Best Catfish Rods For The Money – Buyer’s Guide Review
Do you want to return from fishing with a big catfish catch? For this, you need a special fishing rod for catching catfish. It isn’t an easy task to catch such a fish. They fight to the last and if you to win you need the right equipment. It is quite difficult to choose a catfish rod at least because there are a huge number of them on the market.
So I decided to write this article where I collected the best fishing rods for catfish in my opinion. These rods are different from the usual ones. This is evident in their power, length, and material. To learn more about this, read my review!
What Is a Catfish Rod?
I’m sure you know that there are different types of fishing rods. The most famous of them are spinning and casting. What kind of rod do you use for catfish? The fishing rod for catfish can be either a spinning rod or a casting rod. Since catfish is a strong fish, the fishing rod, in turn, must also be durable so that you can pull this fish out.
My best choice is Shakespeare Wild Cat Spinning Fishing Rod:
- It’s a key feature.
- Durable construction.
- It’s lightweight. It’s not hard to hold it in your hands for a long time.
- The fishing rod has a quick action. You feel the fish on the line when you set the hook.
- Good price for such quality.
1# Shakespeare Wild Cat Spinning/Spincast Fishing Rod – Best Lightweight Catfish Rod
If you want to catch a large catfish, then you can’t do it without this fishing rod. When you are looking for a catfish fishing rod, you should first pay attention to its strength. If you don’t take this into account, then the probability that you will buy a bad fishing rod is high. Why is this so important? Catfish fish is large enough and you will have to fight with it to cook it as a dinner. Shakespeare Wild Cat Spinning is the kind of thing that can really be called a strong fishing rod. The rod itself is light, weighing 10.4 ounces. Therefore, your hands won’t get tired while fishing. It has a quick action, so you will feel the fish on the line while setting the hook. Its guides are made of stainless steel and eliminate popping up. Well, with all this, this fishing rod has an affordable price.
2# KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods – Best Affordable Catfish Rod
How can I briefly describe this fishing rod? I would say light and strong. As I already said, this is an important factor when choosing a fishing rod for catfish. The fishing rod consists of two parts. But this is the rare case when they feel as a whole. It has smooth power. It moves smoothly around the rod. The manufacturer uses high-quality materials for components. For example, high-density Eva handles. This rod is quite sensitive; I like it very much.
3# Eagle Claw Catclaw Casting Rod 8′ Length- Best Fiberglass Fishing Pole
Eagle Claw Catclaw is a casting rod. I just want to draw your attention to the fact that it can only be used with a casting reel. Spinning won’t work with this pole. The fishing rod is light and easy to hold. It is made of fiberglass, strong enough. You will be pleasantly surprised by the price for such quality. When you go fishing with it, you will have the idea that for such a rod you could give a great price. With this fishing rod, you will catch a big catfish for your dinner!
4# Ugly Stik Catfish Casting Fishing Rod- Best Eight-Foot Fishing Rod
I know that this rod is quite well known among anglers and they like to use it for catching catfish. If you are just starting to fish, I would advise you to pay attention to this model. It’s an eight-foot rod. It consists of two parts. And the price of such a fishing rod is very good. Usually, these rods are more expensive. It won’t break under the pressure of a big fish. Thanks to the length of the fishing rod, you can make long-distance throws. You will control the accuracy. It has medium-heavy power. This is what you need to pull the catfish.
5# Championship Catfishing Rod- Best Medium Weight Rod
The rod consists of two parts and is made of fiberglass. It is of medium weight. And made so that the catfish doesn’t have a chance. The guides resist the abrasion of braided lines as they are made of stainless steel and have a low profile. You will see bites at any time of the day thanks to the high visibility of the fluorescent tip. The rod has a medium-fast action. This fishing rod is able to do what many don’t!
6# Berkley Big Game Spinning Fishing Rod- Best Catfish Spinning Rod
This fishing rod is for a spinning reel. It consists of two parts, eight-pound in length. This fishing rod designed for catching catfish and has quick action. You will find this fishing rod strong but at the same time light and practical. You can also catch a small fish. The fishing rod is sensitive to small fish. But at the same time stiff to the big ones. Great for surfing shark fishing. And the price will surprise you!
