Channel Catfish gear

Quick setup

Rod	Reel	Line	Leader
6 to 7.5 foot medium-heavy spinning, spincast or baitcasting rod for average fish. 7.5 to 10 foot medium-heavy to heavy for big ones.	Sturdy spinning, spincast or baitcasting reel with a smooth drag.	10 to 12 lb mono for fish of 3 to 8 lb; 15 to 20 lb for bigger cats.	12 to 24 inches of mono or fluorocarbon below a barrel swivel.

Rod, reel and line

Rod: 6 to 7.5 foot medium-heavy spinning, spincast or baitcasting rod for average fish. 7.5 to 10 foot medium-heavy to heavy for big ones.
Reel: Sturdy spinning, spincast or baitcasting reel with a smooth drag.
Line: 10 to 12 lb mono for fish of 3 to 8 lb; 15 to 20 lb for bigger cats.
Leader: 12 to 24 inches of mono or fluorocarbon below a barrel swivel.

Baits

cut bait
chicken liver
nightcrawlers
dead minnows
shrimp
prepared stink or dip baits

Rigs

Slip sinker bottom rig: egg sinker (about 1 oz, heavier in current), bead, barrel swivel, leader, and a hook from size 2 up to a 4/0 to 6/0 circle hook, matched to bait size.

Tips

Best from dusk to midnight and when water rises after rain. Deep holes, outside river bends and water below dams are good spots. Use a rod holder and keep the drag set.

Starter setup

A 5.5 to 7 foot light to medium-light spinning or spincast rod and matching reel, spooled with 6 lb monofilament. Spincast is easiest for beginners, and a 4 to 5 foot rod suits small kids. Carry size 6 to 10 hooks, a few split shot (pinched on 4 to 8 inches above the hook), small bobbers, a couple of small spinners and jigs, and worms. Learn the improved clinch knot and the palomar knot.

Light line casts farther and draws more strikes. Heavier line and stiffer rods are for bigger fish, heavy cover or sharp teeth, not for everyday fishing.

When to size up

Fish	Gear
Walleye, bass, saugeye, hybrid striped bass	medium rod, 8 to 12 lb line, 6 to 7.5 feet
Channel catfish	medium-heavy rod, 10 to 20 lb line
Northern pike	medium-heavy rod, 15 lb or heavier braid, steel or heavy fluorocarbon (40 lb+) leader
Muskellunge	heavy 7 to 9 foot rod, 50 to 80 lb braid, heavy leader
Trolling for lake trout and salmon	8.5 to 10.5 foot trolling rods, 15 lb mono or 30 lb braid, level-wind reels
Steelhead	8 to 10 foot or longer rods, 6 to 10 lb line
Lake sturgeon	heavy rod, 50 to 100 lb braid

Stocked in the last 2 years

52 waters with a stocking in the last 2 years.

Gear types only. Check your state's fishing regulations before you go.

Channel Catfish gear

Quick setup

Rod, reel and line

Baits

Rigs

Tips

Starter setup

When to size up

Stocked in the last 2 years

Arizona (7)

California (2)

Michigan (8)

Montana (1)

Texas (15)

Utah (3)

Washington (15)

Wisconsin (1)

Gear for other species