newmanme

It's been over a year and I am still having issues finding the right rods for catfishing. I am baffled with all the different Bass rods out there, that catfishing is so neglected. Yes, there are rods out there like from Whisker Seekers, but all these freshwater cat rods are stainless steel parts. I live in Florida, whether I fish fresh or salt, I am always exposed to salt in the air. Stainless steel does not rust, but it corrodes and looks terrible after a while. Oh, I use spinning gear. Not paying $1000 for a finesse bait caster when I have $60 spinners that do it better and never a bird's nest. The problem is that for some reason beyond me, all spinning rods are lighter than bait casters rods. I just bought 4 ea. Daiwa Fuego C4000D-C reels. 26 lb drag, make great reals for 20 to 30 lb braid catfishing. But, finding a matching spinning rod with a line rating of 10-40 lb is next to impossible. Then when I do find a possibility it is some dang yuppy neon color you can see a mile away, you glow in the dark, and then they still have stainless guides and such. While a lot of cats are going to under 5 to 10 lb. I want my gear ready to handle a trophy if ever needed to be. I want reasonably quality gear. My Dobsyn Maverick Panfish rods are awesome, but nothing close to 20lb or higher line ratings. I have found a lot of rods I like, but nothing in the correct range of 10-40lb (I like to use 20 & 30 lb braid), 1 to 6oz lure or live bait, Medium Heavy to heavy, moderate to fast, 7' to 8', black, to black & red, must have better than stainless parts. I was told once before that I need to look at inshore spinning rods. Still not finding anything there either. I know they say color does not matter, but it does to me. I have four Shimano Vanfords, and four Daiwa Fuegos, that I just can't find rods for. Please don't send me a picture of a $400 Shimano Poison Adrena where the max line is 6-12lb. It matches the reels, but I need four of them and I am not paying over $120 ea. I am so tired of looking for rods that I am asking for any ideas here.

5' Bass Rods and bottom fishing not possible So I discovered why I do not hear any techniques related to bottom fishing. The drop shot! That sounds so cool doesn't it? I was dropshotting 50 years ago! Only it was called bottom fishing! This is just like the "Super Bomb" storms we get now. Change the name to make it sound cool? All you needed was a sinker, hook, bait and it was a cheap way to rig. And it caught just about every species in my river. But I guess it is not COOL to call it bottom fishing Next, for everyone that does not seem to understand why I am looking for stiffer rods, it is because the original bass rods were 5' Heavy Moderate (fiberglass) rods in the 60's and ear;ly 70's. They did not start increasing the rod lengths for bass fishing until the end of the 70's. OH YES! LOOK IT UP! I am signing off for now, this thread had a lot of good people chime in, good ideas all of which I very much appreciated. I never expected to find a million different changes to freshwater fishing gear since I was a kid. To be honest, all this new hyped up gear really takes away the fun and relaxation of the sport. AND - I'm still trying to find that FRESHWATER HEAVY SPINNING ROD after months of frustration.

For freshwater, if I throw Live Shiners where I like to fish, that will attract Largemouth, Striper, and Catfish. If I throw minnows that will attract Bass, Crappie and other panfish. It it is not a free for all when I fish I have to travel an hour and 10 min to get to my freshwater fishing spot. I am prepared to fish for what is biting. The first time I traveled to this location all I took was worms thinking there was a bait shack nearby. No bait shack, no bites and a long empty handed journey back home. One day the Crappie are biting, the next Bass, then the Tilapia, and the next catfish. I go fishing for the relaxing enjoyment, and my day isn't ruined if one species isn't biting If you read some of my other posts you would note my frustrations on the lack of fresh water access here in Florida for boatless anglers. Coming from someone who grew up 50 yards from a major river, it is disgusting to see the privation of all the great fishing waters. I have decided to move to inshore rods, as freshwater spinning rods (under $200) are either too flimsy or way too expensive. I'll pay $300 for a salt rod I can use in fresh and salt water because the the gear will outlast a freshwater rod 10 to 1. Better reel seats, salt and corrosion resistance, more backbone, better guides, better all around for an inshore and catfish angler. It is just a matter of frustration that the freshwater fishing gear is almost exclusively for Bass and I have to buy a salt rod for freshwater catfish. There are a couple small niches for Crappie and a few other sport species, but a very small collection of items compared to Bass. I am now looking into custom rods, but even there the lack of heavy (spinning) rods is amazing..................

Thanks, The inshore rods I think will suit my needs. I have found a few Heavy Rods in freshwater, but the prices are a bit high and the colors do not come close to matching the Vanfords. It will be a journey finding the right rods, but thank goodness I only go through getting new gear once every 10 or so years.

