This tutorial is all about catfish rods, not poles. Some anglers finesse fish and walk the banks and target areas right against and near the shore. All of the suggested products are products that I’ve used and tested so I can speak to their quality and performance. It’s possible to have gear that’s suitable for all species of catfish but that might not be the best choice. Cheaper fishing rods will always have fewer line guides. • Line guides distribute stress throughout the fishing rod when fighting a fish. Shore fishing is a different story and there are a variety of approaches to shore fishing. These are not the rods that your grandfather used that came apart and wouldn’t stay together. There are three basic materials used for rod handles, foam, cork, and “paracord”. PENN Battle III 4000 Fishing Combo 7' 3-Piece MH Rod BTLIII4000703MTRVL 152246. The 7′ model can often be found on sale for $25 or less and is a good entry-level catfish rod option. Always put the performance features over the cosmetics, otherwise, you’ll be disappointed. Ending Apr 11 at 6:33AM PDT 11h 56m. I’ve been using them for over twenty years and a good portion of that time as a professional catfish angler and I have never had one single situation where I felt a two-piece fishing rod caused a problem during that time or cost me a fish. When a rod is in a fishing 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 or activity on the end of the line. If you’ve got the money to spend and can’t find a mass-produced model that meets your needs then spend some time exploring the world of custom rods. Here are a few of our favorites for smaller channel cats: Shakespeare Ugly Stik USCA761ML or Shakespeare Ugly Stik USCA701M Price $40. We’ll do our best to keep this list updated and accurate. These long surf rods are a great fishing rod for catching trophy blue or flathead catfish from the shore in open water but are an awful match for catching smaller catfish of any species, targeting channel catfish, or using any techniques that require some precision. 14 beautifully finished spacious cabins with up to 4 BR, 2 bathrooms, elaborate decking. $15.00. Don’t get me wrong, there are people that use them with great success but your best bet is going to be baitcasting reels and rods. The Ugly Stik Tiger Rod is the rod that always comes to mind as I see anglers suggest it often for catfish. • Line guides transfer vibrations through the fishing rod during a “nibble” or bite and help you to feel what is taking place. In the interest of “full disclosure”, one of the catfishing rods you’ll find in the suggested options is one that I’ve personally designed and endorsed. The best choice in a catfish rod is going depend on you, which species of catfish you target, the size of these catfish you typically catch, and the catfishing techniques that you’ll be using. The absolute best approach is to find others you can fish with and use their gear and see how it suits you and then make your buying decisions from there if possible. Don’t obsess over the right rod, reel, or anything else for that matter, just get on the water and start fishing. Many shore fishing anglers that target large catfish use long rods and make long casts and do so by using fishing rods up to ten feet in length (or more) often referred to as “surf rods”. The Whisker Seeker Tackle Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod is a great fit if you’re looking for a good general-purpose catfish rod capable of fishing for smaller channels and blues but beefy enough to land the biggest and trophy cats. You will rarely have issues with the handles being slick when wet or covered with slime. As long as I can see the end of the fishing rod well, I could care less what color it is. Attempting to do this with a graphite rod is a recipe for disaster. Get more exclusive catfish fishing tips here by email, make sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow me on Instagram and Twitter. My response is always the same. You can also use a black light to enable you to see the rod tips in the dark instead of chemical light sticks. These small light sticks glow much brighter and for longer periods of time than anything else you’ll find. If you have never fought and landed a really large fish with a short fishing rod and short handle it’s hard to understand. You need to decide which species of catfish you plan to target, the techniques you’ll be using and which type of catfish angler you are before you purchase catfish rods that are a poor choice for your needs. Depending on which species of catfish you target, which size catfish you want to catch, and the techniques you will use you may or may not use circle hooks. There are additional options listed below in the “great big list of catfish rods”, an all-inclusive list of manufacturers and models of which we have not tested all of them. I also find that when fishing for smaller “box fish” I catch significantly less fish when using rods that are too heavy. The advantage of these line guides is they don’t have inserts that fall out or will be damaged so you have a more durable fishing rod for long term use. These are often worlds where two-piece fishing rods are looked down on. Others prefer to make long casts and place their baits as far as they can in open water. S-Glass is stronger has nearly twice the modulus of e-glass making it a much stronger material. