Many factors go into purchasing the best fishing rod suitable for catfish; rod material, shape, length, power, action, and what type of reel it suits. We will help you find the best rod to suit your catfish needs, whether you’re just starting your cat journey or you’re an avid catfish angler looking for a new rod to add to your arsenal. Here’s a look at what we consider the top catfishing rods on the market!
Best Beginner Rod and Reel Combo
Ugly Stick Catfish
There’s a reason why the Ugly Stik rod and reel are great for beginners: they are simple, affordable, quality rods. When purchasing this rod, you can choose between a spincast or spinning reel. We recommend opting-in for a spinning reel because it’s easier to learn on and it’s more resilient. Lastly, this Ugly Stik is a medium-heavy action rod, offering you the strength and capability required for multiple catfish species.
Who Should Buy It: Novice catfish anglers looking for an inexpensive starter setup.
Best Budget-Friendly Catfish Rod
Ugly Stick GX2
We like the GX2 because like other Ugly Stik rods, they are reliable, sturdy and versatile. As stated before, it’s available in multiple sizes, ranging from 4’8” to 9’.
Who Should Buy It: Anglers looking for a dependable yet affordable fishing rod.
Best Rod for Flathead Catfish
Silver Cat Elite
The Silver Cat Elite was built to withstand strikes of sizable blue and flathead catfish. This single-piece rod screams power, as it’s a medium-heavy action rod with a rigid backbone for added strength. Yet, the rod’s tip has a high-visibility design with faster action. These rod tip features make it easier to see strikes, whether fishing during the day or at night. Additionally, this rod is excellent if you’re catfishing in rivers with heavy currents since it has a lure weight of 8 to 12 ounces.
Who Should Buy It: Experienced catfish anglers actively targeting flathead or blue catfish in rivers.
Best Heavy Power Rod
Okuma Battle Cat
The Okuma Battle Cat Rod is a high-quality, lightweight, heavy-duty fishing rod built to haul-in large catfish. When paired with a good reel, you won’t have trouble casting heavy lead and large baits with this rod. For instance, this rod’s capabilities include a line weight of 15-60 pounds and a lure weight of 1 to 8 ounces. Even more, this rod is ideal for drift fishing.
Who Should Buy It: Catfish anglers searching for a lightweight yet heavy powered rod capable of casting large baits with ease.
Best Medium-Heavy Power Rod
Warrior Cat
If you are an avid catfisher, this 7’6” medium-heavy action rod is a must. This rod is strong with a stiff backbone, yet it has excellent sensitivity. Additionally, this Warrior Cat Rod performs phenomenally in lakes, streams, and even in rivers with heavy currents. You will love the durability of the aluminum reel seat on this rod, featuring a double hexagon locking nut design. Plus, these rods are aesthetically pleasing.
Who Should Buy It: Tournament catfishers or avid catfish anglers looking for a high-quality medium-heavy rod to add to their inventory.
Features to Look for When Buying a New Rod
When selecting the perfect catfishing rod for you, there are many features you shouldn’t overlook. For example, you should look at: if it’s a one-piece or two-piece rod, its material, length, action, power, handle material, reel seat, and its line and reel rating.
1-Piece Versus 2-Piece Rods
Some anglers will say one-piece rods are more robust than two-piece rods; this saying is far from the truth. Nowadays, manufacturers make two-piece rods just as durable as one-piece rods. Plus, two-piece rods are easier to store and transport in your vehicle.
Rod Material
Today, manufacturers can construct a fishing rod out of varying materials. Here’s a list of the most common materials used to make fishing rods ranked by durability, with S-glass being the strongest and graphite being the weakest:
- S-glass
- E-glass
- Composite
- Carbon fiber
- Graphite
Although S-glass rods may be the most robust, they’re also the most expensive material. Consequently, most manufacturers construct their catfish rods of E-glass or a composite material containing E-glass.
Rod Length
Generally, the rule of thumb is the longer the rod length, the further the castability. Typically, when choosing what rod length to select, you should think about what type of catfishing you’ll likely be doing. Specifically, if you plan to cast long distances from the shore, you should look at rods over eight feet.
Rod Action and Power
Next, understanding the terms “rod action” and “rod power” is essential for selecting the proper rod for your needs. For instance, a rod’s “action” is measured by where the rod flexes on the blank when pressure is applied. Here is a list of rod actions ordered from least to most flex:
- Extra-fast action
- Fast action
- Moderate-fast action
- Moderate action
- Slow action
Usually, most catfish anglers choose a moderate to moderate-fast action rod for catfishing. In comparison, extra-fast and fast-action rods are more suitable for bait fishing. In addition to rod action, anglers need to look at a rod’s power. Most catfishers prefer to use a medium to a heavy rod, depending on which catfish species they’re targeting. For channel catfish, you can get away with using a medium rod. In contrast, medium-heavy to heavy rods are more reliable for targeting blues and flatheads.
Rod Handles and Reel Seats
Companies construct rod handles of many materials, from foam to paracord, so pick the most comfortable grip for your liking. You may also notice the handles on catfishing rods are longer than others. The reason manufacturers make catfishing rod handles longer to give anglers more leverage when fighting with large fish.
Line and Lure Rating
Lastly, it is vital to look at the line and lure ratings of the rod. Visualize what pound test you would like to use and what line type. In addition, you need to think of what kind of baits and weights you plan on using. Or if you plan on fishing in areas with heavy currents. Hence, if you plan to do a lot of river fishing or use large baits, get a rod with a higher line and lure rating.
The Best Overall Catfish Rod?
In the end, for choosing the best catfish rod, you must decide which one suits your needs. Are you a beginner catfish angler or beginner in general? Consider picking up an Ugly Stik spinning rod. Many anglers will argue and say bait casters are best. However, they can be frustrating to use for beginners. So, save yourself a headache and pick up a spinning rod. Happy catfishing we will see you on the water!
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