7# Abu Garcia Catfish Commando Fishing Rod And Reel Combo- Best Catfish Pole and Reel Combo
What is the best rod and reel combo? This reel and fishing rod were specially designed so that you can catch a big catfish. The fishing rod consists of 2 parts. Smooth resistance occurs due to the carbon matrix resistance system. To make the casting accurate, there is a 4-pin centrifugal brake. There is constant pressure. The rod is strong. The reel has two stainless steel bearings. She has a clicker for bait. What do you think about this catfish pole?
8# LurEra Catfish Casting Rod 2 Pieces Portable – Best Heavy Catfishing Rod
Want to catch a big catfish for lunch? With this fishing rod, you will succeed. This fishing rod has a backbone that will help you cope with the catfish that will fight. It has a heavy effect. You will be able to cast far away. And the best part is that it’s not very long. This will allow you to throw in hard-to-reach places. It is quite flexible. So you can throw even lightweight. There is a comfortable handle that is the color of Eva’s camouflage. The line will be protected by the fact that the guides are made of stainless steel with a ceramic insert. This also reduces friction. The device runs on fiber. It is durable and sensitive.
9# Okuma Record Chaser Signature Series Catfish Rod – Best Long-Distance Rod
We have already come to the latest model of catfish fishing rods. And it is no less durable than the previous ones. The power of this rod is heavy. You will find its action medium-fast. It consists of two parts and is capable of making long-distance throws. This fishing rod is ideal for catching large fish such as catfish. The weight of the fishing line is 20-40 pounds. I advise you to look closely at this fishing rod!
FAQ About Catfish Rod
Conclusion
I know that you have to make a difficult choice. Choosing equipment for fishing is always difficult. You need to study a lot of information before making a purchase. This article was written to help you. I chose 9 fishing rods for catfish that you can really buy and not regret. But most of all, I would recommend Shakespeare WildCat Spinning.
With this fishing rod, you will definitely have a good relationship and your fishing will be pleasant and productive. If you still have doubts about the choice, then read the article again. If you still have questions, write them in the comments and I will be happy to answer them. I answered frequently asked questions below. Perhaps there is an answer to your question.
Tags: #best catfish rods / #cat fishing / #best catfish rods and reels / #best rods for catfish / #best angle for catfish rods when drifting / #big catfish
I live in Tenerife (Canary Islands) for the last 10+ years and share my daily fishing experiences on my website. Many years of personal experience as a fisherman and the vast experience of my friends allow me to write professionally on any fishing topics (from choosing a flashlight and equipment to deep-sea fishing).
All of my advice is based on practical real-world experience and will be useful to both novice anglers and professionals. Read more about the author.
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I recently came across an awesome rod and reel setup that I just had to share with you all. The Big Game rod paired with an Okuma Avenger bait runner reel is an absolute game changer on the water. This setup is not only affordable (costing around $100 in my area), but it also performs incredibly well.
While the Tiger rod may be tempting due to its lower price point, I can personally attest that the Big Game outperforms it in both casting distance and overall performance. And let’s not forget about the Okuma Avenger baitrunner reel – while it may be a bit more expensive at $65 for the 6000 sizes, it is well worth the investment.
This reel allows you to set the running drag and wait for a bite, making it much easier to reel in your catch once you’ve got a bite. If the Okuma reel is out of your price range, the Shimano Sienna is a solid alternative at a lower cost. Just keep in mind that it lacks the live line or bait runner feature.
Now, let’s talk about flatheads. Contrary to what some may think, it’s not just about depth when it comes to finding these elusive fish. Flatheads often feed in shallower water, so it’s important to focus on finding riffles or swift water near a deep hole. Another great spot to try is the outside bends with the brush.
I wanted to share my thoughts on catfish rods and reels with you all. To be honest, I’ve had great luck with some cheap Diawa combo rods I picked up on clearance at Kmart years ago. They’ve held up incredibly well and I’m still using them to this day.
If you’re looking to increase your casting distance, I highly recommend trying a braided line. Personally, I’m a fan of the Power Pro brand.
I recently took a look at the Tiger spinning reel rod and noticed that it only comes in a medium weight, not medium heavy or heavy. I was really hoping for a heavy option so that the rod could handle bigger fish.