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone suggest that the Ugly Stik Tiger Rod is a good catfish rod. Choose your catfish rods based on action, power, and other features and not on whether it’s a one-piece or two-piece rod. If you’re intent is to catch 1–5 lb catfish and you don’t have the interest or opportunity to catch larger catfish then a shorter fishing rod will work fine for you. The length of a fishing rod has a major role in its performance and use. As you would expect since s-glass is a superior product it’s more expensive than e-glass so fewer manufacturers use it to build catfish rods. If you’re unable to find the right action, power, length, and features in a mass-produced model then having a custom rod built is an option. E-Glass, Carbon Fiber, Graphite and Other Rod Types, Fishing Rod Length and Why It Matters For Catfish, Circle Hooks and Catfish Rods, Why It Matters, Why Are The Handles So Long On Catfish Rods, Catfish Rod Selection, What Features Do You Need, What To Consider When Choosing Your Catfish Rod, The Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod, Suggested Catfish Rods For Every Size, Species and Technique, Chad Ferguson Signature Series Rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle here, Holds up well and takes repeated long term abuse (I don’t “baby” my catfishing gear), Cost effective (as much as I would like to be able to buy $250 fishing rods, I can’t/won’t). The other reason for custom builds is cosmetics as you can pick your own colors, wraps, and other features making each one exactly as you want it. I see so many people jump in feet first and buy eight, ten or twelve fishing rods because they’re going to get “really serious about fishing for catfish” and a few months later they hate them. There are two types of shore fishing anglers. Call 1-877-367-4377 to order! They are strong and powerful but heavier in weight and less sensitive than other styles of fishing rods. This usually occurs in the two-line guides closest to the tip of the fishing rod. The main concern is that they don’t use ceramic inserts and are an all-metal line guide. These statements couldn’t be further from the truth and are only a result of misinformed anglers. Cheaper fishing rods will use line guides with ceramic inserts. Used privately last 10 years and maintained by full time staff. In most situations, a medium (M) or medium-heavy (MH) action will be best for channel catfish, and for blue and flathead catfish a medium-heavy (MH) action is most often preferred. The longer handles on catfish rods also give you the ability to handle the rod in a variety of manners, like tucking the fishing rod under your arm. This is an in depth resource covering everything you ever needed to know about choosing a catfish rod and the features you need (and don’t). Once you use a longer handle and a longer rod for catfish you quickly understand the advantage. You can view the full chart of rod models here. It’s incredibly durable, it never gets slick and it actually provides some texture to the handle of the fishing rod. This means using a rod that is way too long or way too short will work against you and actually hurt your ability to catch fish in many situations. There’s no right or wrong way to go about shore fishing for catfish but I’ll tell you the best and most successful shore fishing anglers that target numbers of fish I know are those that are mobile, on the move actively seeking fish. But this light can damage acrylic, causing it to become yellow and brittle over time. We’ve only included casting rods as they’re the most popular (and we generally don’t suggest spinning gear for catfish). Since anglers couldn’t find suitable mass-manufactured rods they’d build custom rods to get the features they needed. Impressionist & Modern Art Works on Paper Sale New York. These are Ugly Stik GX2 model rods in 7’6 ML and 7’ M models. The other advantage of a longer fishing rod is control over fish. If you plan on fishing in one location though and making long casts to get baits away from the shore take a look at the “euro” style fishing rods as they might just be a good fit for you providing the length, casting distance, strength, and sensitivity you need to fish for catfish from the shore. What you’ll do will depend on many things including where you’re fishing, when you’re fishing, and what species of catfish you are fishing for. The fast action helps soften some of the blow and helps keep baits