I'm looking for a new reel  to go ctfishing with. What suggestions  do yall have

Everyone has their own opinions. I use a BPS Megacast MCM2000 bait cast reel with 17 pound test Trilene XT for channel cats, and a Peen Peer 209 levelwind with 80 pound test Offshore Angler braided Dacron with 50 pound test Trilene Big Game leader for flatheads.

I have different set ups for different sized fishes. I will run from a Shimano Stradic 3000 up to a Stradic 6000 for spinning reels and generally I use a Shimano Cardiff 400A for my levelwind reel. For my cheapo set up aka loaner, I have a Shakespeare Alpha XT reel with 20# mono. The reel weighs in about 24 oz.

I like the penns I use the 209,4/0,9/0 I find that these are the most maintence free reels I have found. just my 2 cents Dave

how about one just thats big and sturdy?

I had one that was big and sturdy have had it for a while and it finally kicked the bucket

Zebco 808,  15lb stren flourescent

depends on what you're going for. Where I live 4-5# channel cats are most abundant with an occasional 5-10# flatty. I fish with three, medium power, 7' Jig-a-Whopper rods with 40 size Okuma spinning reels loaded with 12# trilene. These have lasted 4 years already with no problems.

I have Abu Garcia's for myself , and Zebco 808's for the family, they all work good for us.

Well,its all about your personal opinion, but as far a reel that will catch almost any catfish and any other fish, id go with an Abu Garcia 5600 c4 reel with about 30 lbs line. I have that real with 30lbs braided line on an ugly stik tiger rod. i fish for bass, catfish, sturgeon, and anything else with this rod.

abu garcia and a 7ft. ugly stik. simple and easy can't beat it.

When I am fishing for big cats (20+ lbs.) I use an Ambassador 5500C or 6500C spooled in 20+ lb. line.  When I am looking to play a little I like to use a Shimano 2500 or 3000 spooled with 8 lb. line on a long ultra lite rod.  I have laned several in the 30+ lbs. group with the ultra lite rig but it usually takes me about an hour to get it to shore.  My Dad (84) got me interested in the ultra lites.  He caught one two weeks back that weighed in at just over 39 lbs.--took him an hour and a half to land him, needless to say he was exhausted from the fight and I was exhausted from watching.  What a thrill our Father let us share this moment!  Uncle Tom  We usually rig up Zebco's for the grand kids.  My grand son caught a 3 lb. bass for Mother's Day.  He was so excited.  As he pulled him out he turned to me and said:  "PaPa, he sure has big eyes!

BASS PRO SHOPS Sells one called the CAT MAXX it come in spinning and baitcast. Will hold a tone of line I would rig it up with some Sufix 832 50lb braid and put it on an ugly stick. Great for whiskered giants of the deep !


Jaysun7776


Mesquite TX 

Abu garcia. You really can't go wrong in my opinion.Made in Sweden.

For the serious catfisherman it is hard to be Ambassador 5500C or 6500C.  First of all they are durable--almost impossible to wear one out.  Second, you can spool plenty of 20 to 30 pound line on one which will give you enough strength and power to pull the biggest monster out of heavy cover.  Third, they do not require a lot of maintenance but if you give it a cleaning and lubrication it is hard to say how long they will last.  I have one in my closet mounted on the first heavy duty rod I ever built and both rod and reel are just as good today as the day I mounted them together (40+years ago).  I also like to fish  for cats in our lake with my grand kids.  They use a Zebco 33 which is equally hard to beat for maintenance and price.  Its symplicity works wonders with grand kids--simple to throw and allows them to catch one with bragging rights to Grand Ma!  Good luck and good fishing.  Why not let the kids help with preparation and eat a mess of catfish fillets for dinner.  Uncle Tom

I have the cat maxx, love it

i have the bps mcm2000 baitcaster. its not exspensive and i have had no complaints about it

Alot depends on what the waters you fish holds. I've used spinning gear exclusively for years.Size 30-35 reels and medium weight rods. I use mostly Quantum's and an Okuma here and there. Ten to twelve pound line. I fish rivers and impoundments only from shorelines and catch channels and flatheads. Most are in the 3-15# range. No need for a $100 rod or $100 reel. Just prop the rod on a bank stick and wait for it to bend

I have heard the Abu Garcia 6500 C-3 is the best catfishing reel you can buy. I may just have to invest in one

The best reel for catfish would be the toughest reel, and the toughest one I have is a Rhino RBCXL. This thing is twice the size of an Ambassadeur and twice as tough. Don't get me wrong, Abu Garcias are great reels. I have an Ambassadeur 5600 and a BCX 6600 and I love them both, but this Rhino is like a winch! It has sideplates that look like plastic or graphite, but don't let that fool you. It has no flex, and the clicker is so loud you can here it across the lake! You can find great deals on them on E-bay, and at a price of under 50 bucks, they are an excellent alternative to higher priced reels like Abu Garcia, Shimano, and Penn.