Catfish tackle Q

[Ben Snyder]

Hello all

I'm about to go catfishing. Will be in Lake Champlain, where the cats
supposedly get up to 25 lbs or so. (Correct me if I'm wrong, I've never
fished here...)

How's this sound for gear?
Medium-heavy rod, 7ft or so
30 lb test mono.
Appropriate spinner reel

Terminal tackle:
egg sinker (2 oz?)
swivel
wire leader
big 'ol hook (not sure of the best size)

Bait:
I plan on trying catfish powerbait, crawlers, chicken livers.

I'm supplying everything for myself and the other 2-4 guys going with
me. I want to stay away from superlines because the other guys with
me won't have time to learn how to tie it without breaking. And since I
am buying the rods, I'm not getting top quality which may have ceramic
eyes etc.

Thanks!
-ben

[Rodney Long]

Post by Ben Snyder
Hello all
I'm about to go catfishing. Will be in Lake Champlain, where the cats
supposedly get up to 25 lbs or so. (Correct me if I'm wrong, I've never
fished here...)
How's this sound for gear?
Medium-heavy rod, 7ft or so
30 lb test mono.
Appropriate spinner reel

Lines a bit heavy for 25 lb fish, 20lb line is more than enough, it will
cast further, and you reel will hold more of it

Post by Ben Snyder
egg sinker (2 oz?)

You would need that to toss that 30 lb line far

Post by Ben Snyder
swivel
wire leader

Get rid of the wire leader, it's just not needed

Post by Ben Snyder
big 'ol hook (not sure of the best size)

You can catch huge cat fish on little hooks, I caught a 22 lb flat head
on a number 8 cricket hook. If you fish with a hook too big the little
cats will get your bait off without getting the hook.

I would start out with a number 2 heavy wire hook, of course if you are
using huge baits, you go up in hook size

Post by Ben Snyder
I plan on trying catfish powerbait, crawlers, chicken livers.
I'm supplying everything for myself and the other 2-4 guys going with
me. I want to stay away from superlines because the other guys with
me won't have time to learn how to tie it without breaking. And since I
am buying the rods, I'm not getting top quality which may have ceramic
eyes etc.
Thanks!
-ben

[Ben Snyder]

Post by Rodney Long

Post by Ben Snyder
Hello all
I'm about to go catfishing. Will be in Lake Champlain, where the cats
supposedly get up to 25 lbs or so. (Correct me if I'm wrong, I've
never fished here...)
How's this sound for gear?
Medium-heavy rod, 7ft or so
30 lb test mono.
Appropriate spinner reel

Lines a bit heavy for 25 lb fish, 20lb line is more than enough, it will
cast further, and you reel will hold more of it

Post by Ben Snyder
egg sinker (2 oz?)

You would need that to toss that 30 lb line far

Post by Ben Snyder
swivel
wire leader

Get rid of the wire leader, it's just not needed

Post by Ben Snyder
big 'ol hook (not sure of the best size)

You can catch huge cat fish on little hooks, I caught a 22 lb flat head
on a number 8 cricket hook. If you fish with a hook too big the little
cats will get your bait off without getting the hook.
I would start out with a number 2 heavy wire hook, of course if you are
using huge baits, you go up in hook size

Great, thanks!

For the record, I'm not a fishing noob, but still very new at the fresh
water game.

-ben