Best Catfish Rods-Complete Reviews & Buying Guide

Fishing is a healthy activity, and catfish fishing is the most common and popular type in the modern world. It is most common because catfish are often caught using easy and simple techniques if you are an avid angler. It might be tricky to catch catfish if you are new in this field. Moreover, it is a bit tricky because catfish are slippery, and locating them is more tricky in the summer. To catch the catfish, you must have professional gear and the Best Catfish Rods. I have wasted a lot of money on the gear. I tried different types of rods to catch them. So, today I’m going to review the rods that I have used.

Casting rods offered multiple types of actions when I paired them with a baitcasting reel. After pairing them with reels, these rods are perfect for fishing with heavier lines and weight.

List of Top 7 Best Catfish Rods

We have selected the top 7 best catfish rods after

1-Abu Garcia® Catfish Commando Spin Combo

This was my first combo rod with a reel. It is suitable for new anglers, and the best part is that it offers easy control. Furthermore, it is easy to learn, and it casts smoothly. The rod is specially designed for the catfish, and I used it for both small and giant catfish. It works smoothly with small catfish. If you are casting giant catfish, you have to apply more force. So, I recommend it for the small catfish.

On the other hand, once I paired the reel with another heavy-action rod with a gear ratio of 5:1.1, it gave me a fantastic experience. With a little force, I could catch large catfish smoothly.

Moreover, it is very well-made and sturdy. To make the reel smooth, it has 2 stainless steel bearings. These bearings give an additional smoothness to the reel during casting. Besides, the best part of the reel is that I didn’t feel any irregular pressure during the casting as it has a 6-pin centrifugal bracket. This 6-pin centrifugal bracket is for consistent pressure. So, when the pressure is consistent throughout the casting, it gives an outstanding experience and smooth casting. The level wind system is synchronized with a compact bent handle to make it more efficient.

As it told you, it is a durable rod, and yes, at the same time, it is lightweight as well. I didn’t feel any extra weight or something heavy during casting. Further, this combo reel and rod work great in the nighttime and have outstanding clarity. It has adequate transparency where there is low visibility.

This bold styling rod comes with a dimension of L x W x H ‎88 x 6 x 5 inches. The rod length is 7 feet which is reasonable with a line rating of 15 to 30 pounds. So, give it a try if you are a newbie and looking for the Best Budget Catfish Reel with a rod that has all the standard features to get an exceptional fishing experience.

2-St. Croix Avid Graphite Spinning Fishing Rod with IPC Technology

Get a hand on this one of the Best Catfish Rods that is highly versatile and gives you an exceptional fishing experience. This rod is highly versatile and allows you to fish wherever you want, from the bank, river, lake, and cast from the shore. Further, it is suitable for all-day fishing and is specially designed for devoted anglers. Fishing is my hobby, and whenever I have some free time, I go fishing with this highly versatile rod whenever I have a new experience.

I don’t feel exhausted with this rod as it has a highly comfortable cork handle that gives me a powerful grip while fishing. It allows you to maintain the balance. Moreover, the best part is that this rod is available in different styles and weights. Ultra-light to extra-heavy weight is available, and the weight of the rod affects the action. And it depends on you which one you choose for yourself. I preferred lightweight rods as they are easy to handle and maintain. But I want to try the medium rod as well. Medium rod also has a moderate weight and is easy to handle.

Rods are classified by their action, determined by where they flex along the blank. The tip of faster action rods flexes more than the rest of the rod. There is a flex in the middle of the bank for rods with moderate action. Rods with a slower flex down into the lower area. So, choose according to the lure’s weight and the line’s size for precise results.

This rod is highly sensitive, which makes it more effective. Besides, it is highly durable as it is designed with top-quality SCIII carbon and FRS. SCIII carbon and FRS give the rod absolute sturdiness and durability, so it works for a long time. The rod profile is slim and comes with an IPC technology (Integrated Poly Curve) that offers smooth casting.

The rod I used has a medium weight that offers fast action with a length of 6 feet. It weighs only 3.4 ounces with a lure weight of 3/16 to 5/8 ounces, and the line weight is 6 to 12 pretty reasonable pounds. The dimensions are L x W x H ‎72 x 3 x 3 inches.

