Find a rock wall like the one in the above image and most of the time you find catfish, especially if the wall has an overhanging muscadine vine near it, the catfish devour those when they are in season.
A healthy channel cat
using my 7 ½ ft. microlight.
My 7 ½ ft. microlight
spinning rod paired with the Pflueger President XT spinning reel which spools 4
to 6 lb. test line. Today I was using my 6 lb. test extra spool which came with
the reel. The balance on this combo parallels the balance I go for on my fly rod
combos, super light, and sensitive.
Gulp catfish chunks split
into and served up on a size 12 true turn hook; I know most everyone fishes for
catfish using heavier equipment, but I prefer the challenge and fight that this
fish will give one using an inferior combo and in this case the microlight
works to perfection for me. In fact, it is the closest I can get to my fly rod on
trips like today.
Every once in awhile a
spot will nail the gulp chunk which is another challenge for the microlight that
it passes. I ended the morning with 5 catfish all basically the same size as my
post image and the one spot. The spot got its freedom, but the catfish were not
so lucky. My wife and I seldom eat fried meals, but we make an exception when it
comes to fresh catfish fillets.
You've put a bee in my bonnet Bill. I drug out my several spinning rods and reels and actually put my ultra-light rig in the car next to the fly rod. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen you said Micro Light Spinning Rod my first thought was the old
ReplyDelete4 1/2 foot brush rod with a Mitchell 308 on it. I found it difficult, if not impossible, to land 3 pound Rainbows or 5 pound Shad on this rod. Yours seems to do the job, though.
Bill, as you know based on our conversations, I am "All In" on fishing with Micro Light Spinning Rods. I have a birthday just around the corner and will be adding one of the longer spinning rod and reel combos to my gear. For the type of fishing I am able to do on a consistent basis, this is ideal.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm a fly-fisher only, I can imagine how much fun it is to play the likes of a catfish on very light spinning equipment, as long as the fish is pulled in before complete exhaustion. Does the muscadine vine (which I'm not familiar with) produce berries that fall in for the cats?
ReplyDeleteI love using my ultralight rod. It's seen a lot of crappie, including some 14-inchers, but it's also seen its fair share of nice bass. Glad to see others enjoying the fun gear :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like that rod has some backbone.
ReplyDeleteHoward
ReplyDeleteYou never know on those slow days what the ultra light will land. Thanks for the comment
Mark
ReplyDeleteI think you would like the 7 1/2 ft. version when fishing for some of those trout at the different lakes you fish for out there. It is close to the 7 1/2 ft. fly rod. Thanks for the comment
Mel
ReplyDeleteYou will not regret the purchase, I feel you will be hook on long rod spinning gear. Thanks for the comment
Walt
ReplyDeleteThe muscudine vine produces a small round juicy berry that is extremely sweet. It falls in the water at a dead ripe stage with a super sweet smell that drive the catfish batty. Find one and most of the time you find catfish. Google muscudine---thanks for the comment
Argo
ReplyDeleteI use my micro light for crappie as well in the spring and yes it is a blast landing crappie using the longer spinning rod. Thanks for the comment
Alan
ReplyDeleteJust enough to land some nice eating catfish. Thanks for the comment
I'm sure this is a blast. i have to get a micro light like that.
ReplyDeleteJuan
ReplyDeleteUsing the micro light is similar to the fly rod, light and sanative. Thanks for the comment
Really informative post, thanks for sharing. Your choice of fishing rod reel combos and line will depend on the fishing technique that you choose. It is very common for most fishermen that vary their fishing techniques to carry several different fishing rod combos that are already set up with specific lures or live bait rigs.fishing spinning combos
ReplyDelete