Fishing is fun if you carry a proper piece of fishing equipment. Sometimes, it can be challenging to get what you need for the expedition. In this guide, I am going to highlight the best catfish rod and reel combo.
These combos are trusted by millions of people worldwide as they are best for the purpose. The article will touch on the pros and cons of each product.
There will also be a FAQ section that will tackle some of the questions that might be lingering in your mind. Please read through this article, and it will help you make a proper investment decision.
Top 5 Best Catfish Rod and Reel Combo Comparison in 2021
The 7 Best Catfish Rod and Reel Combo Reviews
1. Ugly Stik Catfish Combo Fishing Rod-Reel.
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The Ugly Catfish combo is ideal for medium-heavy spinning. You can comfortably use it to capture bigger catfish that would otherwise be a challenge to thin pieces of equipment.
It measures 7 inches long, making it even ideal for use in deep waters. Sometimes, catfish love resting beneath the water, and many rods and combos may not be able to capture it. With this product, that is not a big problem.
It has a tip that is clear and does not scare the fish away. The fish will not even realize the presence of the combo in the water. It is also sensitive. Whenever it catches the fish, a signal is relayed to the user instantly.
It is a product of stainless steel that is highly resistant to water and rust. The reel combo is, therefore, durable, and with proper care, it can serve you for several years.
Its handle is soft and comfortable. You can use it throughout the expedition without feeling any discomfort in the arm.
It has a durable aluminum spool that helps to keep the combo in proper working condition.
The product has one ball bearing and a one-way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing.
It comes with two-rod pieces, with medium-heavy power.
2. Abu Garcia Catfish Fishing Rod-Reel Combo.
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The Abu Garcia Catfish is ideal for catfish fishing because of the following attributes:
It has two stainless ball bearings that provide a lot of smoothness on the fishing rod. The rod, therefore, is comfortable to hold and use all through the fishing process.
It has a sensitive head that senses the presence of fish from a nearby distance. When the fish gets to the hook, the combo sends a signal to the user. The user then removes the equipment from the water and takes off the catfish.
It is also light, and one can use it for a longer time without feeling its weight. Less effort is needed to operate this combo, and hence it is not one cannot feel worn out easily.
The combo is durable because it is a product of stainless steel with a bold finishing style. It is also resistant to water and rust. If well taken care of, the combo can serve you for many years.
The rod-reel combo is specifically for catfish angling. You should consider buying this product if you want to do catfish fishing.
It is easy to clean and store after use.
The product has centrifugal brakes that apply consistent pressure on the hook for a more precise cast.
3. Richcat Fishing Rod and Reel Combo for Saltwater Freshwater Catfish.
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One of the best fishing rods and reel combo that I would recommend to any potential buyer is this Richcat Fishing Catfish Rod Reel Combo. It has several excellent features, including:
The rod and combo come with an illustrative guiding document on how to fish. It is one feature that none of the manufacturers have put into consideration. Apart from that, it also comes with a gear that is only common to this brand.
A long 7.9 feet rod and combo that makes it ideal for fishing in water that is slightly deep. It also comes with a pre-spooled size 22-pound test mono-filament line. The line is firm and can withstand the weight of the fish without giving up.
It has a chrome guide and a comfortable EVA handle that provides maximum comfort to the user throughout the exercise.
The product has two handles that make it ideal for fishing. One handle provides the effort while the other is for support.
The far end has a flag that is useful in identifying the species of the fish or the application.
It is very sensitive. The product relays signal instantly whenever it catches the catfish. It is also very light.
The combo durable because it is a product of stainless steel. It is also resistant to rust.
4. Shakespeare Alpha Fishing Rod and Bait Cast Reel Combo.
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The shakespear Alpha Fishing Combo is ideal for use in catfish fishing because of the following reasons:
It has EVA handle grips that offer a firm and comfortable holding throughout the process. You can comfortably proceed with your work without feeling an ache in the arms.
It is a low profile fishing rod and Bait cast reel Combo. The rod and combo offer excellent efficiency at a cheap cost. You are sure never to break your bank when you buy this product.
For a smooth performance, the product has multi-stop, and anti-reverse ball bearing that makes the user experience a smooth operation.
The product is very light. It is a product of graphite reels that come with a spooled 8-pound line for convenience.
The product comes with a rigging guide, a feature that is not common with other fishing rods. It offers valuable guidance to the user before they become professionals.
The tubular glass blank construction results in a receptive feel and rugged longevity that makes it long-lasting. It also has a fiberglass reinforcement.
The reel combo is ideal for use in freshwater where a lot of catfish live. It is long enough to be used in slightly deeper waters. It is 7 inches long.