3-Championship Catfish Rod

Try this rod if you are not a regular angler and do fishing only for fun. I’m saying this because this rod is very efficient and works smoothly, but it is not as durable as the rods mentioned above. It has an average life span. Plus, this rod comes with a lifetime warranty. So, register it right after your purchase and enjoy the new rod in case of damage at just 50% of MSRP. Give it a try for precise results in the day or nighttime.

Furthermore, it is one of the Best Catfish Rods with a heavy backbone and highly sensitive tip. I cast day or night whenever I wish as there is a high visibility florescent tip.

It is a medium-heavy rod to catch all types of catfish. While casting to channel cats, it will set circle hooks on big blues and flatheads due to its sensitive tip and heavy backbone. This rod is suitable for heavy catfish as I cast a heavy catfish by applying a little force.

This rod comes in 2 pieces which comprise fiberglass and offers easy transportation. I can easily place it in my car as it is in 2 pieces and has a low profile. Moreover, I don’t have to deal with awkward positions with double-footed stainless steel guides. And I don’t have to worry about thick braided lines getting rubbed.

It comes with 8 guides and offers an easy and quick lineup. It is pretty simple to control this rod as it has an EVA foam grip. Besides, it offers easy maintenance and cleaning after the casting. The rod has a glossy fiberglass finish that is quite easy to wash and wipe.

It is the Best Catfish Rod for Bank Fishing, and I cast this rod on the bank of the river while boating and trolling, as it comes with a hard rubber butt. On the other hand, its 13-inch width allows me to transfer leverage throughout my body as I tuck it under my arm.

The rod length is 7 feet and 6 inches with a line weight of 10 to 50 pounds, allowing me to cast far. The lure weight of the rod ranges from 1 to 4 ounces.

4-Okuma, Record Chaser Catfish/Alligator Gar–Best Catfish Rod for 2024

Experience this one of the Best Catfish Rods for 2024, specially designed for fresh water. It is one of the most versatile rods that allows me to cast many species other than catfish. I can cast paddlefish, sturgeon, and alligator gar as well. Furthermore, I feel this rod has more lifting power and strength as compared to the other rods available in the market. The tip of the is 3 times more responsive as it has Okuma’s Ultimate Flex Reinforcement technology.

To make the rod more sensitive and responsive, it got a particular 24-ton carbon blank. This 24-ton carbon blank makes it responsive and gives the rod additional power, sturdiness, and strength. On the other hand, it is very easy to control and use. It offers a comfortable and sturdy grip as EVA foam grips enable me to drag the catfish smoothly and quickly without hitches.

I never faced popping issues with this rod, as the manufacturer designed it well. So, to prevent inserts from popping, stainless steel tip guides are welded together. Besides, titanium oxide inserts in stainless steel deep press guide frames.

The rod has 2 pieces that offer easy and quick transportation. The rod length is 7 feet and 6 inches which enables me to cast so far, while the fore grip length is 6 inches, and the rear grip length is 13 3/3 inches. And the number of guides is 7, which makes the rod quick and casts smoothly.

The line rating is 12 to 30 pounds, perfect for me, with a lure weight of 1 to 4 ounces.

5-Berkley Big Game Casting Fishing Rod-Best Catfish Rod

Get a hand on this one of the Best Budget Catfish Rods that is easy to operate and suitable for beginners. This rod offers an easy and quick setup. I can seat the reel in the rod without any issues, and it snugly fits in the reel. Further, when I used it for the very first time, I felt the rod was way too strong compared to the standard rods. The lure weight of the rod is rated 1 to 4 ounces, but it gives me a feel of 8 ounces. So, I feel this is way too solid.

My line was rigged with 60 pounds braid, but the line rating is 12 to 30 pounds. I think it would be impossible to do this with 12 12-pound line. As far as feel goes, this rod has the feel of a 50 to 80-pound line rod. According to the description, the rod has a medium/heavy action rod, but I felt it is a heavy/heavy action rod. The tip of the rod is sensitive but flexible. It enables me to cast up to 80 pounds of catfish.

Moreover, the construction is well as it is made of fiberglass, and the guides are straight and work effectively. The guides can offer easy and smooth casting. These guides comprise a stainless steel frame along with aluminum oxide inside.

The handles of the rod offer a comfortable grip, and they are fully rubberized and shrink-wrapped for angler ease. So, give it a try and enhance your fishing skills before going for a big game. This rod does not work great for a big lure.

