06-04-2017, 07:02 PM
[#0000FF]I was properly "geared up" for the biggun when I caught him. We had found an area with a goodly number of "Lion Kings"...and we were using salt water sized rods, reels, lines and hooks. In fact, it was uncommon to catch anything UNDER 10 pounds over about a six week stretch. But that doesn't mean we just cranked them in. Even on tough tackle those big mean cats pull hard and get mean.
I have caught much bigger blue cats and flathead cats (not in Utah Lake). But my opinion is that pound for pound a UL kittie can hold its own against any other species from any other water. As the saying goes..."They punch above their weight class."
Like a lot of folks, I prefer to use the lightest gear that makes sense. I use mostly 12 to 14 pound braid in Utah Lake...for cats. 6-8# for other species. And I use Silver Thread Excalibur leaders which are abrasion resistant...25# for cats...6 or 8# for others. But I often find myself attached to some pretty good sized cats that take my small jigs on light rods. Then you find out how good your line and knots are.
Even though I enjoy fighting larger fish on light tackle I do not like the prospect of stressing the fish too much with a prolonged fight on gear too light for the fish I am catching. Cats can handle it better than most other species, but when it takes twice as long to bring one in it cuts into your fishing time.
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I have caught much bigger blue cats and flathead cats (not in Utah Lake). But my opinion is that pound for pound a UL kittie can hold its own against any other species from any other water. As the saying goes..."They punch above their weight class."
Like a lot of folks, I prefer to use the lightest gear that makes sense. I use mostly 12 to 14 pound braid in Utah Lake...for cats. 6-8# for other species. And I use Silver Thread Excalibur leaders which are abrasion resistant...25# for cats...6 or 8# for others. But I often find myself attached to some pretty good sized cats that take my small jigs on light rods. Then you find out how good your line and knots are.
Even though I enjoy fighting larger fish on light tackle I do not like the prospect of stressing the fish too much with a prolonged fight on gear too light for the fish I am catching. Cats can handle it better than most other species, but when it takes twice as long to bring one in it cuts into your fishing time.
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