I know everyone out there has a favorite R/R combo that they just naturally pick up first even though you have several in the boat. It might be an old reliable Zebco 33 mounted on a little ole wimpy ten buck rod or you might have a R/R with all the bells and whistles costing several hundred bucks. If you like it and it works for you, that's what this post is about. O.K. consider this a poll. Again this isn't about whats best. It's what works for you!

Mine is a garcia 6000 on a Bass Pro shop 20 dollar graphite rod with 20 lb test Berkley Big Game on it and it can handle anything I want to tangle with and give the fish a fighting chance too.And it likes the saltwater too.

The one that usually ends up in my hands is a heavy duty freshwater Diawa spinning reel, (Can't make out the model no. its all rubbed off), and its mounted on a 6' 6" model SP1101 Med. Hvy. Ugly Stick. Spooled with 14 lb. Berkley Big Game.

Jimbo, for this to be of significant information, you should have included a question about why this old reliable is your choice. In other words what are you fishing for or with that makes this combo the best choice.

For example, I fish punch bait most of the time. So, my CKat Shikari rod with a tip as limber as a fly rod, and a backbone strong as a saltwater rod is my go to rod. Because a kitty flat out can't feel this rod until he has moved the tip far enough for me to know he is there.

But, if I need to be pitching a bobber loaded with punch bait up in tight cover, the Shikari is too limber to lend itself to good casting accuracy, so I go to a more heavy action rod.

Thus, I don't really have a favorite combo.

The reels I like most I think Shakespeare quit making, so I have gone just this year to the BPS Catmax reels. They are larger than I like, but a good reel.

And, to this combo when I am punch bait fishing, I like a good quality braided, no stretch line. This way it is as sensitive as I know how to make it.

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Mike
www.WhiskerKitty.com

Good Info. You might have one favorite or more than one for different kinds of presentations, and circumstances. Some are more high tech than others. I'm a low tech sort of guy, and I get by with fewer choices and adapt accordingly. Like I said what works for me. Good post Mike, this is what I had in mind with my post. It's interesting to see just what everyone uses for chasing those cats.

my problem is i got too many favorties, so many that i can't even fish with all of them most of the time. but probly the best is i've got an abu garica 6500 on a heavy duty fiberglass rod, it casts like a dream and can turn a big fish like nothin else i've used. other than that Abu garcia baitcasters, and PENN casting and spinning reels are my gear of choice mounted on an MH-H action long handled rods.

Definetely my new pride and joy and it came from the wally mister world.it's a abu garcia 6500 with a berkely lightining rod. Good for channels and blues. I really love it and haven't had prob with the rod yet (13lber so far) I own a catmaxx on a7ft ugly stik but by far the best dependable money spent reel for kats of all sizes is my abu collection. As far as nite fishin for yellas, abu then my little penns with bug cat 50 lb braid.my 2 cents and some change
cliff

Abu 6000&6500 on ugly stik catfish, Danny King signature, or EagleClaw GrangerII rods, strung with 80 lb spiderwire or 20 Ande for long casting. Got to have a clicker and like a heavy rod in order to getem out of the brush. I like this combination and have lots of confidence in it. It will land anything in fresh water.
jk