from flying off during casting. Having some flex in the tip of the fishing rod is also important for the technique as well. • Line guides aid with “feeding” the fishing line off of the rod and assist with smooth and accurate casting. You’ll be much happier in the long run. Spend some time on the water and start fishing and more importantly catching fish. There are other options presented as well but since one of the models is a rod I’ve personally designed and endorsed additional explanation is in order. Most anglers who begin targeting catfish go out to their local bait and tackle shop and but the first fishing rod they can find that says “catfish” somewhere on the rod. Most catfish rods are longer rods, meaning they’re 7’6” or longer and it’s very difficult to find a fishing rod that size that is a one-piece rod. Here are our suggested products for fishing for blues, channels, and flatheads of all sizes. The end goal is to have a set of catfish rods that’s ideal for every catfishing technique and species. Even Ugly Stik is in the process of phasing these ceramic inserts out in their newer GX2 line of fishing rods. Much of this was due to changes in fishing style and really getting a firm understanding of what a fishing rod can and cannot do, along with how to leverage every single aspect of the fishing rod. It’s an old school term that refers to antiquated equipment. This is important to “eyeball” and inspect. A “pole” is made from natural elements such as either cane, reed or bamboo, etc and has the line tied directly to the pole (again think cane pole). Gone are the days of companies producing big heavy gear that’s heavy and lacks sensitivity as catfish anglers are looking for different gear. Fewer line guides or less than 1 per foot of fishing rod will be less sensitive. These can be found at most major retailers on online stores for anywhere from $30 to $40 and are an excellent “no-frills” lighter rod. Every single technique I use for channel catfish involves holding the fishing rod because I target quantity over quality when it comes to channel catfish. With small fish, it won’t matter much but with larger fish, it makes a huge difference. Chances are you’re techniques and fishing style will change and you’ll end up wanting something completely different than what you started with. The advantage of graphite rods is they are much lighter than e-glass and they are much more sensitive. Chad Ferguson Signature Series Rod $69.95, This is the rod I personally designed and developed. Once you’ve done it once it opens your eyes to a new world of fishing. The Whisker Seeker Tackle Chad Ferguson Signature Series rod will do it all. Rod power ranges from ultra-light to heavy. Why Are The Handles So Long On Catfish Rods? I’ve always preferred cork and will always choose a cork handle over foam but have recently shifted my preference to cork composite. Preview 3 – 17 May. This gear is very similar to that used by anglers surf fishing in saltwater and has long been a “go-to” for shore catfish anglers. Fishing rods made from e-glass are very popular with catfish anglers because the material is very strong and durable and the rods hold up well. You can open this list on a new page by clicking here. After years of using a mixture of different rods for different techniques, swapping rods during different seasons, and never really finding anything I was 100% pleased with a catfish rod I finally decided to build my own. For channel catfish with these techniques, a shorter fishing rod with a shorter handle is a great fit and is actually preferred. I’ve always referred to them as “rods” not poles. The handles of catfish rods are very different from the handles on fishing rods traditionally used by anglers for other species of fish. When you have fifty-plus pounds of mean, nasty, and very irritated catfish on the end of your fishing line and try to control it you learn some lessons quickly. I often hear about the guys at Drift Brothers Tackle though I’ve never seen or used their products first hand. You can hire a local rod builder to make one for you, use some of the popular custom catfish rod builders (listed below). Handles of fishing rods are another area I am often questioned about and seem to create a lot of confusion or concern. Doing this you end up with tons of fishing rods and buying gear suited for every application and technique. What you choose will depend on the area you’re fishing, the access you have, and how much effort you’re willing to put in. Some we’ve used, some we haven’t but general feedback is provided on each where we felt we could provide value. One trick that many anglers use is when they buy a new fishing rod with ceramic line guides they apply super glue to the ceramic inserts immediately. In recent years “euro” style fishing rods have made their way into the catfish world and have become readily available due to their popularity among carp anglers. They are very different rods made specific for a spinning reel or a casting reel. 