VIDEO: Having the right setup and gear for channel catfish is important to help catch them out of current and cover. James and Nick are out on the river fishing channel catfish and go over the kinds of equipment they prefer when fishing for them.
When fishing channel catfish near heavy cover like log jams, you need the right rod to pull, a powerful reel to crank, and a strong abrasion-resistant line to battle cats away from the cover.
According to James Lindner, “When you get a catfish nibble and set the hook, let the fun begin! Around log jams, you have to lean on the fish because they are trying to get back into the cover. I use 65 pound-test 832 Sufix braid for my mainline and a 25-pound test Sufix leader when fishing around log jams. I often use 3 to 5-ounce weights because I like to position and pin the bait close to the cover. An 8-foot extra heavy St. Croix Mojo Cat Rod with fast action enables me to make accurate casts. And when it comes time to go toe-to-toe with these bruisers, the rod has plenty of power for the battle.
Lindner teams the rod with Daiwa Lexa HD 300 and 400 reels. He feels the 7.1 and 8.1 gear ratio allows him to crank down on the fish at the beginning of the battle. “The combination of a powerful rod, reel, and no stretch line is more than enough to manage fish up to 20 pounds and get them in and out of thick cover.”
The features that have made the Lexa a staple in markets across the country have been supplemented and upgraded to offer the ultimate heavy-duty performance. An all-new upgraded Clutch System has been beefed up specifically to handle the rigors of big bait fishing. A new All Grease Bearing System keeps the reel running smooth and silent without sacrificing free-spool or distance. Complete with Stainless Steel Drive Gear & Pinion Gear, Aluminum Frame and Side Plate, and an Extended Counterbalanced Handle for maximum power and torque. Additionally, the 300 size has a redesigned frame for an added level of compactness and palm-ability.
As the ultimate performance catfish rods, Mojo Cat brings together SCII carbon and super-premium, 100% linear S-glass to present catfish with an irresistible action.
Features:
• Dynamic blend of premium quality SCII carbon and linear S-glass.
• Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with slim, strong aluminium-oxide rings and black frames.
• Fuji® ECS reel seat with a black hood on casting models.
• Fuji® DPS reel seat with black hoods on spinning models.
• Premium-grade cork handle.
• Kigan hook-keeper.
• Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish.
• 5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
• Built specifically for devoted channel, flathead, and blue catfish anglers.
Sufix 832 Advanced Superline is the strongest, most durable small-diameter braid on the market. R8 Precision Braiding and fiber technology provide superior strength, roundness, and line consistency. 832 Advanced Superline has eight fibers (7 HMPE fibers plus 1 GORE® Performance Fiber) and 32 weaves (pics) per inch. GORE® Performance Fibers improve abrasion resistance, increase casting distance & accuracy, and reduce line vibration. HMPE fibers provide high strength & sensitivity, hydrophobic water-repellent protection, and small diameter.
