\n Whether you\u2019re pursuing feisty bullheads, aggressive channels, bully blues, or brutish flatheads, you\u2019ll need a catfish rod that\u2019s up to the task. Some anglers want rods that are limber and long, with more action so they can play a fish. Others want shorter stout rods for leverage to quickly get a fish to the boat or bank. Rod, reel, line, and other components need to work in concert to help you land a catfish efficiently. Catfish, especially big ones, surge and roll, and bury around cover. And If you just slap a reel on the first cheap rod you find at your local hardware store, those bucks you save might cost you the fish of a lifetime.<\/p>\n To help you find the best catfish rods, I interviewed fishing guides who pay the bills with monster cats to find out which ones excel no matter where you plan to fish.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why It Made the Cut<\/strong><\/p>\n A great price and durability make the Ugly Stik a superb value for catfishing.<\/p>\n Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Product Description\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Shakespeare\u2019s legendary Ugly Stik fishing rods have proven themselves time and again for a wide variety of species. They\u2019re tough enough to withstand boat slams, cooler smashes in the truck bed, inattentive kids (and adults), and battles with big fish. The latest iteration for whisker fish anglers\u2014the Ugly Stik Catfish Special<\/a>\u2014comes in spinning and casting models in lengths from 7-12 feet. They\u2019re rated for 10-40-pound-test and are designed with medium-heavy power on moderate action rods. That\u2019s a good middle-of-the-road combination for a value priced rod that punches above its weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n Along with the rod\u2019s guts\u2014thin woven sheets of graphite and fiberglass\u2014special touches and good looks add even more panache. It might seem like catfish anglers only care about stinky baits and big fish, but stylish rods are an added bonus. Shakespeare also has a 7-year warranty, which is a heck of a deal for a $60 rod.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why It Made the Cut<\/strong><\/p>\n Affordable, tough, and widely available, the Ugly Stick rods are one of Capt. Richard Simms\u2019 favorites when he\u2019s drifting the Tennessee river for catfish.<\/p>\n Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Product Description\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Capt. Richard Simms with Scenic City Fishing in Chattanooga<\/a> typically employs two primary tactics for his Tennessee River catfishing trips: drifting with the current while using light spinning tackle, and \u201cbumping bottom\u201d in deeper water with heavier tackle. For the former, Simms strongly recommends the Shakespeare Ugly Stik line<\/a> of spinning and casting rods. He uses both and prefers them for clients, because they\u2019re durable and easy to work even if they land a monster.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t know your clients\u2019 abilities,\u201d he says. \u201cI always practice patience over power. The Ugly Stik rods, especially the 7-foot spinning rods, have a relatively light action. I preach to clients to keep the rod tip up and let the \u2018bend be your friend\u2019 while they\u2019re fighting a fish.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Ugly Stik rods come in 7- and 8-foot lengths and medium-heavy action for casting and spinning. Additional options would be a plus, but for just $50 these are affordable workhorses. Guides love them, clients won\u2019t (typically) break them, and they work. So, whether you\u2019re taking out a new angler or want something that can endure a beating, the Ugly Stik can handle it, which is why Capt. Simms has been using them for decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI have some Ugly Stik rods that are over 20 years old,\u201d he says. \u201cMany of them are different lengths and actions with the original guides, and I still use them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why It Made the Cut<\/strong><\/p>\n For big baits, weights, and catfish, this Bumping Rod from B\u2019n\u2019M takes it all in stride.<\/p>\n Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Product Description<\/strong><\/p>\n Drifting light baits, such as cut chicken breasts (it works), on light tackle is fun. But when Capt. Richard Simms needs to go deeper, he prefers bigger gear. Simms will upsize his rod, line, weight, and bait to drift or anchor while bumping the bottom for bigger catfish.\u00a0He and his clients catch everything from 15-pounders to 65-plus brutes. That\u2019s why he opts for a B\u2019n\u2019M Poles Bumping Rod<\/a> to get the job done.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cDrift fishing in deeper water with heavier tackle with a suspended bait off the bottom, or bottom-bumping, is a great tactic,\u201d Simms says. \u201cThe Bumping Rod has a heavy backbone and good tip, and it\u2019s a good all-around rod. When you\u2019re bumping bottom, you want something that has some sensitivity but still has the ability to get a big one to the net.\u201d<\/p>\n For Simms, the Bumping Rod has just enough sensitivity and plenty of backbone for plucking giant river cats off the bottom.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why It Made the Cut<\/strong><\/p>\n Justin Conner and Tabitha Linville, The Catfishing Duo, rely on the Hellcat rods when they\u2019re guiding for big flatheads and blue cats in deep water.<\/p>\n Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Product Description<\/strong><\/p>\n Justin Conner and Tabitha Linville, The Catfishing Duo, guide regularly in West Virginia on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers<\/a> for flathead and blue catfish. They\u2019ve caught catfish up to 65 pounds, and Linville says the Hellcat<\/a> rods from Catch the Fever are the perfect size for big flatties and blues.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn spring the flatheads don\u2019t bite as frequently and have a softer bite instead of really going for the bait hard, so we opt for the medium-heavy,\u201d she says. \u201cThat gives us more detection with the bite, because it has a more sensitive tip.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n During the summer months, Conner and Linville do a lot of night fishing. And they both prefer the bright green rod (and line) option, because it\u2019s easy to see bites in the dark.