Cat Rods

[Canuck]

Took a drive down to Cabelas yesterday and was really disappointed in the limited supply of rods specific for Cat fishing. I know I am picky in rods, as can anybody that has fished with me can attest to. There wasn't a single rod that I would have in my boat for our kitties. They were all so stiff one could use them to pole through the mud. What gives with thing that rod builders think cat fish rods have to be so stiff. Yes, I want a rod with good backbone but I find one needs a tip that you can feel them nibbling. I would love to take some rod reps out catfishing for a day and try and show them. I just gets so frustrating.

[Bowfinhunter]

Right on,
St. Croix's cat classic rod could land orca and they say cat guys won't spend money on high end equipment. They don't know what we want and need.
see ya,
Bowfin

[Ozzy169]

Oh so perfect there is a gentleman in the local area (Belle Plaine) that makes custom rods. MnRiverRat knows this fella, tell us more Andy!!

------------------
Puff-Puff-Pass

[Ed Carlson]

Eh Canuck...Scoots Dad (Rod Engel) makes a rod for sumo kitty's you just got to see. I had him condigure it up for me, just for fast water and Cork'n needs. A Very Cool Rod Eh!

Well worth a look if you need a stick to last a lifetime of hard use. I'll have one with in May for sure. I plan to be up on the 14th if all go's as I plan.

------------------
Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
[email protected]
701-640-2796
><,sUMo,>

[Canuck]

Eddy: Looking forward to swaping tales with you. The season opens on the 15th May NOT the 14th. I am on the water on the 15th with clients but might be able to sneak out early in the morning for little sumo fishing before 8AM. Maybe we can swap some rods for the day as well.

See U on the 14/15th.

[codeman]

Last couple of years I've been using a Fenwick HMG series, 6' 6" medium power rod(GS66M) and have no complaints. I can feel the taps but would like a little more back bone. I'm going to buy the Fenwick 7 foot, heavy power HMG rod this summer and give that a whirl.

[Ed Carlson]

We could do that maybe? You will want to put the rod to a test I am sure. It's a serious piggy puller Eh...Yup.

See ya then Eh.

------------------
Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
[email protected]
701-640-2796
><,sUMo,>

[MNRiverRat]

I'm going to try my uncles new line of cat rods. He is builging an asortment for the guys in the BP cat league to try. Should be darn fine rods. He's building spinning and casting rods. You'd have to talk to him about them though.

River Rat

------------------
"The Boat"
16' monarch flat jon 40hrs johnson

[Scoot]

Yup, my dad builds rods. I think a lot of guys shy away from custom rods because they think they'll be really expensive. My dad's rods cost about the same or often a little less than the rods you buy in stores (doesn't get sold to several middle men and doesn't have the huge mark-up that the big names have).
The rod he made for Ed Carlson is quite a rig- HUGE! It's a corkin' rod (Corkin' Sucks!- right Ed?) and was designed for huge hook sets that will take the slack outta the line when corkin'. He also makes a ton of other rods and has been doing it for almost 20 years. If anyone's interested, let me know- I'll put you in contact with him. Lots of guys here at FM.com that are really happy with his work.

------------------
Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[Canuck]

Scoot: I hope to try Eddie's this weekend and will let U know. I am not real big in corkin (I know corkin sucks, not really) as I find too many clients can't cast baitcasters.

[Scoot]

I believe that. Lots of people are used to spinning reels only. Others can only manage an closed face reel.
One thing to keep in mind with the rod Ed has for corkin'- it's a beast! Blanks that match Ed's request in a one piece and fiberglass are pretty heavy. If you're interested in a similar rod, you can get one in a two piece with similar meat, but considerably lighter. Ed'll look like Popeye after chuckin' that bugger for a weekend!

------------------
Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[Canuck]

I like a little longer rod than normal, something in the 8 6 or 9ft range. The tip, about 2' has to be and I mean has to be very sensitative but then there has to be backbone for the remainder of the rod to stand up to these kitties.

I use strictly baitcasters, (Abu 7s and 6500s) as they are the only thing that stands up day after day.

Alot of people really like the cork handles but I find they can get slippery after a while and have no problem with that other stuff (have no idea what it is). If it gets alittle slippery I a quick dunk in the river and it is good to go again.

[Canuck]

That Euro rod thing sounds like a hint, yes no. Well, like I said 2 yrs ago we will head out for those sturgeon sometime. Needless to say we havn't been out for them YET but as soon as we find out I will let U know and we will head out for a morning, or night.

I totally agree for corkin one would want a rod with lots of backbone as U have to set that hook and fight good current. Anybody that thinks one rod fits all situations is missing the boat completely.

The forcast for Tuesday is storm warnings, snow storm. The forcast is the pits until Friday when it will hit a high of +10 C. Bring your longjohns. Tomorrows high is +1C, yes +1.

Watched the cats busting the surface today and it sure gets your blood pumping.

[Ed Carlson]

The "Cork'n Sucks Special" was set up as a special needs cat rod. Since your sight fishing while Cork'n and the hook-set is a big part of it all, I shot for more beef on the blank. It is considerably stiffer then I would use for in-line circle hook fishing for sure. I like E-glass MH rods in 7-8' for those situations. I have an 11' Euro Rod for more finess fishing with longer drifts if need be. I want to tusle with a big sturgie on that stick yet....Weeee.Haaaa!