I’ll have to double-check in the store, but if it doesn’t come in a heavyweight, I might have to go with the Big Game rod instead. Regardless of which rod I choose, I plan on using the braided line with it. Currently, I’m using 17lb mono and it’s just not cutting it – my casting distance is terrible and there are not many lines left on the spool after each cast.
I wanted to share my go-to setup for catching catfish. I really like the Ugly Stick Sturdy Sticks in both the 5’6″ and 6’6″ lengths, which I believe are medium action. These rods were inexpensive when I first purchased them for $20, but have held up surprisingly well over the years.
As for reels, I prefer using the old Penn 704z reels with a bail delete mod and 55lb braid. While these reels used to be relatively cheap, I recently checked and saw that the price has gone up significantly. However, they really do kick ass and are worth the investment if you can swing it.
When it comes to bait, I typically run a Carolina rig with live bluegill for flatheads or raw shrimp for channels. This setup has proven to be quite effective for me in the past.
I just wanted to share my experience with the Pro Cat rods from Academy. These rods are inexpensive and surprisingly strong. I actually bought a push-button Pro Cat rod for my girlfriend to come fishing with me and I’ve been loving using it myself. It’s so simple to use and I’ve caught hundreds of catfish with it. I have it spooled with a 20-pound green catfish line, which has been working really well for me.
In addition to the push-button option, they also make a spinning combo that’s of really good quality. While I do have many spinning and conventional combos of varying quality, I find that any rod will do well as long as you get it at a good price and pair it with a decent line.
I wanted to share my thoughts on the BnM Silver Cat rods. Personally, I’m a big fan of these rods, especially the 8ft casting model which I use for striper and saltwater pier fishing. While there’s nothing wrong with the Ugly Stik rods, I do think that the BnM Silver Cat rods are a step above them in terms of quality and performance.
I’ve used my BnM Silver Cat rod to catch catfish in the teens and I wouldn’t hesitate to go after fish in the high 20s to low 30s with it. It’s a great rod that’s perfect for targeting eating fish. I also have the Elite model which I’ve used to catch 40+ lb fish, and it’s held up really well.
One thing to note about the Silver Cat rod is that the handle can be quite thick, especially on the spinning version. This can make the reel look small in comparison. However, I do have one with a full handle instead of a split handle and I don’t find the thickness to be an issue. I’m not sure if the thickness is different on the split handle version, but it’s something to keep in mind when selecting a rod.
In my experience, a medium-heavy fiberglass rod with a high enough lure rating is the way to go for catfishing. Personally, I use a rod rated for 1-4 ounces that I picked up for around 35 dollars US. As for the reel, while the one I currently use is okay, a baserunner would be a better option. You can usually find them for around 50-60 US dollars.
I’m definitely lucky to have blue cats in my area, they’re one of my favorite fish to target! For those just starting out, the heavier Ugly Stik lineup is a great choice. Pair it with some 50-80lb braid, some big circle hooks, 4-6oz weights, swivels, and maybe some 40-50lb mono for leaders. A good stout pole holder with a long post to stick in the shore is also important.
For bait, I recommend fresh-cut bait. You can find a lot of it at Walmart or if you have a Cabela’s nearby, they have some great options. Cabela’s also has some nice starter heavy action pole setups at a lower price point, so you can expect to spend around $100-120 total for each pole setup. Good luck and happy fishing!
I completely agree with the advice given so far, especially if you’re just starting out with catfishing. It’s easy to get caught up in the marketing and think you need expensive, specialized gear to catch catfish, but that’s simply not the case.
Start with more affordable gear and see how you like it. Once you’ve gained some experience, you can always invest in higher-end gear later. If you’re looking for a great setup, I recommend an Abu Garcia Ambassador 6500C3 paired with a 50# braid and a rod that can handle casting 3 to 6 ounces or more of weight.
The James River has strong currents, so it’s important to have a rod that can handle casting heavier weights to keep your bait in place. Remember to choose a rod based on the weight you’ll need to cast, not necessarily the size of fish you’re hoping to catch.
Bass Pro’s CatMaxx baitcast rod is a great option for those who are looking for a decent rod at an affordable price. I personally own one and it has held up well over time. In terms of reels, I recommend the KastKing Rover v60-80, which is a budget-friendly option compared to the Abu Garcia reels. You can easily purchase these reels from Amazon or other outlets.