Freshwater: Minnows, Shiners, worms, cut bait, beef chunks, corn, stinkbait, crickets, crayfish, etc. ( no lures) Saltwater: Shrimp (live and dead fresh), mud minnows, fiddler crabs, mullet (live and frozen), bluecrab (pieces), sand fleas, cut bait, pin fish, ballyhoo, squid, etc. I use floats and bottom fish. Bottom fishing is when I need the casting power, but I will also use the rod to toss floats. I carry three reel models with me freshwater fishing, Vanford C3000XG, Vanford C5000XG and my trustee Baitrunner-D 4000 for casting distance. My Vanford C5000XG holds more line, has a beefier drag and is lighter. I want to find the right pan to catfish rod for it and retire my Baitrunners to saltwater only. I need to find a rod similiar but just a little less backbone than the Talus's I have. Onward march my journey goes

I wouldn't bank on that until I give one of them a try or someone shows me a better option under $200. I bought two Shimano Clarus 7' MHF and they are flimsy to me. Put a 2 ounce sinker on and my rod felt like I had a turtle on the end of the line trying to be casted. Maybe I should have stayed saltwater if I need saltwater rods to fit my freshwater reels

I totally agree with you. I am an IT Engineer and I can tell you that the more technology there is, the more problems you are bound to face. Just keep Microsoft out of the Reel Manufacturing business

I didn't make this hard, most of the gear catering to one freshwater species is the issue. I am mostly a bottom/Bank fishermen these days so my requirements differ from fishing from a boat. I have to cast farther, and that means I need to sling 1 to 3 ounce sinkers depending on the distance and type of bait (I am presuming that the lure rating can also be applied to sinkers?) I use minnows, shiners, crickets, liver, beef, cut bait, crayfish, grass shrimp, whatever the fish in the area like. I prefer live and cut bait. I spent years playing the species game on the ocean. High Tide, Low Tide, moon position, what bait is running, barometric pressure, red tide, time of the year, water temp and on and on. All to target one species. But the gear is designed to catch them all with some minor large game fish exceptions, like tuna or billed fish. Imagine only being able to buy a rod for redfish because they are so popular and try and land a 6' 150# Tarpon with that gear. I always take 3 rod and reel combos with me to fish freshwater; all spinning gear, 3000 series, 5000 series and a 4000 series Baitrunner D on a Talus Bluewater blue water rod for catfishing. I plan on different species when I fish. If the crappie aren't biting, on to something else so to speak. I always catch something. I am not going to drive over an hour, and not have some reeling in fish. Back to the Rods: The closest rod I have found is the St Croix PREMIER® MUSKY SPINNING RODS ($225) - PMS80MHF - PMS80HF Both have a 30 - 65 lb. line rating so I am going to need to see these in person due to the price is over $200 and I need two. I am only considering these, 8' or larger one piece rods are a pain to transport. My preference is to keep my rod under 8' so it fits in my 8' bed comfortably. So I am looking for 7' to 7'8" in length. I am worse than the date that takes two hours to get ready, LOL Thank you all for putting up with me

All good I know how you feel about the way money, greed and the lack of respect for nature has changed the entire state. I can remember St. Augustine from when I was 5, the changes are many, none of which to preserve history or to protect the natural beauty. Yes, the weather is great, tons to do year round to keep me out of trouble, and I do live in the one place I have always wanted to, St. Augustine. Oh, and if you want to make a lifetime friend, please do share some of those hidden gems in the area. The locals here share NOTHING, and if they do share a spot, go the other direction (Locals - those that have lived their entire lives here since birth I do not qualify by their terms because I was not born here )

I have a heavy wrist snap from using spinning reels for so long and this has hindered my acceptance of BC's. Long distance casting was either embarrassingly short or I was ending up with bird nests when using the DC. Last week it was suggested not to wrist snap when casting a BC and I have had a lot more success and am starting to like to BC's. (Not leaving my spinning gear yet) If there is any one thing I love about my Curado DC, it is the 8.5.1 retrieve. Nice to have that speed if you need it.

Does anyone use Lews gear out there? I was looking at two reels, then after the DC decided against, but now I am looking again: 1. Team Lew's Pro Skipping and Pitching SLP 2. Team Lew's Pro TI SLP Since frogging and skipping seem to be the only reason that I (me personally) would need special gear, any thoughts on these reels?

I have a quick question. I know that when I skip river rocks, I snap my wrist when throwing but there is more of a stop action at the wrist. How do you repeat that action with a rod? I tried skipping from shore yesterday with the DC engaged and I now need to respool my reel Do you think there is any reel ( ) difference between the SV and the DC past the prices?

