The Greatest Catfish Rod and Reel Combos of 2024, Examined

Nothing in freshwater stresses a rod and reel like a hard-charging catfish. If these fish aren’t making your drag scream, odds are they’re pushing the pole’s spine to the restrict. Luckily, many fashionable catfish combos are as much as the problem. These rods and reels are a superb solution to get began with catfishing as a result of they take the guesswork out of the equation. With that in thoughts, listed below are among the greatest catfish rod and reel combos that I’ve examined.

How I Examined the Greatest Catfish Rod and Reel Combos

I’ve fished for catfish for years, so I already had a good suggestion of what course I’d take with my picks. Nevertheless, I’ve additionally been swamped testing rods and reels this spring. It was straightforward so as to add some catfish rod and reel combos to the combo. I spent dozens of hours fishing, evaluating every combo’s drag techniques, smoothness, and spine. Moreover, I famous how straightforward it was to spool every reel and the casting distance from every. I made certain to incorporate solely combos that I’ve personally examined on this checklist. Extra components that had been thought-about in making selections included:

• Value: Most catfishing eventualities don’t require tremendous costly gear. I didn’t wish to fill the checklist solely with dear combos. So, I checked out quite a lot of value factors. 
• Ergonomics: I’m a stickler in regards to the consolation of the reel handles and the rod deal with. 
• Sturdiness: I pressured every rod to find out its spine and punctiliously inspected every for any manufacturing defects or weak factors. 

Greatest Catfish Combos: Opinions and Suggestions 

Greatest General: Zebco Huge Cat Spinning Combo

Key Options Rod

• Energy: Medium heavy
• Motion:  Reasonable quick
• Size: 7 toes 
• Materials: Fiberglass

Key Options Reel

• Measurement: 60
• Gear Ratio: 5.0:1
• Max Drag: 16 Kilos
• Bearings: 1

Professionals

• Tremendous rugged
• Yellow tip is straightforward to see at evening
• Greatest for giant fish

Cons

• Heavy
• Reel shouldn’t be very easy

The Zebco Huge Cat is a superb steadiness of affordability and performance. The fiberglass development has a stiffer spine than the opposite rods I examined, so it’s going to deal with cats of just about any measurement. I like the sturdiness of this setup, particularly the stainless-steel guides. Zebco gave half the rod a high-visibility yellow coloration, making it simpler to see when fishing at evening. I examined the smallest measurement of this rod. Nevertheless, Zebco additionally provides eight and nine-foot variants, together with a heavy energy for the most important cats. 

The massive, measurement 60 reel will deal with some huge cats however solely has one bearing. Consequently, it’s not as easy as I normally like with my reels. Nevertheless, it’s an appropriate trade-off because it’s not a reel with which I will probably be working a lure anyway. I purchased this catfish rod and reel combo for $55, and the value level is similar whatever the measurement. It is a nice possibility for anybody desirous to get into catfishing who isn’t sure what they’ll catch. When you do get stunned by a 20-plus-pound fish, this rod will deal with it. 

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Greatest Worth: Ugly Stik Catch Ugly Fish Spinning Combo

Key Options Rod

• Energy: Medium heavy
• Motion:  Reasonable quick
• Size: 7 toes
• Materials: Graphite and Fiberglass

Key Options Reel

• Measurement: 50
• Gear Ratio: 4.9:1
• Max Drag: 16 Kilos
• Bearings: 1

Professionals

• Ugly Stik power
• Good sensitivity 
• Bonus deal with

Cons

• Reel is first rate, not nice

The primary worth of this combo is the graphite and fiberglass Ugly Stik GX2 rod. In my testing, it supplied a pleasant compromise between sensitivity and sturdiness. I particularly just like the stainless-steel guides, which really feel darn close to bulletproof. This rod has a spine, however not a lot that it dilutes the enjoyable of preventing small — and medium-sized cats. It’s additionally only a nice-looking rod. Pure Fishing determined to pair this one with a measurement 50 Shakespeare reel. I do know Shakespeare doesn’t have the rosiest of reputations lately. Nevertheless, I believe this reel is ok for this rod. It’s not nice, nevertheless it’s loads useful for the informal cat angler. One space Shakespeare’s reels normally shine is in casting distance, and this one delivered in my exams. I may bomb baits out a lot farther than the others on this checklist. 