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) goes “in the box”. If the rod doesn’t break when you hit it against something chances are it will break soon after that. More line guides mean smoother, longer, and more accurate casts. Manufacturers do this for a variety of reasons but saving money on packaging, shipping, and storage and then providing a more durable product is one of the major reasons behind two-piece fishing rods in shorter lengths. You can get more information on the Chad Ferguson Signature Series Rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle here. Before you jump into buying a catfish rod I’ll offer a piece of advice. As techniques have evolved in recent years and catfish anglers continue to innovate their approaches there’s been a big shift in the products being released. If you are fishing from a boat you often have the ability to get close or at least closer to your target area. The number of line guides is rarely a concern in a quality fishing rod. This Ugly Stik Rod has been around for years and relatively unchanged, and is one we’ll call an “honorable mention”. This allows you many times to cast shorter distances and eliminates the need for a really long fishing rod. The goal is to help you understand exactly what you need, exactly what you don’t and make an informed decision based on where and how you will be fishing for catfish and what species and size of catfish you will be fishing for. $25. Cork composite is a new material that’s surfaced over the past few years. The handle of the rod was caked in “stink bait” and smelled horrible. The Ultimate Guide To Catfish Reels covers all of the details you need to choose the right reel and use it correctly. Think “workhorse”, strong, powerful, and durable. A fishing “rod” is made out of conventional composite materials such as graphite, fiberglass, carbon fiber or a combination of these materials. To get all of the in-depth information you need on catfish reels to go with your chosen rod check out the Ultimate Guide To Catfish Reels. The bottom line is that you need to understand why the handles are so long on most catfish rods, how the length of the handle impacts your abilities, and make an informed decision when purchasing. Most concerns about “two-piece fishing rods” that I get come from anglers who have made the leap from the “bass” fishing world or some other species of fish. The angler that only targets 1–3 pound channel catfish and holds the fishing rod all day has a very different set of needs from the flathead or blue cat hunter that only targets monster cats and leaves the poles in a rod holder for an extended period of time. Rod and Reel Garage Sale - 11 Rods, 6 Reels. Some of this was due to poor research on my part, some was due to manufacturer defects or deficiencies. Fish Tank w/Stand $100 (Farmington, MO) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Just make sure that you’re getting a quality reel seat that’s going to last, which most quality gear will have. These line guides are also generally very resistant to damage from braided fishing lines. For blue catfish or channel catfish, one might use a similar technique but just as common (and effective) is fishing with the rod in hand and holding the rod for an extended period of time. Catfish Rods: The Ultimate Guide To Catfish Rods. To get more in-depth information on fishing for catfish and get on the fast track to catching fish, check out the Catfish Edge products like Summer Channel Catfish Techniques, Spring Blue Catfish, and Catching Shad to name a few. Channel catfish rods vary greatly based on which size channel catfish you plan to target. Custom catfish rods became people years ago because of the lack of suitable cat models from major fishing tackle retailers. Custom catfish rods are also an option if a stock model doesn’t meet your requirements. The Whisker Seeker Chad Ferguson Signature Series rod. It tells you nothing at all about the rod either. Blue Catfish rods can be broken down into three categories, rods for big trophy blue catfish, those for every day one to ten-pound catfish or what I refer to as “box fish” and then the “do all”. These different species of catfish are very different in many ways, as are the techniques used to catch them. Rod handles are no different. If you prefer catfish nuggets those should work just fine, too! 