5. Zebco 33 Platinum Catfish Combo.
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Next fishing rods-reel combo that I would recommend to any potential buyer is Zebco 33 Platinum Combo. The rod has several excellent features, including but not limited to:
It has two stainless ball bearings that make it very smooth. The rod, therefore, is comfortable to hold and use all through the fishing process. It does not harm or strain the arm all through the process.
The rod of this combo product is durable because it is a product of stainless steel. You can use it in salty water without any worry because it does not rust. It is also resistant to water, meaning that when you take it out of the water, it dries instantly.
The rod has a trigger rod with all metal body stainless steel covers that helps the rod to make precision shots on target. It also makes the product strong to handle even the largest fish.
This rod reel combo is purposely for catfishing. It is one product that I would highly recommend to anyone who has an interest in fishing. Apart from that, it can work well for general fishing. It is also ideal for deep water fishing because of its length.
6. KastKing Centron Spinning Reel – Fishing Rod Combos.
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The kastking spinning combo adds a lot of value to your work because of several factors, as explained below:
The rod & combo are very light and sensitive. It is a product of Toray IM6 Graphite Blanks that provides exceptional value at all angles.
They come as a pair of between 6 to inches long. This height is good enough to get the catfish from right under the water.
When it catches the fish, a signal is relayed immediately to the user through vibrations. It is very sensitive.
The combo and rod have contoured EVA handles and a fighting butt that provides a firm grip, especially when there is fish on the bait.
It handles provide a lot of comfort throughout the exercise. The split rear handles, on the other hand, are useful in providing support when pulling out the fish from under the water.
It is strong and durable because it is a product of stainless steel material that is resistant to rust and water. With proper care, it can serve for many years.
It has ball bearings and an anti-twist line roller. These, together with a smooth reel action is supported by a triple-disc felt very powerful drag system.
7. Shakespeare Complete Fishing Kit Spinning Reel & Rod Combo for Catfish.
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Shakespeare Fishing Combo is worth trying for catfish fishing because of the following qualities:
It comes as complete fishing set with Berkley Bait. This bait has been in use for several years, and it is trusted by many people worldwide. The bait is extra-sensitive.
It can sense the presence of a fish from a distance, and when it captures one, it immediately sends a signal to the user. The bait is ideal for use in heavy fishing, double the size of what is in the guiding document.
This product comes with a rigging guide, a feature that is not common with other fishing rods. It offers valuable guidance to the user before they become professionals.
It is durable because it is a product of stainless steel. Even when used in salty water, it does not rust. It is also resistant to water.
The rod is lightweight. It also has handles that are comfortable to hold throughout the session. The weight is negligible, and it does not make one feel exhausted.
It is ideal for use in freshwater where a lot of catfish live. The rod is long enough to be used in slightly deeper waters.
It is easy to clean and store it after the fishing expedition.
The Buyer’s Guide to pick up The Best Catfish Rod and Reel Combo:
Whenever you want to buy any product from the market, it is always advisable that you carry out a thorough market survey. One of the reasons for doing so is that it will help you select the best one while avoiding substandard products. That is the same case with the catfish rod and reel combo.
There are several brands in the market today, of which some are genuine, while others are not. So what do you look for in a product? How do you set out a product from the rest? Here is what to look out for:
⇒ Durability.
The weight and the size of the catfish vary greatly. Most of them weigh between 8 and 25 pounds. When fishing, you can use one rod for either of the fish. The rod that you buy, therefore, should be strong enough to withstand these weights.
In some cases, weighty fish such as small sharks might end up in the hook. If the rod is not strong enough, then it will not withstand its weight. Before buying a product, therefore, confirm its product specifications.
Get to know the maximum weight that it can tolerate and the best-recommended weight. It will guide you to understand how long the rod will remain useful.
⇒ The cost.
Different products come with different prices. The qualities of a product will determine its pricing. However, I would advise you not to make a decision basing on the costs. You should critically look at the other qualities of the product.
A rod might, for example, be of a high price, but this does not translate to being the best product by it being costly. It might also come at a low price but, that does not mean that it is of low quality. You have to compare what each product offer before you settle for the price.
⇒ The handles.
The rod should have handles that are soft and comfortable to hold. A fishing expedition might sometime be so rough, especially when you trap a wild fish. If you are not careful, the rod might even harm your hand. You should, therefore, look for one with contoured EVA handles.
Such type of handle is very comfortable for the user, and one can use it continuously for some time before feeling tired. Where possible, get one that makes for a provision to support the rod using the second hand.
⇒ Sensitivity.
Not all catfishing rods bear this characteristic. There brands that sense the presence of fish when it is nearby, while others relay a signal to the user when it traps the fish. These are some of the unique characteristics of the fishing rods.