For the Flathead angler who wants to put the beef to the hook/fish, the "CSS Rod" it is a very good match.

I see it as a good Shoot Fishing Rod too as you often need that extra beef to slam it home and fight strong flows.

I'll get it in your hands for a while Canuck so you can see what it is all about. I think you may like it?

------------------
Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
[email protected]
701-640-2796
><,sUMo,>

[barnyard]

I've been using salmon rods and flippin stiks for cats and really like them. The salmon rods work great for channel cats on lighter line (12 lb test or so) and the flippin stick works well for larger fish.

I'm hoping to go after flatheads this summer and am figuring on using a softer 8 ft muskie rod with an Abu 7000. The muskie rod is a custom job that I won in a raffle, but it is similiar to something that would be used for throwing big bucktails or spinner baits.

For channel cats though, it seems to be really hard to beat a 8.5-9 foot salmon rod. There are lots of weights and actions available, plus most are available in spinning and casting versions.

Tom B

[Lost]

When it comes to material in a cat rod, what is prefered? Glass? Carbon? Or a composite? I've got me a baitcaster that's rated heavy duty... 6'7" Rapala, extremely lightweight and says 15-30 lb line.

[Cooter]

Have used musky rods for flatheads and they work just fine. Just stay away from the short and heavy jerk bait rods. The 7' and 7'6" rods for cranks and bucktails work great. Pair these up with an Abu (with clicker) and 80lb braid and you got rigs for both muskies and cats. I agree that most 'cat' rods aren't worth a darn. Often unbelievably big and heavy. My brother and roommate just got the cabela's Phil King sig. series of King Kat rods. These are graphite and thus lightweight, look like they're built tough. The 7'6" feels about right, haven't been out to try it, but am sure it'll lob a 'gill and tame a flatty. You can get these as a combo with an Abu CB for $90. Lastly, if you know someone who builds rods, have them make you one from a St. Croix fiberglass musky blank. Great for flatheads as well as musky trolling or sucker rigs. Can't wait to toss out a fat bluegill!

[korn_fish]

Cooter - Are gills legal in WI? I thought they were only legal down in IA around these necks of the woods

[This message has been edited by korn_fish (edited 05-17-2004).]

[Ed Carlson]

Eh Scoot, That "Cork'n Special" worked AWSOME! I needed that extra backbone too!

I slammed a bunch of sumo Kittys on it this weekend. Be sure to tell Rod at Rods by Engel it is a real hit.

A lot of interest in that set up too. Plus one a bit longer and a bit softer. We will work on that next.

A supper rod! Very Kewl!

------------------
Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
[email protected]
701-640-2796
><,sUMo,>

[Cooter]

Korn - I sure hope so cuz I've been using them for years. In WI you can use any legal fish for bait as long as it was caught in the same body of water. In other words you can't catch gills in one lake and then take em to the river for bait. Where I fish a lot there is a 14-18" slot on walleyes. When I catch a 10 incher, I string it up on a QS rig for muskies while I'm fishin and even have used them as cat bait, along with perch(caught a 25 pounder). Typically I plan on an hour and half before dark to catch gills and perch. Is fine on the reservoir, but almost impossible on rivers. Wish I could find a place to catch bullheads.

[Wiskers]

Canuck.. that rod you had.. man that was the bomb.. !!!!!!!!!!! Now why in the world would they stop making such an awesome piece of equipment..???

I had soooooooooo much fun up there.. It was a real honor to have you and Stu in the boat sunday...you really made my day..

thanks for the tips..

Rusty

------------------
Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Scoot]

Ed,

Sounds like my pops talked with Stu for a while after you were up there. I think he's interested in getting one too.

It also sounds like you guys knocked 'em pretty good, eh? My dad's hearing all the reports and chompin' at the bit to get up there. I'd like to join him, but it's not in the cards right now. Doing anything locally, catwise that is?

------------------
Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[MNRiverRat]

Looking for cat rods? Check out the guys at www.midwestrodandreel.com I've heard through the grapevine that they are building a line of high quality custom cat rods. I was just on their web site and cat rods aren't listed yet, but get in touch with them. I'm going to be buying one shortly. Can't decide on another flatty or channel rod though....

Rat

------------------
"The Boat"
16' monarch flat jon 40hrs johnson

[Ed Carlson]

Yup, I think Stu and your Dad need to do a sit down type chin wag Eh. Stu was interested and I think some Flatheaders who seen it were very-very curious too. That quality of work sure catch the anglers eye, and big fish too!

A 7.5’ with a slower tip would word great too in the system, with the “Roberts Wrap”. I still see a 3 rod system there and with Stu's input your Dad will surely be able to design a winner.

I am busy most night these days Scoot...but we need to get out soon before late June.

If you need to reach me during the week the best way is to try calling me at 701-281-0450 after 10:00 PM and up tell 6:00 AM.

------------------
Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
[email protected]
701-640-2796
><,sUMo,>