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 also helps with casting baits like prepared baits or livers. Line guides or “eyes” are something that many anglers don’t pay much attention to. Here’s what I’m looking for when choosing catfish rods: The Ultimate Guide To Catfish Rods covers exactly what you need to know about choosing the right catfish rods. I’m simply not a fan of the look, feel, or function of these handles. I spent a year designing and developing this rod with Whisker Seeker Tackle and criticizing every single component on it to build the “perfect” rod for every technique, species, and size of whiskered fish. I’ve dismissed the paracord rod handles as more of a novelty but know others who love them and use them all the time. Catfish rods usually have much longer handles than those anglers are used to and there are good reasons for this. They take the tip of the fishing rod and hold it away from them and proceed to shake the fishing rod and watch the tip to see what happens. If you’re after numbers, hold the rod when fishing for channel catfish you will catch more fish. The Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle is built from an S-glass composite material. If you are looking for more Air Fryer Catfish check out 17 Air Fryer Recipes You Have to Try or my Air Fryer Salmon and Air Fryer Fish Sticks recipes.. Graphite rods are also generally less “powerful than an e-glass rod. Pulling these large catfish off the bottom or controlling them and keeping them out of drift socks, anchor ropes, timber and everything else they hang up on is much easier with a long fishing rod. I always get a lot of questions and concerns from anglers about two-piece fishing rods. Color and cosmetics are a matter of personal preference. I’ve had e-glass rods doubled over in the shape of a horseshoe over the years and not snap. These rods do a great job covering a lot of water by making long casts but they are heavy and lack sensitivity. For example, if fishing on anchor it’s common, especially in shallower water, for catfish to bite and run at the boat. It depends on what you are fishing for and how you are fishing. Adding a thin layer of super glue where the ceramic insert contacts the metal helps to keep the inserts from falling out or being knocked out. That’s not to say you won’t feel anything with e-glass but there is a significant difference. Even a long limber fishing rod is often better than a shorter fishing rod. Longer fishing rods offer better casting distance and accuracy. Just spend some time handling and fishing with a variety of handle types and see what your personal preference is. Fast action rods will bend mostly in the area around and nearest to the tip. You’ll learn what you need to know about catfish rods and everything you need to consider before you buy something. Many are  big, heavy and poorly built and lack the essentials needed for success catching cats. $33,000. Catfish Rods made simple! The difference is how much easier it will be with a longer fishing rod than a shorter one. The disadvantage of graphite is that they are much less durable, they break easily and can be damaged easily. Most people I know don’t only fish for big fish so they want something that is capable of “doing it all”. What this means for catfish fishing is if you hook into a 50-pound catfish with e-glass you can typically really work the fishing rod and use it to help control the fish and really put pressure on it. Color has never been important to me. Berkley Lightning Rod in 7’ M, this is a graphite rod that’s available through many major retailers for $40. Learn which techniques work best for you and what you like and don’t obsess over the gear and having the exact right rod. Everything you need to know about choosing the right catfish rods for every catfish species and technique. These rods are affordable, durable and are easy on the pocketbook. Before that though let’s take a look at the types of catfish, catfishing techniques and the three types of catfish anglers. Evaluate your options as a shore fisherman and make a decision on what your approach will be and what size fish you’ll target. Custom Catfish Rods. It’s not that these heavier “beefier” fishing rods are not capable of landing small fish because they certainly are but take all of the fun out of it in my opinion and also make many of the techniques uncomfortable. If you’re hunting larger channel catfish or think you’ll have a chance at catching larger channels on a frequent basis then you’ll need gear that’s similar to that used for blues and flatheads, so keep reading. Remember that with a shorter length rod you will lose casting distance and accuracy. Outside of this constant casting and working the fishing rod is not a standard technique you’ll use. If you are holding a graphite fishing rod and a catfish is “nibbling” on the bait you’ll feel everything. Whether you plan to target blues, channels or flatheads get out and start catching fish and getting the “lay of the land” so to speak. If you plan on purchasing something I won’t by any means suggest you go out and buy spinning gear for catfish. Finding a balance between the lighter weight plus increased sensitivity and the strong backbone and ability to winch in monster cats when needed is a perfect balance and what I call the “perfect catfish rod”. Many of these manufacturers have similar models available in spinning gear. A long handle