods are made using different weaves of carbon fiber strands, then mixed with resin to take form. There is a lot of science and technology that goes into carbon fiber rods. They take some of the characteristics of both fiberglass and graphite and combine them. But these rods are generally a bit more expensive.
Carbon rods are light and strong, but still not as strong as fiberglass rods.
Rod Handle
The material that the handle is made out of is more up to personal preference when choosing a rod and reel combo for catfish. However the length of the handle is important.
You’ll notice that catfish rods have relatively long handles. This helps you to have more control when reeling in a big catfish. Long handles give the fisherman more leverage for pulling the fish up and helps to reduce fatigue.
Cork, Foam, Cord, or Carbon?
These are your popular options for rod handles. The traditional material is cork. Personally I like the looks and feel of cork, but there is more to consider than just looks.
Washability
I think I made that word up… The only thing worse than stink bait is having your rod handle smell like stink bait. If you plan on fishing with stink baits like chicken liver, and all those jars of who-knows-what at the tackle shop, then make sure you get a rod handle that will wash off easily.
Carbon fiber handles would be the easiest to clean.
Foam isn’t too bad.
Cork can hold smells a little longer.
Paracord wrapped handles can be the worst.
Comfort
If you aren’t using stink baits, or at least not too often, then comfort may be your biggest consideration. Comfort is all subject to personal preference. So I really can’t rank them. The best thing to do is go to the store and see what feels good to you.
The shape of the handle also has a lot to do with comfort, but catfish rods generally just have perfectly cylindrical handles. I do like to have a trigger on my bait caster rods, but it’s not a requirement.
Durability
Another important factor can be durability. This can be especially important depending on what type of rod holders you use. Some cheaper rod holders may have sharp edges that can take chunks out of your handle when you are fumbling to get it out while a big catfish is pulling on it.
But other than that, I use mostly cork handles which are probably the least durable, yet I have never had one fall apart on me. And I’m not easy on my gear.
Rod Guides
The guides are the loops along the rod that the line passes through. the more guides there are, the better the load of the fish will be distributed throughout the rod. But more guides also mean more weight.
You’ll hear about guide inserts. This would be a ring of ceramic or metal that is actually in contact with your line. When you use braid for big fish you’ll eventually start cutting into your guide inserts. Check them occasionally for wear. If the cuts get bad, then they can abrade or cut your line. Steel or other alloys will last longer than ceramic.
Reel Seat
Your reel seat is the part of your handle where the reel is fastened to the rod. Cheaper rods will usually use plastic reel seats, and higher end reel seats will usually be metal. I have never seen or heard of a reel seat breaking, so I wouldn’t worry too much about the material. Where I have had issues is with reel seats coming loose and dropping my reel on the ground or into the water.
Just make sure that the reel seat is sturdy and clamps down well onto your reel.
Hook Keeper
The hook keeper is a small detail, but makes things much easier. It is simply a small hook or ring of sorts that’s right above the handle. When you are transporting your rods, or just moving from one spot to the next, you can hook your hook on it and reel in the slack line. This keeps everything neat and less tangle prone.
Reel Components
Bearings
Ball bearings are what make the parts of your reel spin smoother and with less friction. Higher end reels usually use more ball bearings to make the reel smoother and more durable. But more bearings also mean more weight.
Handle
For casting rods, there are two types of handles. There is the regular handle and a power handle. Regular handles have two handle knobs that are sized to fit in your fingers for quickly reeling in average sized fish. The power handle has only one knob and a longer arm which helps you to really get a hold of it and crank in big heavy fish.
Another thing to pay attention to is if you like to reel with your left or right hand. On almost all spinning reels, you can switch the handle from one side to the other. However, casting reels just come in right hand or left hand configurations.
It makes no difference if you are right handed or left handed, it’s simply what feels normal to you. I’m right handed but can’t reel with my right hand to save my life. So I always get left handed reels.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio is the ratio of how many times the spool turns for every one turn of the handle. A reel with a 5.3:1 ratio means that the spool will spin 5.3 times for every one turn of the handle. 4.0:1 to 5.3:1 are good gear ratios for catfish.
Drag
The main purpose of drag is to prevent your line from breaking when a fish pulls hard. You can and should adjust your drag according to the strength of your line. Keep it tight enough that you’ll have good presser on the fish at all times, but loose enough that if he makes a run, your line won’t snap. You’ll get a feel for this over time.
Don’t leave your drag tightened down for months at a time. It will deform the drag bushing and your drag won’t work as well.
Understanding Rod Specs
Understanding rod and reel specs is important when choosing a catfish combo. The rod specs are usually written on the rod blank just above the handle. If not, then you can contact the manufacturer or check online. But pretty much every rod I have seen has it on the blank.
Rod Length
Longer rods help you to cast farther and give you more control while reeling in fish. Shorter rods are easier to transport and if you are bank fishing and have a lot of trees overhead then a short rod would be easier.
