Cat Guys vs. Musky Guys

[Dylan33]

A couple of observations....

1. Whether you fish for cats or skis, heavy equipment is needed.

2. You could probably use your cat gear to fish skis and vice versa

and

based on my experience...

1. Cats guys seem to pride themselves on catching these monsters with old cheap beat up gear.

and

2. Musky guys seem to act like if you aren't using the best of the best equipment there is something wrong with you.

so, a couple questions. Does anyone agree or disagree with my observations?, and does anyone out there fish for both (if so, do you use the same equipment)

Thanks for all responses and satisfying my curiousity.

[setterguy]

I guess I can't speak for everyone but being a muskie fisherman, I will throw in my opinions.

In cat fishing there is less wear on the equipment, most fishing is done by letting bait sit and waiting correct?

Muskie fishing is mostly all casting and better gear is going to perform better and cause less fatigue when throwing big baits for hours on end. I don't look down on anyone with cheaper gear, it catches plenty of fish. But for me spending extra money on quality gear that will last and make my fishing more enjoyable and productive is a no brainer when you factor in the cost vs. the longevity of it.

[pureinsanity]

A couple of observations....

1. Whether you fish for cats or skis, heavy equipment is needed.

2. You could probably use your cat gear to fish skis and vice versa

and

based on my experience...

1. Cats guys seem to pride themselves on catching these monsters with old cheap beat up gear.

and

2. Musky guys seem to act like if you aren't using the best of the best equipment there is something wrong with you.

so, a couple questions. Does anyone agree or disagree with my observations?, and does anyone out there fish for both (if so, do you use the same equipment)

Thanks for all responses and satisfying my curiousity.

In my opinion. The gear does matter but doesn't. Obviously you want a rod that is designed for a big fish, and also a reel that can with stand the abuse said fish can put against it.

I fish for cats, I have a few rods I use. I don't think you need the best rod by any means because when fishing for cats you wait. If a fish bites it takes line and than you put a hook set.

I purchased a muskie combo for 130 dollars from reeds a couple years ago and threw some 80# braid on it. I caught muskies on it, I also caught 40# cats on it. I caught more cats on that combo than I did on my "expensive rod and reel."

One thing is a cat will over power a muskie any day. Muskies seem to give up right away, as a cat will usually fight all the way until its landed.

Our old beat up gear isn't really old and beat up most of the time its just used, and used a lot. Personally if I had a 200 dollar fishing rod and was worried about it getting beat up I wouldn't buy it.

I think personally most people think because they have the best of the best equipment it makes them a better fisherman. This isn't true, although it may have some advantages.

I personally started building my own rods, and I have people try them out. After using them they say, hmmmm this is light, and has a great feel to it, but I really like my ___________ (insert name brand they over paid for!)

[pureinsanity]

In cat fishing there is less wear on the equipment, most fishing is done by letting bait sit and waiting correct?

You are correct, but keep in mind on average we have a 3-6oz weight plus a large hook, and 7-10" Bullhead on which adds several more ounces. We are whipping out more weight, in one cast than several of yours.

Id say on average every 20-30 mins we check bait and reset. Figure that we are out there for 5-7 hours, and don't forget about the elements, Sand, fish slime, bait slim, sand, sand, and sand.

I wouldn't say there isn't less wear on the equipment by any means!

[JimBuck]

I fish both cats and muskies. The reason I enjoy both is that they are so different in approaches. Catfishing for me is entirely live bait rigging and with muskies 98% of my fishing is done with artificial baits.

In regards to needing the best gear for muskies. I don't think that's true. I purchase what I can afford at the time and do just fine without spending 600 on a new rod and reel. A lot of folks will buy really nice setups like that because often times you get what you pay for. Throwing some serious money down on a Trinidad or anything in that range should last you a lifetime if treated and maintained properly. I like the idea of doing it right the first time instead of facing equipment failures on the water or a year down the road.

I think the cost of cat gear is less because of a more simplified rigging approach to fishing for them. Instead of blowing 30 bucks on a lure for a specific application, guys will use various forms of live/cut bait. Rigging like this (usually) doesn't involve casting hundreds of times with hard pulling lures and in turn, doesn't wear out equipment nearly as fast.

Both species are apex predators and I think that's where the similarities end...that's why I enjoy spending time on the water fishing for both. Good luck out there.

[pureinsanity]

I also will say knowing your fishing rod and how they work is a good way to figure out how performance will be. Since I started building my own every time I go to cabelas or gander I always make a stop at the expensive out of my budget rod section. I randomly sample a few. I test the rod to find the spline.