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Hellcat series also comes in medium, medium-heavy, heavy and extra-heavy actions, capable of handling 10-pound-test for small cats to 80-pound-test for monsters.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe use the heavy action in summer, but it depends mostly on the current,\u201d Linville says. \u201cThere\u2019s more backbone to those heavy rods and we\u2019ll use them if we have clients who aren\u2019t as familiar with holding the rods. The tips are sensitive, which definitely helps. So you\u2019ll know it\u2019s a flathead because the rod tip goes down real slow, but a blue just smokes it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why It Made the Cut<\/strong><\/p>\n These durable rods can handle the abuse that kids or novice anglers can impose on them.<\/p>\n Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Product Description<\/strong><\/p>\n Over the past 30 years Billy Blakely has caught or helped catch countless catfish at Reelfoot Lake. This stump-filled whisker fish dream in northwest Tennessee holds fields of lily pads and water that\u2019s deep enough to harbor large cats through the winter. Blakley\u2019s go-to rod for fishing Reelfoot is the B\u2019n\u2019M Silver Cat series<\/a>, which he prefers to use with kids or new anglers, who, at least from his experience, can be rough on rods.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had people with a wide range of fishing abilities over the years,\u201d Blakely says. \u201cWe use flat bottom aluminum boats, and while we take care of our gear they do get banged around a bit. I\u2019ve used the Silver Cat series for quite a while and they\u2019ve always held up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Blakely noted that the price-to-performance ratio of the Silver Cat is one reason he keeps using them. And just because the Silver Cats are some of the best catfish rods for kids or new anglers doesn\u2019t mean they aren\u2019t for seasoned fishermen either. These rods have enough backbone for big cats, so if you hang a 40-pounder, you can get it in, Blakely says.\u00a0<\/p>\n Catfish are found all around the world<\/a>. You\u2019ll find them in almost any water: clear, dirty, hot, cold, swift rivers or placid lakes, farm ponds, and small creeks. Some anglers believe that locating them is the toughest part. But once they\u2019re hooked, the fight isn\u2019t easy either. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to have the right rod for the job.<\/p>\n Budget<\/strong><\/p>\n The great thing about most catfish rods is that they\u2019re quite affordable. Most cost between $50 and $100, and if you\u2019re really keen on something specific you can pay more for a custom one.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Rod Action<\/strong><\/p>\n Are you targeting small- to average-sized fish in a farm pond or around boat docks on the lake? A medium-heavy spinning rod will do the job. If you\u2019re going after large catfish, you\u2019ll need more backbone that heavy-action rods provide.\u00a0<\/p>\n Handle Length\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n When you land a fish, especially a big one, you might want a longer handle that you can tuck under your arm for leverage while you\u2019re reeling. Of course, if you\u2019re targeting farm ponds or smaller cats, this won\u2019t be as big of an issue.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n For years, graphite, fiberglass, or a combination of both have been the staple materials for catfish rods. Graphite is more sensitive and lighter, which helps you detect more bites, and they\u2019re more comfortable to hold and cast, too. However, graphite is more fragile. Fiberglass rods\u2014usually E-Glass or S-Glass\u2014aren\u2019t nearly as sensitive, but they\u2019re more durable.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The bait you should use for catfish depends on the species and target size. If you\u2019re in a farm pond or small creek with smaller fish, consider using nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or some kind of stinkbait.\u00a0<\/p>\n On bigger waters for larger blues and channels, cut shad works great. Fresh shad is best. The bloodier, oilier and guttier, the better. Cut into chunks or fillets. Use the gut sack by itself or on a hook with a fillet. If you use the head, step on it a little to get the juices running.\u00a0<\/p>\n For big flatheads, cut bait is an option but live bait\u2014bluegills or shad\u2014is better. Clip a fin so the bait appears wounded and drop either of those into a flathead\u2019s lair. Be sure to check state regulations for using live bait.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n You want to carefully remove a hook from a catfish because they have spiny fins, and they\u2019re especially sharp. Using a fish gripper<\/a>, like a Boga Grip<\/a> or Berkley Big Game Lip Grip<\/a> can help you control the catfish while you\u2019re handling it. Extra long, needle-nose pliers are my go-to for removing hooks from catfish.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you\u2019re trying to put more catfish in the cooler, you\u2019ll want the best catfish rods to get the job done. Just make sure you match your rod to the species and style of fishing you prefer.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve fished for more than 40 years for catfish and other species on large and small waters with friends, family, and guides. For this review, I compiled my own experience and tips from fishing guides to make these selections. These guides rely on equipment that can withstand hundreds of tough fishing days (and nights) every year. Consider their suggestions when you decide to upgrade your catfish rig.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n Published Sep 15, 2022 6:00 PM
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How to Choose a Catfish Rod<\/h2>\n
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FAQs<\/h2>\n
Q: Is graphite or fiberglass better for catfish rods?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Q: What bait should I use for catfish?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Q: How do you remove a hook from a catfish?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n
Methodology\u00a0<\/h2>\n