Before you buy one, confirm whether it has these capabilities. For deep waters, sensing that a fish is on the hook could be a hard task. The rod should, therefore, relay a signal to the user. It should also give value for fishing at all angles.
⇒ The weight.
In some cases, it may take a very long time before one catches the fish. The user could get exhausted as they wait for their first catch. Things will even be worse of the rod is heavy. I would encourage you, therefore, to look for one whose weight is negligible.
A light product will lessen the effort that you will use while fishing. It will make the expedition a fun experience. You should, therefore, compare several fishing rods to pick the lightest of all.
⇒ The length.
Choose a rod with an appropriate length, depending on the depth of water that you will do the fishing. I would recommend one that is between 6 to 8 inches. However, the most appropriate length is 8 inches. This length is ideal for both shallow and deep fishing.
With this, you will not require to have more than one set of the fishing rod. You will, therefore, save on the costs of buying other equipment. However, if you intend to do shallow fishing, then you need one of 6 inches. It will perform to your expectations.
⇒ The power.
Catfish can sometimes be so wild. To do the work successfully, you will need a powerful or a stiff rod. If you happen to get hold of one that is wild, it may even bend or break the rod.
Where possible, look for a rod that is light, yet firm and stiff, especially the one with fiberglass reinforcement. Fiberglass never succumbs to pressure. It can slightly bend but never break. I would, therefore, advise you to buy this type of fishing rod, as it will give you a long term service.
⇒ Spinning reels.
Every person desires to have a rod with spinning reels. It makes you look like a professional fisher as it enables you to throw the bait at different angles. One does not take long to learn how to use the rods. I would, therefore, advise you to consider buying one that has spinning reels. It will increase your productivity when fishing.
⇒ Warranty.
The manufacturer can choose to either provide one or not. I advise buying one that is backed by a warranty. The best thing is to understand the warranty terms first. These include warranty inclusions and exclusions, the active period, and how to claim it, and so on.
You should also get to know the warranty exclusions and the factors that can invalidate the warranty.
It is worth noting that some catfishes may cause the bait to break, and it would be a bit costly to replace. Warranty, therefore, comes in handy to rescue the situation.
⇒ Ease of cleaning and storage.
After the day’s activities, you should clean the rod and keep it safe in preparation for the next session. Wash it with clean, fresh water. Do not use salty water as it will make it rust and less durable. After cleaning, wipe it dry and keep it safe. Cleaning it will preserve the freshness and beauty for the longest time possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
What kind of rod and reel should I use for catfishing?
There are several rods that you can use for this purpose. Among them are all the seven that I have highlighted in this article. However, there other rods apart from the seven that can work for this purpose. Some of them include:
- St. Croix Mojo.
- Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Reel, and so on.
Before you use a rod, first confirm the depth of water, the size of the catfish, and so on.
How do you rig a catfish pole?
The pole cannot be used on its own to do the fishing. Several other components have to be there. A combination of the pole, the rod, the reel, and the hook has to be complete.
The procedure is as follows:
- Secure a bell sinker of about 2 ounces to one ring of a barrel swivel.
- Cast the rig into the right place. The sinker will then hang on the bottom and hold the gear in place. It will remain in this position until the fish strikes it.
What is the best gear ratio for catfishing?
The most ideal and recommended ratio is 4:5 to 1. It is a matter of speed. A high-speed reel works best in picking up the line. The lower gear ratio will consume a lot of power while fishing. This ratio of 4:5 to 1 is speedy enough and ideal for catfishing.
How to care for the catfishing rod?
The rod needs a lot of care. After the day’s activities, it is advisable to clean it. Follow these steps:
- Wash the rod thoroughly with fresh water and soap.
- Rinse it thoroughly with hot water until all the soap is off, and until the water becomes clear.
- Leave it to dry completely.
- Make sure that the ferrules are clean. Wipe out the water and apply some grease or even wax.
- Examine the guides to establish whether there are any scratches.
- Service the rod often.
How long does a fishing rod last?
A good one can last for decades. It all depends on how you take care of it. The good thing is that they do not have an expiry date. If you carry out regular maintenance, then it can serve you even for up to 4 years. Sometimes, the tip may break, but this does not happen all the time. Take good care of it, and it will be there for you!
Conclusion.
Before you buy any product, you have to get all the facts about it. This guide is here to assist you on the same. It has information about the seven best catfishing rods and reel combo. The article also touches on the pros and cons of the products.
There is a user guide that mentions all that one needs to know before buying one. To sum it up, there is an FAQ section that attempts to answer all your questions.
I, therefore, recommend that you go through this guide several before you make an investment decision. It is an ultimate guide for your decision making.