For catfish try to stay within 7 to 9 feet long. This should give you adequate casting distance and good control when reeling in big fish.
Rod Power
The power of a rod refers to how much weight it can throw. Some designations are ultralight (UL), medium light (ML), medium heavy (MH) and so on.
As you now know, fishing for catfish generally requires the use of big baits, hooks, and weights. A medium heavy (MH) to heavy (H) power rod is best.
Rod Action
Rod action has to do with the way the rod bends under weight. Slow action rods under weight have a curve that goes from the tip all the way to the handle. A fast action rod would curve at the tip and be pretty straight for the rest of the way to the handle.
Slow action rods are less sensitive than fast action, and moderate action would be between those.
For catfish, a moderate action rod is usually a good pick. If you are leaving your rods in a rod holder and using circle hooks then the soft tip will help to get those circle hooks set just right.
If you like to keep the rod in your hand and set the hook yourself, then you may want a faster action rod. You’ll be able to detect the bites much more clearly and therefore have better timing on the hookset.
Lure Weight Rating
The lure weight rating will tell you the range of weight the rod is designed to throw. For example my trout rod has a lure weight rating of 1/32 to 3/8 oz. For catfish, my sinker and bait is almost always going to be around 1 oz. or bigger so this trout rod wouldn’t work well for catfish.
A catfish rod should be rated to throw weights in the 1/2 to 3 oz. range. And if you are fishing in strong river currents you may need a stronger rod to throw heavier sinkers.
You can cast weights outside of the range written on your rod, but you’ll likely lose casting distance and accuracy. If you go heavier than the recommended weight, then you risk breaking the rod.
I have broken a couple rods by exceeding the weight limit.
Line Weight Rating
The line rating gives you a range of what size line to use. This isn’t as important, but if you use 4 pound line on a rod that is rated for 12-20 pound line, then the rod will probably be too stiff and break your line when you get a bite. On the other hand you could use 60 pound braid on a rod that is rated for up to 12 pound mono without trouble.
For catfish you’ll likely be fishing with 10-20 pound mono so a rod in that range will be great.
Reel Specs
Make sure you get a reel that will match your catfish rod and fishing style.
The reel specs are usually written on or near the spool. If not, then you can look them up online or on the box.
There are really only two specs that you need to pay attention to.
Line Capacity
The line capacity shows approximately how much line of a certain pound test can fit on the reel. For example 10/230 means that the reel can fit 230 yards of 10 pound test mono.
Reels will also usually have a separate rating for braid. For example Braid: 14/280 means that if you are using braided line you can fit 280 yards of 14 pound test.
Look for reels that have line capacity ratings for the line you’ll be using. Probably 10-20 pound mono.
Casting reels generally have much more line capacity than spinning reels. They are better if you plan on making long casts with heavy line… which is common for catfish.
Gear Ratio
Before I talk about gear ratio I want to make it clear that the reel should not be doing the work of pulling the fish in. This should be done with the rod. Lift the rod tip to pull the fish closer, then as you lower the rod tip reel in to keep the tension. Then raise the rod tip again and repeat.
If you try to bring the fish in just by reeling, then it will feel awkward, and worse it will wear out your reel.
I talked about gear ratio above but for catfish you want something around the 4.0:1 5.3:1 ratio. I’d lean towards 5.3:1
A bass fishing reel could be as fast as 8.0:1 when you want to get the fish to the boat quickly and keep good tension on him. But it may not have the power to reel against a big catfish.
A fly fishing reel on the other hand is a 1.0:1 ratio. There are no gears in a fly reel you just spin the spool directly. It would take a long time to reel in 100 yards of line on a fly reel. But with fly fishing you’re rarely casting more than 20 yards.
Faster gear ratios will allow you to reel in slack line quickly so you can stay in contact with the fish if it starts swimming towards you. But slower gear ratios will be more powerful for when you need to recover line but the fish isn’t giving you any slack.
Choosing a Catfish Rod and Reel
Hopefully you feel confident enough now to browse around the store and see what rods and reels meet your needs.
Don’t limit yourself to a catfish specific rod and reel. You might find a salmon rod or a bass rod that fits all the same requirements you are looking for in a catfish rod, and it may even be cheaper or higher quality.
As far as reels go there aren’t really catfish specific reels. Just look for something that can handle the size line you want to use and has a gear ratio around 4.0:1 to 5.3:1
Rod and Reel Combos For Catfish
If you prefer to just get a rod and reel combo that is already well matched, you can save money but may sacrifice quality. But honestly if you only fish occasionally and or money is tight, then you can still have a lot of fun with cheap combos.
You can often find deals at Walmart or big box sporting goods stores where you can get a rod and reel combo for $15-$20.
Or you can take it a step up and buy something like the UglyStick Catfish combo or the Bass Pro Shops King Kat Rod and Reel combo for around $40-$50.