The rod length is 7 inches with a dimension of L x W x H ‎44 x 3 x 3 inches.                                                   

6-St. Croix Premier Spinning Rods-Best Catfish Rods

This time on our list is a rod from St. Croix which is the Best Rod for Catfish. These rods are available in different sizes for your ease. Furthermore, these rods are highly versatile and durable. The rod price is a bit high compared to the standard rods available in the market, but every penny you spend pays off. This rod is highly versatile and allows you to fish wherever you want, from the bank, river, lake, and cast from the shore. It is suitable for all-day fishing and is specially designed for devoted anglers.

Moreover, the best part is that this rod is available in different styles and weights. Ultra-light to extra-heavy weight is available, and the weight of the rod affects the action. And it depends on you which one you choose for yourself.

You will not feel drained while this rod as it has a highly comfortable cork handle that gives you a full grip throughout the fishing. It allows you to maintain the balance. On the other hand, it comes with a Kigan Master Hand 3D guide. These guides have potent rings comprising aluminum oxide and have a black frame finish. Plus, the profile of the rod is slim.

The rod weight is only 5.5 ounces with a 6-inch handle length. In addition, the lure weight is ¼ to 5/8 ounces, and the line weight is 6 to 12 ounces, giving a fantastic experience.

Depending on where a rod bends along its blank, it is classified as having a particular action. For rods with a moderate action, the middle of the bank flexes. For rods with a moderate action, the middle of the bank flexes. So, choose according to the lure’s weight and the line’s size for precise results.

This rod is highly sensitive, which makes it more effective. Besides, it is highly durable and comprises top-quality SCIII carbon and FRS (Fortified Resin System). SCIII carbon and FRS give the rod absolute sturdiness and durability, so it works for a long time. The rod profile is slim and comes with an IPC technology (Integrated Poly Curve) that offers smooth casting.

The rod length is 7 inches and 6 feet, so cast as far as you can, and the rod’s action is medium to fast. Lastly, the weight of the rod is 0.35 pounds with dimensions of L x W x H ‎ ‎90 x 3 x 3 inches.

7-Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Fishing Rod

The last on our list is one of the most durable and Best Catfish Rods. I have had this rod for years, and it is still working well. When I used it for the first time when I was not an avid fisherman, it gave me a heavy feel. But with time, I felt it was a well-balanced rod with a lightweight feel. Furthermore, I’m using this rod with Zebco reels, and it works effectively. It doesn’t work great with a high-end reel. So, if you have a high-end reel, use the above-mentioned St. Croix rods. They go perfectly with them.

The rod’s grip is very good and fits in my hand perfectly as it has an EVA grip. EVA grips are the most robust and lightweight, so you can cast smoothly and easily without losing the chance.

A strike is really noticeable when the black rod has a light-colored tip. Besides, it comprises fiberglass and graphite, which make it highly durable, and my rod has never broken on me, even after catching some decent-sized fish on it. The rod has a decent sensitivity but is not as sensitive as the rods, as mentioned earlier. Moreover, the best part of this rod is that we can use all types of lines, including braid, with this rod, which has new stainless steel guides that eliminate insert pop-outs.

There is no spare spool with the rod. Plus, the rod has 7 years of warranty for the satisfaction of avid anglers. The rod’s dimensions are L x W x H 2.1 x 1.7 x 67.3 inches, with a line rating of 8 to 20 pounds. The lure rating of the rod is ¼ to 5/8 pounds. This rod is available in multiple sizes.                    

Buying Guide:

Catfish are famous and can easily be found all around the year. The places to find them are clear or dirty water and hot and cold waters; further, you can find them in either swift rivers or creeks and ponds. According to many professional anglers, catching a catfish has never been easy. For this reason, you need to have The Best Catfish Rods that offer some of the features we have mentioned below for you to consider.

Budget

The first feature worth mentioning is the price tag with which these rods come. There are a number of rods out in the market, and their price range varies from 50-350. And for this reason, one should keep in mind the amount they are going to spend on these rods. It is only due to the fact that these rods offer some of the perfectly crafted features that aid anglers in enjoying their catch in the waters.

