What's your rod reel, etc. set up for using punch bait for eater cats?

I use a med heavy action rod reel and 25 lb test Berkley trilene big game with a double drop wire leader and a #4 Treble hook with Danny kings punch bait

Any old spinning rod I have,12lb test,#6 treble hook,set one up with a cork and another with a bottom rig and see what the fish like that day. You don't need anything fancy for catfishing. If room and rules allow,I would fish up to 6 rods from the bank. But if they are biting,only need 1 or 2

light action r&r I like 7ft first then 20# braid(this way ya straightin hook when hung up) slip cork or not, just enough split shot weight to make cork stand up 4,6.8 treble hook which ever ya like

Would a soft action rod be better for punch baits. Or does it matter?

I think a soft rod makes a lot of difference especially tight lining. I use to use it for punch (really dont use punch anymore since I found dough (Stubbys) Worms and Stubbys are my main channel cat bait plus some sour grain chum if I aint catchin um its time to move

I think you need a med heavy rod because when you get a fish its alot easier to bring them up to the bank without have to worry about breaking your line and the thicker line you put on their the more abrasion resistance you get and that can make a difference if you get a ten pound or bigger fish that is why I use bigger rod and reel most of the time for all my catfish ing

I use a cheapy med action spin cast balsa wood float about two feet away from my #4 treble hook with some cjs monster or shad punch bait . Works pretty good if that doesn't catch anything the fish aren't there and it's time to move . Keep hearing about this stubbys cheese bait tho need to try some out .

Medheavy spinning rod 2500 reel and 30 pound braid .

It doesn't matter what kind of rod you use as long as you got some STUBBY'S Cheese Bait on it !!!!

I've had good luck with Danny kings punch bait

I only use punch bait in bird roosts or rip rap. I like a graphite set up.

Any reel will work. I use a cheap 7' Berkeley Cherrywood. 15-20# mono.

For bird roosts- I pitch it weightless or with a small split shot and number 2 or 4 trebles typically, as they are usually aggressive here. If I have someone with me that isn't savvy then I'll put a float on theirs. 5-1 floatless-floated.

For rip rap- Number 6 treble hook, medium shot with a cigar float. I start right in the rocks and work my way out. Some folks like slip floats. I haven't seen an advantage. I keep it simple as possible for catfish.

Oh, I use Sureshot punch bait. Always gets the job done.

This! With and without a slip cork, #4,6 4x treble and of course my home made dough bait.

Give me a custom built spinning rod based on a 7 wt to 9 wt fly rod blank, a baitfeeder-type spinning reel, one of my slip corks; I like 12 lbs mono, generally homemade punch bait, whatever you want for weights.

Here in Alabama we don't have Cormorant roosts like you fellas have. Also rip rap is very shallow. It barely makes it into the water. I often find that channels and bluegill will bed right out in the middle of the river channel 20 ft down.

Any casting rod or reel will work. I caught 1500 channel cats in Fork in 2011 with the cheapest rigs I could get (usually from garage sales). To me braided line (30 lb test) with a #6 treble hook and an egg weight tied on above it works great. The braided line doesn't stretch and sometimes is superior in feeling the bite if fishing on the bottom (they often bite very lightly). I use my own punch bait (Catfish Candy available at Fisherman's One Stop if they still have it). Am not selling it anymore except on an individual basis to those who contact me.