My name is Todd, and I'm an angliholic...

Greetings My Fellow Addicts,

My nieces husband wants me to build a catfish rod for his father's birthday. They live in Florida, and I live in Montana, so obviously, my knowledge of catfish is fairly limited. Any recommendations as to a blank, guides, grip, etc. I have not even begun to shop for parts yet, and have very little info as far as what size cats they catch, and where, but I would like to get it right the first time.

Any help at all would be much appreciated.

Todd,
Just go and cruise stores or catalogs. Hundreds of cat fish rods of every sort and description. Generally, longer, heavier, flexible tips, quite often fiberglass for durability and flexibility. No need for any high end guides either.

Lots of time, if shore fishing the rod is kept in a rod stand that is jammed into the bank. If on a boat, the rods are often in rod holders as well, waiting for a bite, so EVA and similar type grips are in order.

But, unless there is some real reason for a special build; one can buy a fine cat fish rod for just a few $$.

Good luck

p.s.
A very good article on catfish and equipment for same:

[www.catfishedge.com]

There are many species of catfish differing greatly in size. The most commonly caught catfish in Florida is the gaff topsail catfish which averages about a foot and a half in length and a pound and a half in weight.

Phil, correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that a salt water catfish? If so I rather doubt anyone wants to catch them on purpose.

Lots of freshwater fishing for flathead, channel, and blue. Whites and bullheads in some places. Rod needed would depend greatly on what they are targeting and how they are fishing.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

[www.youtube.com]

[www.youtube.com]

[www.youtube.com]

[www.youtube.com]

A few examples of rods and techniques used to catch various catfish.