I am sorry you are not happy with Florida. I grew up here as a kid and returned to live permanently about 23 years ago. A lot have things have changed over the years, but none more impacting than the influx of those that have changed way too much. It is odd that people retire to vacation places that they love and change it into the S#!T40!es they ran away from. Makes no sense to me to destroy what you love

They seem to want us to put batteries in everything these days, just saying The last time I heard the word servo it was in a weapons system ??

Howdy Howdy, That sounds a lot more economical than what I had The main gas usage is getting to the offshore spots like reefs or my favorite spot being the Red Snapper Sink about 30 NM SE of St Augustine pair the distance with about 2 MPG I/O's and it was no longer economical or enjoyable for me. While I miss having a boat, I do not regret trading it in on a 35' Camper that my wife and I use two to three times a month. And, I never realized that less there is less than 1% of Florida's freshwater angling available to non boaters and, Florida's 5th lagers and deepest freshwater lake is 100% private. Imagine the lake that you and your friends grew up with, fishing, swimming, boating, skiing, now a private lake. Of course you can always pay one of the lake front HOA residents to taker you out for half a day at $500, while your takes support and stock the lake ? (Kingsley Lake, google it and see) Kingsley Lake Stricklands and the campgrounds next door were the only access. Now HOA's. If you are active Military "I think" you can access via Camp Blanding.

You are right on !! I am a new to low profile bait casters, and the DC serves newbies more than seasoned baitcaster pros.

The DC reel is just a 'yuppie' hype. I am new to baitcasters, so I let someone talk me into a Curado DC, on a St Croix Avid X 7' MH rod. With taxes just over $500 for the combo. A guaranteed setup for any kind of Bass fishing I was told... Long story short, the DC has to be constantly readjusted to keep your casting consistent. If you do not, one cast will go 40 yards and the next 30 yards. Makes it near impossible to be accurate. You are thinking, "Newbie". Nope, I decided to disengage the DC braking and guess what. I can cast the crap out of that rod (now that I am not snapping my wrist during the cast) accurately and without much effort. I am using my thumb in place of that $100 brake and loving it. I received a tip last week about why spinning reel anglers have issues with baitcasters and birdsnest is the snapping of the wrist during casting. At the beginning of last week I was willing to sell that combo, now I am going out at least once a day and practicing in the retention pond behind my house and enjoying the learning aspect for accuracy. Not giving up my spinning reels, just expanding my horizons . Here is my suggestion: Buy the reel online via Amazon or some other store, but make sure you have 30 days or more to return it. I would never tell someone not to try out something new, you might find a way to get that DC to work great for you. It does prevent birdnests, but always feels like my cast is being held back and I tend to overpower my casts with it, my personal experience. Good Luck !!

Great information: But, why do I need baitcasters over spinning? What can baitcasters #1 and #2 do that a spinning reel like the Vanford C3000XG can't? I feel like baitcasters are being forced on me?

Excellent, I have seen that crappie gear is a lot more reasonable, and quite frankly great gear for its targeted species. B&M gear comes highly recommended (from another forum) and is very fair priced from what I have seen for crappie rods. Sorry that I refer to Crappie as Pan fish, it's not to be insulting. This is the first year that I have fished for Crappie. Still working on catching one Spinning Rod - I am just trying to find a quality Heavy Fast to take a look at, feel it in my hands. I didn't think that would be a problem except I can't seem to find Heavy-Fast Rods for freshwater Spinning Rods. Lots of Heavy baitcaster rods, none for spinning? This is where I am getting frustrated. I can find plenty of Heavy powered rods for a baicaster but zip for the spinners.

It is looking more that way I guess that all the gear is focused on Bass because there are so many different techniques and requirements for those techniques. Here are some of those techniques that one rod manufactures has a rod for, every technique, all 19 separate rods and reels! Some below look like duplicates, one is cast and one is spin if you see two: Jerk Bait Spinner Bait Sq Bill Crankin’ Jig/Worm Bladed Jig Frog Carolina Rig Swim bait Crankbait Flippin' Finesse Tube Shakey Head Jig/Wo rm Crankbait Drop Shot Punchin' Rod Mag Swimbait Lipless Crankbait Deep Crankbait Are we are talking about fishing here right? I am thinking someone might need a degree in biology to understand how to catch one type of fish? Come on, how many of you out there (that are not tournament pros) have 19 different rod and reel combinations to fish for one fish? I am returning to freshwater, and a bit new for Bass and Crappie fishing. How do I pick out three methods to buy gear for when I have never really tried any of them in over 20 years We do not get to try before we buy and because of all the online stores we can't even see these rods and reels in person let alone try them. I fish from the bank solely now. What three rods and reels would you recommend to start and why? my requirements: 1. long casting but has to be 7'6" or less for transporting and casting area. You cannot 2. Reel Under $300 3. Rod under $200 4. Braid only as I do not fish with mono, I use Fluorocarbon Leaders down to 4# I would love to one day visit a Bass Pro. Unfortunately we do not have one in my area yet. We do have one coming in the near future to the new Bartram Park Town Center that is being built in North Saint Johns County, but that is still a a few years away. The regional thing that gets me is that this area is pretty much saltwater. You have to travel south and west to all the lakes and rivers. I can only hope with the Bass Pro Tourney being held on the Saint Johns in Palatka that they will have a lot of freshwater gear too to look at in person.

