SpiderLine? Rigging for cats, Problems?

[Guest]

Well I finally bought a Ugly-Stik Cat-Stik one of them heavy action 7foot buggers and matched it to one of my larger Shimano reels. I spooled it with SpiderLine Fusion 30 pound (15pound Dia.) Line.

I think this should be plenty heavy for most cattin on ther red but i have been wrong before. I noticed the line sounded somewhat abrasive when test casting this evening, is that normal and will it cause any problems?

Also, Rigging what are some of the prefered rigging setups? I used to use a Slip sinker ahead of a three foot 12 pound mono with a larger hook, hookstyle depended on the bait, you would toss it out, pull gently so it was taught and "felt" the line for bites. It worked but im always open to new suggestions.

Also Scott "Scoot" or ed if sometime your going out and wouldnt mind Id like to tag along to see how our pros do it. If not I also understand. Email me if you like.
[email protected]

I appreciate any input on this, thanks, Shawn

[Bruce]

BBQ. 30# test is a good choice for your mainline. I have 30# spiderwire on one of my cat rods and it works pretty well except it is hard to untangle and it really can cut your hands if you pull on it with your bear hands if you get snagged. (But who would be stupid enough to do a thing like that!!! Ouch!) I really like the 30# catfish line made by Berkley. It is fairly inexpensive and is a little easier to work with if you get your line tangled or snagged. For a leader, I would use 20# test and have your leader about 12 inches long. Long leaders tend to get caught in the current and tend to get snagged more than a shorter leader. For a sinker, i really like the flat slip sinkers. I usually use about a 2 ounce sinker and I put a large bead between my slip sinker and swivel. Cat fishing isn't "Rocket Science" but is just a lot of fun. Good luck BBQ and get out and give it a try. Remember there are many different ways to " Skin a Cat!" Bruce

[Bruce]

Something else I should have mentioned BBQ is the hook on the catfish setup. I have really gotten to like circle hooks for catfishing. A 6/0 or 7/0 Gamakatsu circle hook works great, but are a little spendy. Be sure not to set the hook when using a circle hook but rather just start reeling in "like a cat on a hot tin roof" when the cat starts to squeel you clicker. You don't gut hook as many fish with a circle hook and they don't seem to snag as easily as other hooks. A good place to get river tackle in Fargo is the bait and tackle shop on 10th street south and about 4th Avenue. The bait shop is in a garage behind the house. There is a sign in the front yard that you can see as you are travelling on 10th street. Bruce

[Guest]

Thank you Bruce for your replies, I never knew that there was a bait shop there, I appreciate your effort in helping us newbies when it comes to cattin

Shawn

[Guest]

I would also recommend you snap off the barb on the circle hooks, as you really do not need them. As Bruce mentioned you would cause far less collateral damage to the catfish, yet still hook them effectively, by using Gamakatsu circle hooks.

Scheels are to keep Gamakatsu octopus style circles in stock now, I nagged them to the point that they see they sell well so they will most likely try to keep them on the shelf.

Scheels should soon again have a good selection of No-Roll sinkers in stock. You will find them to be the most effective and far more snag resistant then egg sinkers.

------------------
Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html