For those of you who do not know what the spline is? Every fishing rod blank that is manufactured by rolling material around a mandrel will have a hard side (or stiff side). This hard side is call the spine (or spline). There are forces generated during manufacturing that cause this hard side to drift throughout the length of the blank such as epoxy resin curing, material wraps in any given place, and of course the consistency of the material being applied.

In other words there will be a line from butt to tip that will be "stiffer" than the rest of the blank and this area will resist bending more than the rest of the blank.

Have you ever had a rod that would cast to one side or the other no matter where you aimed? Well if the spine is off when you load the rod to cast it will torque to one side or the other every time you load the cast.

In other words some of these rods I tested, the splines were off. Not by much, and probably not enough where it would matter a whole lot! But if I am spending money on a expensive fishing rod I want it to be built right. Thus why I build my own now!

[Nick Kuhn]

Casting really isn't the tiring thing when musky fishing, or the thing that is tough on gear. Although we do throw baits up to 13 ounces.

The retrieve is what's difficult. With the wrong reel, a double ten will feel like you are dragging in a large stick or boot. There's canoes out there that have less drag than a big bucktail. The wear doesn't become apparent until you've done it non-stop for a few hours. With the right reel (which is going to be on the positive side of $100), these bucktails come in a lot easier. And after a few hours the difference is pretty apparent.

The other thing that'll wear you down in a hurry is jerkbaits on the wrong rod. There's some jerkbaits out there, that when you throw after just a handful of casts you'll start feeling a little burn. Now try to keep that up for a couple hundred more casts.

And for the record my brother tried to get away with using some (3 different) $50 reels, and not one of them lasted more than 3 outings before they were rendered totally useless.

[slipperybob]

If you troll for muskies, then I can see the same cheaper cat gear working for it.

If you chase big cats with artificials, I guess that's gonna be 10,000 more casts.

[pureinsanity]

If you troll for muskies, then I can see the same cheaper cat gear working for it.

If you chase big cats with artificials, I guess that's gonna be 10,000 more casts.

lol

[hanson]

I fish both Flathead Cats & Muskies now and the only gear that I use for both are my reels, Garcia 7000s. And even with that, I'm compromising. New reels will be in the future for muskie fishing but not in the budget now.

The 7000 Garcias are great catfish reels with very good clickers on them. I really don't think you could find a better cat reel. They work well for muskies as well but I'm sure not picking up line very fast on the retrieve with a 4.3:1 gear ratio. The 7000 is adequate for double 10s because the low ratio makes the retrieve pretty effortless, but like I said its slow. No burning a double 10 with that reel. Good thing is I haven't destroyed one yet and that is the advantage of that gear ratio. In a perfect world I would be using a Saltist or Trinidad for that application, that is burning a double 10 or 13.

As for rods, I have specific rods for each species. I like a bit softer rod for live baiting flathead cats where I don't see an advantage to that with muskies. With muskies I want a rod(s) that work great with the different baits. Cowgirl for example is a pretty light bait so I need a rod that loads just right when casting a cowgirl. But I wouldn't use that rod for casting Mag Dawgs or Pounder Bulldawgs. Jerkbait rod needs to be a bit shorter IMO so I'm not slapping the water when retrieving. Different rods for different techniques, just makes your life easier.

To be completely honest and candid, catfishing doesn't test your gear (specifically reels) like muskie fishing does. Guys in my muskie fishing circle are blowing up 4-5 reels a summer fishing on a regular basis. Two of them ended up sending a Trinidad & Calcutta back to Shimano for repairs after a recent trip to Vermilion. Big blades pull hard! They distort reel frames and cause gears to get out of alignment. Stripped gears, broken bearings, etc are all a result. The actual act (casting & retrieving) of muskie fishing is hard on equipment. Casting 6 oz weight is honestly not that big a deal.

Yes there are similarities and crossovers but you're just compromising if you expect a single rod/reel combo to pull double duty.

[Dylan33]

Awesome. I appreciate all of the responses so far.

I am a newbie to musky fishing (bass fisherman at heart) I bought my first real musky setup this spring, and never really got into cats, although a few buddies keep trying to pull me in.

I gotta say, I love the wealth of knowledge located here. Thanks again and I'll see you on the water!

[hanson]

I am a newbie to musky fishing (bass fisherman at heart) I bought my first real musky setup this spring, and never really got into cats, although a few buddies keep trying to pull me in.

Its easier to take your muskie gear and go catfishing than the other way around. Sounds like you are all set to try cattin'!

[Dylan33]

I don't know about trying the cats. I shower on a regular basis, so I probably wouldn't fit in with the cat guys.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

And I don't wear a dress so maybe I wouldn't like Muskie fishing.

