Is a soft action rod that easily bends better for using circle hooks? Medium action? I do know for sure you need your rod either in your hand or in a good rod holder.

I like to use Medium action myself

I use medium heavy rods. I think a little backbone is more important than a soft tip when talking about circle hooks. You want to use your rad and a semi-tight drag so that hook will set itself.

Medium action Mad Katz user here. I didn't realize the Catfish Conference was this weekend in Kansas City, MO. I was wanting to go and buy some more MK rods again.

I have used several different rods over the last few years as i continue to try to learn this game. Stuff I had, some better as i invested more.

I like to leave the rods in the holder and let them load up and set the hook. I use 30 lb. mono on most and like medium heavy with a fast tip. It helps take up some of the mono stretch I think. I have some with braid and feel I can use a lighter rod and still work, due to the braid not stretching at all. I do want a good backbone for big fish.

Can't go wrong with MadKatz.

More importantly I think, is to have good SHARP hooks!

Tight lines y'all.

Ken

Medium heavy for me with a sensitive tip. I use big one piece Whisker Seeker rods and love 'em.

I am with Ken in leaving the rod to be fully taken down before lifting it out off the rest. I have caught a number of fish while messing around on my phone/other and then the boat starts turning as a big cat tries to pull the rod out of the rest. I watch videos of guys reeling down on bites like crazy only for the fish to escape. Nope. If he is biting then he is going to pull down hard on that hook (most of the time).

Of course, being a lazy [censored] makes it easier to just sit back...

I haven't found much of a difference in hook up percentages on the different rod types using circles. M, M/H, XMH, and H. I've used them all for cats both anchored and drifting. Circle hooks and holding the rod I don't think would work good for most. Natural instinct is to rare back on that rod when something tries to pull it away from you and doing so will not allow the circle hook to do it's job. Put it in a rod hold and when it bows over...reel, reel, reel!!!

M action Pro Anglers work fine for me.

From my limited experience I'm in full agreement with M Action Pro Anglers, best rod for my money.

Agree. I haven't tried many of the latest and greatest rods out there...and I'm sure there are better ones available these days, but PA's have always been a pretty solid rod for the price point IMO.

Agreed.

I just refuse to spend $1200 on 10 Catfish rods that do the same thing that Proanglers will do. Not to mention Proanglers don't look like Barney the dinosaur just deuced it out. We've pulled 60's out of trees at Twok with 'em. Good enough for me.