gives you more leverage with larger catfish: • To hold the fishing rod and control the fish in all situations • To bring catfish up off the bottom and manage them when reeling them in and landing them. ... Sale. This still will not completely fix the issue though and the best option is to avoid rods that use these inserts of possible. Take bass fishing, for example, a ten-pound fish is a big fish and not something people catch on a regular basis. Rod tips or the last part of the fishing rod nearest the “business end” on catfish rods are typically bright colored so they stand out against their background and you can see any movement of the tip. I’ve used the rod for everything from finesse fishing for Channel Catfish with the Secret Catfish Rig to catching shallow water Blue Catfish in the Spring to hoisting in trophy blues and flatheads from deep and shallow water. It’s something that makes me chuckle and has for years, I don’t want you to be one of these people. Now that you know everything there is to know about catfish rods and what makes a good rod let’s get to the straight scoop on choosing a catfish rod. A fast or moderate action fishing rod is going to be preferred for most catfishing applications with a moderate fast action being most popular among catfish anglers using circle hooks. 0 bids. They are sensitive enough to feel catfish biting when fishing for smaller catfish and strong enough to horse in and land a larger catfish when you hook one. Cork handles work well but there are a few issues with them that may cause you to stay away from them. There are still advantages to a longer rod so you’ll want to ultimately use a catfish rod that is at least 7 feet long. Successful shore fishing from one location usually involves making long casts to get baits far from the shore and is done through using longer fishing rods, often as long as twelve-foot. Fish Tank w/Stand $100 (Farmington, MO) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. If you plan to fish solely for a smaller one to three-pound channel catfish and never intend to catch anything larger then the rod might be heavier than needed for some anglers. For those looking for a good general-purpose catfish rod capable of doing everything they need, this is an excellent fit. You may have limited options based on the rod length and other features you prefer. For some reason I constantly field questions from people asking if a casting reel can go on a spinning rod. As you continue to read and follow along I’ll make a few references to spinning gear but they’ll be centered around why you shouldn’t use it. $500. Again, these suggestions are only based on products we have used and tested. A long rod with a medium or moderate action 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 angler’s ability and understanding of how to properly land a large fish. I’ve done it for years and it’s actually a really fun way to catch channel cats but selecting a cane pole is pretty self explanatory. As covered in the other features of rods, there’s potential for a lot of abuse if you’ll be fishing for big catfish. There’s nothing “special” about any of these rods they’re just quality built rods with the right length, action, and power that have worked well for us. Appearance, color, or any cosmetic features should always come last when choosing catfish rods. $144.98. There’s really nothing that impacts your ability to catch fish other than being able to see the fishing rod and any movement in the rod. These are the line guides you will see on most fishing rods today. We loved the CAL1100 Ugly Stik rod but it was phased out with the release of the GX2 series rods and these are the closest match (though not an exact match). !, Metal Buildings, Carport, RV Carports $0 pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. These are rods commonly marketed towards catfish anglers and usually made of e-glass (fiberglass) because of the strength and durability. Rather than wasting money on buying the wrong gear, you can use my experience as a guide. Buy a bait cast reel, learn to use it, pair it with a bait cast rod and move on with your fishing. A moderate fast action rod is a great balance between being able to finesse fish and catch smaller fish, having a catfish rod that works well with circle hooks, and still having the ability to horse in trophy catfish. There are a couple of critical terms to understand about fishing rods, power, and action. Dropping a minnow off the side of the shore or a boat and pulling in perch is very different than the techniques an experienced catfish angler will use and the length of the fishing rod impacts these techniques. These are fishing rods that are going to take some abuse. Cork is also very porous, much more than foam and it has a tendency to get slime and other elements caked down in these pores. Today however hardcore catters are finding that those old school rods are no longer a good fit.