ive just got into catfishing for big cats a few weeks ago, but ive only caught one cat in my life and that was about a 2lb blue cat and ive been wanting to go all out and try to catch the biggest catfish i can catch. i have an abu garcia ambassadeur 5500c spooled with 40# braid on a 7ft medium heavy rod but i have a feeling im guna need bigger gear what do you guys recomend i dont want to spend all that much by the way i fish lakes, rivers, and streams.
if the fish aren't hitting, there's no use in quiting.

I would think your setup would serve very well for for most of your catfish action. Some would consider it heavy but if you are looking for more in depth information, go back in the posts and check, there is a lot of information already posted and probobly some good links.

I would think your setup would serve very well for for most of your catfish action. Some would consider it heavy but if you are looking for more in depth information, go back in the posts and check, there is a lot of information already posted and probobly some good links.

I wouldn't worry about bigger tackle until you start catching 80# fish on a regular basis. You may want to invest in a longer rod if you fish from shore, it will let you cast farther. Tom

thanks for the tips. where should i go to find big cats on a lake? i finally bought a cast net today and some more circle hooks.  i have $80 to spend on a rod and reel i want to buy a baitcasting reel so idk which ones would be good for the big ones
if the fish aren't hitting, there's no use in quiting.

Keep saving, a decent reel like an Abu 5500C3 will set set you back most if not all of that $80. I would fish with what you have or maybe invest in a long (9-10 foot) casting rod and then save for the reel. The big boys tend to hang out in the deep holes. In-Fisherman has a good article on fishing for river cats in the latest issue. Tom

Hey mikal where are you fishing for the big cats, what state ,what lake. It all would depend on where you are at for the big cats.

Mikal, when I bank fish I use the same set up as you for catfishing around creek mouth's of the Arkansas river here in Tulsa except I use a 6500C3 and a 6500C4 with 17lb Cajun line,these are also the same one's I use for striper fishing. If I fish the river I use a 10ft heavy action pole with a Abu 7000 with 20lb Berkely Big Game.

 

If your still looking for catfish stuff check this place out. I've used them before and was please with their service, they have very good price's on their big rod's and baitcast reel's.

 

http://www.catfishconnection.com/

 

 

"Give a Man a Fish, Feed Him For a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, Confuse Him For a Lifetime"