On my Vanford C3000XG's I have 15# SS2 and the C5000Xg's have 30# SS2. I was told that the line size matters little when you have 30# or less sized braid. It is the color that matters more? When I asked about using 30# I was told that the line # and the rod specs are used in conjunction with your reels drag to keep the line at whatever # you need up to the reel max. Meaning I can set it up where the reel never allows more than 6# drag. But if I choose to change the species I am interested in I just adjust the drag? I have caught small 6" bass and 4" crappie on both the Vanfords with up to 30# braid line. I am not saying either of you is right or wrong, I am just looking for advice. Even though a bit young to be the oldest, at 55 I no longer have any senior family members to sit and talk with about fishing. So I am reaching out to you all. Yes, I am a bit opiniated, but always open to debate and to change my view when wrong. I did not think anyone would bite on that , it really isn't for sale. If I ever do want to learn to use a baitcaster I have one. I have had too many people tell me to have at least one freshwater 7' MF in my fishing arsenal its there, even if just for looks I have used it to fish for bass at the Rodman twice. All day tossing lured lures and I was sore for a week with nothing to show except some snagged 12" Gizzard Shad, nasty buggers

Nope, no fights here I am open to all input good and not so good I am a very open and honest person, what you see is what you get. Yes, visiting shops is a good choice. I only have one serious place near me where I purchased my 4 Vanford's and the Clarus Rods they are on. The stores are mainly salt around here as I am in St Augustine. The big problem I have faced with the stores is very low stock. Stock does seem to be increasing, and that is why I am trying to get ideas from everyone. Without actually fishing with the gear for a day or two, I can't just pick up a rod at the store and say yep this will work Awesome catches. I will not disagree with you because I remember catching big carp and cats (30" and upwards) on small Zebco gear as a kid. I guess all the years fishing heavy gear in the salt and sand may have me discombobulated. You are also standing on an advantage I no longer have to get to the areas and not have to try to long cast to them.

Bass fishing is very popular, as long as you have a boat here in Florida. Did you know that Florida's fourth largest lake in size and deepest at over 100' is 100% private even though tax payers cover 100% of the cost to stock and maintain it? Of course you can hire one of the locals that live in the lake front HOA's to take you out for 4 hours at $500 Less than 1% of Florida's freshwater fishing is publicly accessible without a boat. I sold my 31' offshore money pit in 2017, not buying another boat at todays fuel and boat prices. I had a 101 gal tank on the other one. Fill that up with non ethanol gas (about $600) a day of fishing on the ocean will easily cost over $300 in fuel alone. NOPE no BOAT for ME!! I have returned to BANK freshwater fishing and maybe I should have noted that earlier.

Thank you!! This is the first article I have found where someone has actually taken the time to explain an important difference in the casting techniques between Spinning and Baitcasters. I picked up a Shimano Curado DC late last year. To say the least I am not impressed with baitcasters. But, I try to be open minded especially when I dropped $500 for the reel and rod and it is sitting across the room looking real pretty I do not know if the wrist snapping is a part of my casting issue, distance not birds nests that is my nemesis. It always feels like there is a drag on the line even when I turn off the DC braking system. I can cast twice as far with my Vanford C3000XG on a 6'6" MF rod. I can't try it out until this Sunday, but I will make sure I am casting it right and not snapping my wrist. THANKS

That is what I am thinking too. But why all the resistance to make "good" heavy rods for spinning gear? I know more people out there fish for Trophy Catfish other than myself? What, is catfishing now a lower cast activity in 2022? I would like to see a bassermen bring in a 5' 40# flat cat on a 7'0 Medium Fast rod with 10# line. I have nothing against Bass fishing. I suck at it, but still try occasionally. I am more of a live bait guy. I just get irritated when all the freshwater gear seems to be focused on Bass these days. There are a lot of other fish out there in the rivers and lakes that are more abundant and a better fight and Walleye are way better on the table. Walleye, Musky, Pike, Sturgeon, Carp, Catfish, Paddlefish, striped bass, rock bass, and the list goes on. And all the gear is focused on BASS??????? Not very fair to the rest of us anglers that make up a way larger population of fishermen.