Included with this combo was a bonus field of catfish deal with. Usually, these sorts of kits are full of junk. Nevertheless, this package is first rate. I applaud Pure Fishing for together with Berkley Fusion19 circle hooks, as they’re top-notch. The assortment of sinkers and break up photographs is sparse however sufficient to get somebody began on cats. I’d decide up some extras earlier than heading out, simply in case. I didn’t catch something on the PowerBait catfish chunks, however I do know others have had good luck with them. General, this catfish rod and reel combo and package have good worth for anybody simply beginning with catfish. 

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Greatest Premium: Shimano Spheros SW

Key Options Rod

• Energy: Medium heavy
• Motion:  Reasonable quick
• Size: 7 toes
• Materials: Graphite Composite

Key Options Reel

• Measurement: 5000
• Gear Ratio: 6.0:1
• Max Drag: 20 Kilos
• Bearings: 4+1

Professionals

• Very easy
• Nice handles
• Rugged development 

Cons

I’m going a bit exterior the field with this decide. Anybody conversant in Shimano will acknowledge that this can be a saltwater combo. Nevertheless, whereas testing it for an additional article, I spotted it will be a superb catfish combo. Something that may deal with inshore species is loads able to dealing with freshwater cats. A lot of the worth right here is within the reel itself. The physique is probably the most rugged of all of the catfish rod and reel combos I examined. I like the big, ergonomic reel deal with. It’s straightforward to carry when cranking a big fish out of the depths. The Spheros additionally has a easy drag sealed from water. It would sluggish these hard-charging cats considerably. Sensitivity and power are good with the graphite composite rod. This rod has a bit of extra flex than I anticipated, making the struggle extra enjoyable. I just like the ergonomics of the cork handles, too. 

From a worth perspective, the reel accounts for $130 to $150 of the entire worth, relying on the scale chosen. Some anglers would possibly wish to exchange the rod later, however I believe it’s one of many better-matched combos of those I examined. It is a good selection for anybody wanting versatility because it’s additionally constructed for the salt. 

Greatest for Eater-Sized Catfish: Penn Fierce IV LE

Key Options Rod

• Energy: Medium gentle
• Motion:  Quick
• Size: 7 toes 
• Materials: Graphite composite

Key Options Reel

• Measurement: 3000
• Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Max Drag: 15 kilos
• Bearings: 5

Professionals

• Offered ergonomics
• Nice handles
• Rugged development 

Cons

Anglers concentrating on eating-size cats within the two-to-five-pound vary don’t want a particularly heavy outfit. The Fierce IV LE is one other saltwater rod focused principally for inshore anglers. I examined the 3000-size reel, which is ideal right here. I liked the way in which this one casts and retrieves. It has a easy carbon fiber drag, too. The reel has a metallic physique that may face up to the additional abuse of catfishing. One other good characteristic is the big deal with, which is straightforward to grip if a bigger cat will get on the road. My solely actual criticism is that the metallic development makes this reel barely heavier than I’d like. I discovered myself getting drained quicker utilizing it. 

Nevertheless, this rod is healthier paired with this reel than the others I examined. The rod’s spine gained’t horse fish in, and it’ll make the angler work for it. The sensitivity is nice for a graphite composite setup. Penn’s stainless-steel guides are stable. I used to be capable of launch some lengthy casts with this one. This isn’t the most affordable setup, nevertheless it’s probably the most full ready-made spinning combo I’ve examined these days. 

Catfish Rods and Reels Not Offered as Combos

Shopping for a catfish rod and reel combo is the quickest and easiest method to economize when getting began. Nevertheless, most skilled anglers like to purchase the rod and reel individually. With that in thoughts, I examined one other rod and reel that I assumed paired completely.  