Material

When it comes to material, anything that offers a sturdy and durable material should be preferred. For that, we have considered almost different rods, and among those, fiberglass and graphite material rods prove their worth. Furthermore, there are some rods in the market that offer both materials in a single rod. But then you need to keep a close watch on the price tag that might seem a staggering amount to you considering it a just a fishing rod.

Rod Action

The second worth-mentioning feature of a rod is its rod action. The rod action is dependent on the size of the catfish that you intend to catch. If you are in the open waters and keeping your eyes on the big prize, you must have a heavy-duty action rod for your adventures. Apart from heavy, there are small and medium-sized catfish that can easily be curtailed with the help of a medium rod.

Power

The power of a rod or the strength of the rod while fishing is one and the same thing. Professionals and old-timers in fishing like to enjoy their catch with those rods that offer sheer power when it comes to lowering the bait. Normally these fishing rods are divided into many categories light, medium, and heavy. You can also further categorize them as light-light and light-medium. 

After experiencing these rods, we have taken into consideration this feature. And we conclude that newbies should not go for a heavy power rod the first time. This will only disrupt their fishing experience altogether. They should consider going out with the medium-heavy. Moreover, professionals can enjoy their catching season by having a heavy rod.

Handle Length

Then comes the handle length, another key feature for enjoying a perfect catch for your prize. The handle aids in keeping a firm grip on your rod while you are focusing on the catch. The length of the rod means that there is more space for you to hold the rod under your arms, which provides extra power and cushion during your hunting.

Line Weight

The line weight for any of these rods we have reviewed for you depends on the nature of the catch you are going for. If you are going to win a prize, you need to consider the weight of the fish and then decide on the line weight. For example, if you consider having a catfish of 50 lbs, you need to have a rod line weight that perfectly matches the requirements. But if you are looking for a catch less than these weights, you might go for a lighter line.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Catfish Rods

• What test curve for catfish?

You must have a rod with a test curve of 2.5 to 3.5 pounds to catch catfish. For this, you must have a solid reel loaded with 200 m of 15 pounds minimum so that you can catch catfish easily. Further, the hook you use must be abrasion-resistant. You can also use a single hook, but make sure that the hook will have a considerable size and power.

• What action rod is best for catfish?

Usually, we recommend using a rod that has medium or medium-heavy action. Medium-heavy action rod works effectively for blue, channel, and flathead catfish.

• What size rod is best for catfishing?

If you are fishing in freshwater, then you must have a rod with a length of a minimum of 6 feet. Besides, for the catfish, the rod must b lengthy, and the minimum length must be 7 feet. So, choose a rod with a length of up to 10 feet for catfish.

• What size line for catfish?

Usually, the common size for catfish is 12 pounds line. There’s no line-shy behavior in catfish, so you can use either light or heavy fishing lines depending on the situation. For all-around use, monofilaments with a small diameter and high strength are the perfect choices at an affordable price of 15 to 25 pounds. Additionally, it may be necessary to upgrade to 30 to 40 pounds, or even 80 pounds tests when hunting the big game.

• Are graphite rods good for catfishing?

Graphite rods are a good choice for catfishing, but they are not very strong. Composite rods are stronger and more sensitive as compared to graphite rods. On the other hand, graphite rods have a higher price than composite rods. Composite rods are a bit expensive but they are worth every penny.

• Which are the Best Catfish Rods?

According to my personal experience, the top 3 rods are;

1. St. Croix Avid Graphite Spinning Fishing Rod with IPC Technology

2. Okuma, Record Chaser Catfish/Alligator Gar

3. St. Croix Premier Spinning Rods

These are highly versatile, powerful, durable, and sensitive.

Final Verdict:

To sum up, I hope you know enough about the rods to catch the catfish easily. There are different techniques to catch the catfish smoothly and choose the Best Catfish Rods for yourself. I reviewed the rods that I used and had an amazing experience.

The rods I mentioned above are reliable and have the best in their way. These rods also have some drawbacks, but they don’t make the rod useless. Moreover, I tried different rods that are available in the market and reviewed them, so the different anglers choose the rod according to their need.

These are the latest rods with all the traits that one needs for fishing. These rods are highly sensitive, have long and comfortable handles, and are durable, versatile, efficient, and powerful. Some of them are highly versatile and you can use them for spinning fishing, trolling, and casting.

Choose the right one according to your needs, have fun, and let us know about your experience.                      

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