After reading all the reports on blue cats, I need a little help.
What's the best setup as for as rod, reel and line?
Do you use a steel leader? Best type hooks? What size weight?
Also, are the bigger cats good to eat?
Thanks
NB

You will get many different answers but the best set up is the one that works for you. Mine is a Rippin Lips M/H rod with a MY60 reel. As for terminal tackle, I use 20lb main and 40lb leader with 6/0-8/0 wide gap circle hooks. Sinker weight depends on current. I usually use a 2oz with a sinker slide.

Good luck.

The tasty ones are the small ones (5-7lbs). Leave the big ones to fight another day.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/7318733/1

Eat the ones 2-10 lbs, release the bigger ones to Breed.

This is what Chad Ferguson has to say about it:

Catfishing Gear

Catfishing Rods

While I don't do as much catfishing as many here do, I catch my share of blues at certain times of the year.

I boat fish, and use spinning gear for the most part.

I have grown fond of Ugly Stick GX2 7' MH rods, paired with Okuma Avenger 50abf baitfeeder reels. The baitfeeder feature is not necessary, but is a great option to have if you ever want or need it. If not, it doesn't disturb the normal function of the reel, simply don't use it.

I run 20lb Big Game mainline with a 30lb flourocarbon leader. Egg sinkers from 1/2 to 1 oz depending on conditions, quality swivels of course, and I personally like good Octopus hooks from 4/0-6/0 (I use Gama's). I also put split rings on the hooks to tie to, hookups are much more consistent and it seems to find the corner of the mouth better. I fish cut bait almost exclusively.

Now what I use is what I have found to to work well for me. No doubt there are infinite combinations of gear, and no way do I claim my setup to be the best for any reason. I'd even half expect someone to come on here and tells us how I'm doing it all wrong, lol. It just works for me, and has worked well for guests when they come along. Many fish up to and over 50lbs have come to the boat with the above rigs, and countless "eaters". By the time I spool up one of these rigs I have about $100 in it. So it doesn't break the bank either. This rig can also pull double duty as a live bait striper/hybrid rig as well, although I usually run a little lighter line for that purpose.

I also advocate the release of fish over 10lbs. Those under 10lbs are better eaters to me, so we return the big'uns to fight another day and keep the lake full of eaters.

Thanks for all the information.

I sent you a PM

Forward Tex's PM to me. I want to learn!

As far as rods go, getcha some shimano tdr's, in lengths 7ft to 9 .5 feet depending how many rods you want out. The good thing is the tdr's are around 30$ a pop, and they have a medium fast action which is perfect for circle hooks. They're meant for trolling/downrigging for salmon and striper, but I've seen a video of guy catching an 8 ft tarpon from a kayak with one, so they're pretty strong. The biggest fish I've caught so far on one of these rods was a 30-35 lb buffalo and it performed flawlessly.

Since the rods are cheap, you have more money left for some reels. For line I prefer braid, because you don't have to change line out as much, and I'm more comfortable casting it as opposed to mono. It's up to you though.