I went fishing for cats and hooked into one and it snapped my line. Hooked into a smaller one and it pulled drag till the hook slipped out. I was using a rod I use for bass (all I have) and was wondering what a good setup would be for beginners. I'm not looking for anything hi tech just something that will bring big ones in without it breaking. I don't want to spend more than 80 but if I have to I can go to 100 bucks. Any help would be great

7' med/ heavy ugly stick 4600 Abu Garcia should put you in the $75 range

Put ya some #20 braid on that bass rig and go fishin

These:

Or Pro Anglers with Quantum Optix 60 spinning reels .

on the $$$$ right here.

and welcome to the TFF

If your fishing for eating size fish, an Med/Hvy Ugly Stik and a 4000 series Shimano spinning reel. Should be able to get both from Walmart.

Can you send me a link to the items you're referring to? The absolute cheapest abu garcia I'm seeing is 60 bucks so I'm confused on how you're getting $75. Are there coupons or rebates involved?

Or is there an ugly stick for only $15?

The most important thing is to buy good line. You don't need top shelf, either. Stren or Berkley will work just fine.

Academy has some decent affordable options:

ProCat 7' rod/spinning reel combo

Or if you prefer a conventional reel:

ProCat 7' Casting Combo

15-20lb. mono will be plenty...no need for braid. Basic Carolina Rig with a flat no-roll sinker (2-5 oz. depending on current) and 2/0 to 5/0 circle hook should have you set up for cats!

These are good for getting into catfishing and will hold up for most eating size catfish! Good Luck...tight lines!

Amazon has 5500s for $44-55 But also check pawn shops , they turn up a lot at them

When I got started catfishing, I used the Ugly Stik Catfish spinning combos and they're still working today. Good solid 7' Medium-Heavy rod...the spinning reel could've been better but they were absolutely usable...and you can't beat the price! The old combos are currently on Clearance on the website for $42.46 + shipping!

Ugly Stik Catfish Spinning Combo

They've updated the look and maybe the reel for the new model combo...and it's still only $49.95 + shipping!

Ugly Stik Catfish Spinning Combo - Updated

In fact, I just caught this 28" catfish on my old Ugly Stik combo 2 days ago:




15 lb. mono with a sliding sinker rig and 2 ft. leader to 5/0 circle hook with fresh shad. I've never had a problem with these rod and reel combos from Ugly Stik.

I have a couple of 7'MH Ugly Stick GX2 spinning rods that work really well. Mine are paired with Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder reels (ABF 55), and they have pulled in several large blues each in the two years I've had them. This rig will run about $100 to put together. I run Berkley Big Game 20lb line on mine, but 15lb would cast better. As mentioned above, I too use the flat no-roll sinkers, mostly 2oz, and my go-to for big blues is a 7/0 offset circle hook snelled onto a 30lb flourocarbon leader. An Octopus hook works good too if you want a meat gaff and like to set the hook. If targeting eater size fish I will back down to a 4/0 or 5/0 hook. You hang that rig up and you'll be cussing trying to break it off.