All I know is that both Muskie and Catfisherman are very, very dedicated groups of anglers who care deeply about their respective fisheries. Both fisherman for both species are very patient, probably more than any other Minnesota fishermen.

[Ed Carlson]

As an avid "Cat Guy" I can contribute this.

*Cats put heavy wear on fishing gear. Buy the highest quality one can afford and then upgrade as required. Low quality gear becomes disposable, very quickly. Even high grade gear take a lot of beating and requires frequent service.

*Cats cover a wide range of species and presentations, and med/light to 2X-Heavy gear may be required. One rod and reel will not cover all situations.

*Cats can be caught on everything from Muskie class baits to Ulta Light crappie tackle, depending on the geographical area fished, angling conditions, and size, species of catfish, or age group your fishing for.

*Catfisherman & Catfisherwoman need to be adaptable, observant, and flexible to be successful.

*The greatest draw to catfishing is one may take it at whatever level one wishes, casually angling, to Hard-Core....and it's all good. Catfishing is often revered to be the "EveryMans / EverWomans Sport"....and far less "Elitist".

*And...if you apt to Whine about getting Muddy, or smelly....you better suited to go chase Muskie.

"Good-bye, good luck, struck the sun and the moon,

To the fisherman lost on the land.

He stands alone at the door of his home,

With his long-legged heart in his hand."... Dylan Thomas

[setterguy]

And I don't wear a dress so maybe I wouldn't like Muskie fishing.

Dress? Our fish can cause stitches. Anything rednecks from Alabama can catch with their hands must not be too tough to catch. I'm just sayin.

[mrklean]

And I don't wear a dress so maybe I wouldn't like Muskie fishing.

All I know is that both Muskie and Catfisherman are very, very dedicated groups of anglers who care deeply about their respective fisheries. Both fisherman for both species are very patient, probably more than any other Minnesota fishermen.

agree with you 100% jeff i think both groups are very proud of what they fish for, and the stress we put on ppl to do CPR for skies and big cats. But i gotta say i dont know if they have a great place like HSO's Cat forum

[fishuhalik]

Dress? Our fish can cause stitches. Anything rednecks from Alabama can catch with their hands must not be too tough to catch. I'm just sayin.

You ever been stung by a channel? I'd rather get shot!

[bobbymalone]

I don't even see how you can compare the two other than big reels and heavy line. Waaay too different techniques and mentalities.

Dead on about the elitist attitude of some muskie fisherman though. They'll form a lynch mob if you catch one on live bait or lift it out of the water to unhook it.

[Jeffreyyy]

its all fishing, and i enjoy both. line in the waters a line in the water.

however, when im cattin i get to fish twice. once for bait, once for hogs. maybe i like catfishin better.

[Brad B]

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[MinnesnowtaWild]

I think what really lures Catfish guys and gals is the surprise of the rivers. Lakes are fun but in my opinion, they do not compare to being on any river at night in the dark. So many different elements when you're out there.

Muskies are more of a finesse type of fishing and Catfish are more of a sit and wait method.

The one thing that is the same is the Muskies and Catfish are both the top predators in the water they inhabit. But a part of me believes if Flatheads lived in lakes with Muskies, Flatheads would be at the top.

[Nick Kuhn]

You ever been stung by a channel? I'd rather get shot!

Ever watched blood shoot out your thumb a couple of feet because a muskie tooth gashed you down to the bone, rendering your thumb useless for about a week, and still have a scar from said injury?

[Ed Carlson]

Ever watched blood shoot out your thumb a couple of feet because a muskie tooth gashed you down to the bone, rendering your thumb useless for about a week, and still have a scar from said injury?

I'll show ya mine, if ya show me yours?

Have a 35 pound Channel cat crush and break 3 fingers once with one little love bite..CRUNCH...see how long that gets your attention for.

Try removing a 8 OT Gami Circle hook from the palm of your hand, or the side of your neck.

Have your fishing buddy pry a 40 pound trashing catfish from your chest to remove the fin spike it just hammered 2" into your chest with his head like a pole barn nail once. Then wonder.."Huh"..I wonder just how close that came to my heart.

Then just for fun, take a long drive to the dentist to extract 4 broken front teeth after a cat throws a 5 oz No Roll and it hits you square in the kisser at Warp 9.

.....just to name a few minor Kitty miladies I have experienced while Kitty Hunting...noting too major really.

$h@t happens, anytime you trophy fish.

Eventually you pay, to play sumo games.

It's all good, even when it hurts...just a little bit.

[hanson]

What do you feed those Red River Channels up there Ed? LOL! Thats an impressive list of battle scars.