If you are just starting out with catfishing, I would suggest using what you already have before investing in new gear. However, if you do decide to purchase new equipment, investing in a good-sized net can be a smart choice for maximizing your catch.
For a dedicated catfishing setup, I would recommend the Luke Nichols/Cats and Carp Whisker Seeker rod. It’s a great option for those who want a rod specifically designed for catfishing. Keep in mind that you should choose a rod that is suitable for the weight you will be casting rather than the size of the fish you expect to catch.
It’s great to see people sharing their knowledge and experience with catfishing gear. If you’re looking for an inexpensive setup, Walmart has some great options.
The Ugly Stik cat rod is a solid choice and paired with any reel that can hold enough line, you’ll be good to go. While you can use your current gear, keep in mind that it may not be suitable for tossing heavier weights. If you’re targeting smaller cats, any medium action rod and reel should suffice.
For those who are after big river cats, Walmart offers a 7′ tiger spinning combo for under $20. It’s a great option for those on a tight budget, and it’s durable enough to last for years. Remember, you don’t always need to invest in expensive “catfish rods” to catch catfish. With a little research, you can find affordable options that will get the job done.
I prefer using Spiderwire braid as my main line when catfishing. I do add a small layer of mono for backing, but I find that the braid is much stronger and allows me to fit more lines on my reel. Plus, I’ve never been a big fan of mono and it can be a little frustrating to use.
With braid, I also have the added benefit of being able to save my line if I get hung up on something. I wrap the line around a smooth stick several times and walk back, which causes the line to snap off at the leader. This way, I can retrieve most of my line and minimize waste.
I highly recommend the Whisker Seeker Catfish Carp model for a light catfish spinning setup. It’s very sensitive and can handle up to 2 oz lead, and even big fish like sturgeon. However, it’s not suitable for heavy currents.
For a rod that can handle big flatheads, heavier current, and throw up to 6 oz of lead, while still being sensitive enough for small channel catfish, I suggest the Whisker Seeker FMJ model. I personally love sensitive cat rods because I get a lot of channel cats where I fish, and their customer service is top-notch.
If you prefer not to order online, Bass Pro’s CatMaxx brand is also a great choice for the price. I recommend using a 4000-size reel as a minimum for a dedicated catfish spinning reel. As for line, 20 lb mono is perfectly fine if that’s what you prefer.
I understand the importance of having the right catfish rod for a successful day on the water. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect catfish rod for years and finally found it in the Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rods from Whisker Seeker Tackle.
These rods were designed with one goal in mind: to create the perfect catfish rod for every angler. The Medium Heavy action rod is perfect for a variety of catfishing techniques and situations, from catching big cats to finesse fishing for smaller ones. The proprietary blank construction is made of S-Glass and carbon graphite composite, providing the strength benefits of glass and the lightness and sensitivity of graphite and carbon.
One of the features that set these rods apart is the high visibility rod tip, which shines like a laser against the water, allowing you to see every bit of activity when a catfish bites. The revolutionary composite blank has a strong backbone for winching in monsters and a sensitive tip for circle hooks or detecting lighter bites.
The 7’6” rod length provides the ideal balance between leverage over big cats, casting distance, and versatility for a variety of techniques. The full SS 1-piece guides (10 on Casting and 8 on Spinning models) ensure super smooth long-distance casting and long-term durability with monofilament or braided fishing line. The heavily reinforced double-locking aluminum reel seats lock and hold without backing off or walking and are built for long-term abuse.
The cork composite handles provide the look and feel of cork but offer a no-slip grip and durability like no other. Catfish slime and shad scales wipe right off, and it doesn’t weather and break down like a cork. The extra-long handle and foregrip are perfect for controlling big cats, bottom bounce sinkers, or finesse fishing. Tuck it under your arm and lay down on a big cat and you’ll feel the difference.
These rods are light enough to hold all day and strong enough to lay the smackdown on a monster cat. The large SS hook tender is there when needed, and the industry-leading “Trophy Tuff” warranty exceeds all other catfish rod warranties because we’ve built a product we’re confident in.
If you’re serious about catfishing, you owe it to yourself to try the Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rods. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Download our complete Whisker Seeker Tackle catfishing rod buyers guide HERE and get started on your journey to catching more and bigger cats.