I'll make a long story short. I was at Grapevine yesterday and I dont know what I had on the end of the line but I will tell you it was big. I fought the unknown for almost 45 minutes, until the line got caught and the fish broke free. I have NEVER hooked anything that big before. Actually I do good just to catch a fish it seems. My question is I learned a lesson about catfish and would like some recomendations on some good rod and reels for cats, and fishing line. One last question what is the preferred way to rig your fishing pole for cats? Maybe some pics that illustrate rigging your line up.
Thanks in advance!!
Kris

youtube catfishing and put in your favorite lake. or do a search on the catfish forums here.

all star rod or ugly stick....adu garcia 5500 or 6500....power pro 65lb line....

Good 6-7foot Medium-Medium Heavy action rod
Abu 5500
10 lb Cajun Red line.

i have 10 of these and they work great. ugly stick cat rods, abu garcia ambassador 6500, 6550, and 7000 reeals spooled with 25lb berkley big game solar. great combos, good drag systems and the line has been great and the rods have a good back bone and flexible tips (7 foot rods)

what kind of bait you use

I was using liver Saturday.

I use 6'6 or 7' Ugly Sticks, Abu Garcia heavy action rods, and Abu Garcia round bait casting reels. The line is probably one of the most important pieces of tackle. Anything over 20lbs test should be ok. I have even caught some big ones on 17lb.

i personally have had bad experiences with cajun line, i really like big game or andes for mono. The high vis green is my personal favorite for braid i have only used powerpro and spiderwire, i like the powerpro and not the spiderwire
rods---as long as it has some backbone and not way too stiff will work. i really LOVE the catfish safari rods but they are expensive and the Shakespear Tiger rods are easier to get ahold of
reels--i love abu garcia 6000 series and 7000 series. they are high quality, reletively inexpensive, easy to work on and maintain.

My personal preferance is
1. 7-8ft MH fiberglass rod, Ugly stick or Jarvis Walker Tuff Tip. The tuff tips are a little cheaper than the Uglys and you can get them with a cork handle at Academy.
2. Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reel, 6000/6500/6600. They come with a bait clicker.
3. Ande mono line, in envy green. Either 20# or 30# test.
4. Circle hook. 4/0-8/0.
5. Santee-cooper rigg. Basically a carolina rig with a crappie float about 6" above the hook with a 1-2oz weight depending on fishing conditions. A snagless sinker when drift fishing.
My two cents.

Thanks everyone. Is there a picture or something to get a better idea of the Santee-cooper rigg?

What do you guys think of the Cabela's King Kat Casting Combo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ZXQmA4fWk
Here's a link to a video for one. It's rigged for drifting, therefore it has a snagless sinker on it but it should give you an idea of what one is.

Anyone have any input on the Cabelas King Cat Combo??

JUNK. You can buy a great cat rig for about $90. I have a variety of rigs. I have shakespeare tidewaters on shakespeare sturdy stiks. 6'6 and 7'. I have abu garcia 5000,6000,6500s o n ugly stik catfish 7' roda. then Ihave spinning rigs. Offshore angler reels and 8' ugly stik catfish rods. I recently caught my personal best,59.66lb. blue,on a 7' m/h Ugly Stik catfish rod and an abu garcia 6000 reel with 25 lb. solar green berkley big game mono. Just a thought.