02-10-2019, 07:23 PM
With catfishing soon to begin it might be interesting to share favorite cat rigs as used by those who enjoy going after these big ugly fish.
Here’s mine:
Rod: I like the Ugly Stick in MH. They hold up well and have enough bendo to handle the big fish.
Reel: Make mine an open face spinning reel with emphasis on the quality of the drag. My reels (I have at least a dozen of them) are all in the $60 to $80 range. I find these to be durable, with good drags, and less likely to cause agony and tears when a grandkid sits his pole down “for just a second” with the bail close and I watch the rod and reel disappear over the side of the boat.
Line: I like 20 -30# Power Pro braid in Moss Green color. I tie directly to the hook with a double loop Uni Knot. I do not use a leader or a swivel. The 20# braid gives me the strength I sometimes need to head off a big cat that is making a run for the reeds to tangle up and break off.
Hooks: I prefer a 5/0 or 6/0 red Gamakatsu Octopus (the red probably appeals to me more so than to the cats) I have tried the circle hooks and they work great but I like the “trigger pull” that is more appropriate to the Octopus.
Bait: White bass, carp, and minnows. I always have a small rod rigged with a wb lure to pick up fresh bait whenever possible and a bow with a fish arrow for a chance at fresh carp. Fresh is always better but I have a freezer full of wb, cut up carp, suckers, and assorted minnows that work very well in the absence of fresh bait.
Method: I like ‘em all – bank tanglin’, boatin’, and kayaking. I fish my baits on the bottom where snags a not likely and under bobber among the rocks. I prefer dragging baits at about .05 across the mud flats when fishing from boat or yak.
Favorite water: Utah Lake, lots of cats and close to home.
Okay, what’s your favorite catfishing’ rig?
I’m ready, bring it on!
BLK
[signature]
Here’s mine:
Rod: I like the Ugly Stick in MH. They hold up well and have enough bendo to handle the big fish.
Reel: Make mine an open face spinning reel with emphasis on the quality of the drag. My reels (I have at least a dozen of them) are all in the $60 to $80 range. I find these to be durable, with good drags, and less likely to cause agony and tears when a grandkid sits his pole down “for just a second” with the bail close and I watch the rod and reel disappear over the side of the boat.
Line: I like 20 -30# Power Pro braid in Moss Green color. I tie directly to the hook with a double loop Uni Knot. I do not use a leader or a swivel. The 20# braid gives me the strength I sometimes need to head off a big cat that is making a run for the reeds to tangle up and break off.
Hooks: I prefer a 5/0 or 6/0 red Gamakatsu Octopus (the red probably appeals to me more so than to the cats) I have tried the circle hooks and they work great but I like the “trigger pull” that is more appropriate to the Octopus.
Bait: White bass, carp, and minnows. I always have a small rod rigged with a wb lure to pick up fresh bait whenever possible and a bow with a fish arrow for a chance at fresh carp. Fresh is always better but I have a freezer full of wb, cut up carp, suckers, and assorted minnows that work very well in the absence of fresh bait.
Method: I like ‘em all – bank tanglin’, boatin’, and kayaking. I fish my baits on the bottom where snags a not likely and under bobber among the rocks. I prefer dragging baits at about .05 across the mud flats when fishing from boat or yak.
Favorite water: Utah Lake, lots of cats and close to home.
Okay, what’s your favorite catfishing’ rig?
I’m ready, bring it on!
BLK
[signature]