Ugly Stik Catfish Carbon Spinning Rod and Pflueger President 40

Key Options Rod

• Energy: Medium heavy
• Motion:  Quick
• Size: 7 toes 6 inches
• Materials: Graphite

Key Options Reel

• Measurement: 40
• Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
• Max Drag: 14 kilos
• Bearings: 10

Professionals

• Extraordinarily delicate rod
• Tremendous easy reel
• Glorious ergonomics

Cons

• Colours don’t match
• Costly

The graphite clean of the Ugly Stik Carbon Catfish does a superb job of indicating lighter bites. I like the ergonomics of this deal with. The highest half has a rubberized texture that I discovered extremely straightforward to grip. This rod additionally has that legendary Ugly Stik toughness and sturdiness. The spine is great for bigger fish with out making the struggle too straightforward. Whereas the rod is nice, the reel is perhaps even higher. The Plueger President is a extremely underrated reel in fishing circles, and I’m actually all the time stunned it’s no more well-liked. It has ten bearings, which makes it extremely satisfying and easy to retrieve. This reel completely enhances the Ugly Stik. 

I like this mix a lot that it was laborious to seek out something incorrect with it apart from the colour schemes clashing. Though I doubt anybody’s fishing buddies will chortle once they see how this outfit performs within the subject. Shopping for these two collectively will set anglers again about $160, however I believe it’s price it for the unimaginable efficiency. 

How one can Select a Catfish Rod and Reel Combo

Many seasoned catfish anglers select their outfits based mostly totally on the scale and subspecies of the focused fish. This can fluctuate relying on the area of the nation. I’ve solely acquired flatheads and channel cats to focus on right here in Michigan. It is not sensible for me to run a rod and reel meant for 100-pound blue cats. 

One other key factor to know is that the majority combos are disparate between the reel and the rod. One is normally higher high quality than the opposite. If that’s recognized entering into, it’s not a giant deal. I desire shopping for combos, even when I swap the rod or reel later. Which means I’ve a reasonable backup rod or reel if one thing goes incorrect with the principle one. 

Line

Many combos come pre-spooled with a line already. Whereas I examined a few of these combos with the included line, I didn’t make that a significant component as a result of there isn’t a approach of realizing how lengthy a combo has sat on the shelf with that line. 

It’s straightforward for a line to degrade or construct up reminiscence over time. That’s why I all the time exchange the road with a brand new catfish rod and reel combo. Doing so will help anglers keep away from the damaged coronary heart of a misplaced fish and the complications of coping with tangles. 

Rod Energy 

Medium-heavy is arguably the preferred rod energy for many catfishing eventualities as a result of circle hooks are steadily used for catfish and so they do an ideal job turning the hook into the fish’s mouth. In addition they can throw the commonest weight baits used for cat fishing. 

Nevertheless, a medium rod is ok for anglers concentrating on eating-size cats within the 2- to 10-pound vary. Heavier powers are very important when concentrating on big cats over 50 kilos or extra. 

Reel Sizes

Most anglers use a 30 to 50-size reel for catfish. Some anglers desire a measurement 60. That measurement is healthier when anticipating cats over 60 kilos. Whereas the bigger reels will make preventing big cats simpler, there’s a tradeoff. Going with an even bigger rod and reel makes it too straightforward to horse within the smaller fish. A part of the enjoyable of fishing for catfish is the struggle, so it’s not all the time essential to go large. I’ve caught many channel cats within the two-to-ten-pound vary on bass fishing setups. These cats weren’t giants, however they felt prefer it with that gear.  

Gear Ratios

Luckily, a quick gear ratio isn’t tremendous essential for catfishing. A slower ratio is normally preferable for cranking on huge cats. The rod’s spine will do many of the preventing. Whereas these fish will typically take a man-made lure, most anglers don’t goal them that approach. Thus, a quick retrieval isn’t needed. There are exceptions for conditions round heavy construction, however most catfish combos have a ratio between 4.9:1 and 6.1:1. 

FAQs

Remaining Ideas on Catfish Rod and Reel Combos 

Selecting up top-of-the-line catfish rod and reel combos is a stable solution to begin concentrating on these hard-fighting fish. Whereas most anglers consider catfish rods as specialised gear, there’s actual versatility right here. These combos may also work for non-traditional fishing targets like gar and carp. The Zebco Huge Cat spinning combo was a straightforward selection for having the very best spine for catfish of practically any measurement. We additionally love the reasonably priced value level, which is far simpler to swallow on this financial system.