I'm an Ugly Stik fanboy. Got my first Catfish rod on my 10th birthday and it has lasted me 10 years now. I have 6 of them now all sporting Bass Pro Catmaxx spin reels with 50lb braided line. Biggest fish I caught on them was a 37lb Blue. I used medium size circle hooks with cut bait.

As for bigger cats, I use my saltwater rods I use in the big rivers and Chesapeake Bay. They were Ugly Stik Big Water Boat rods with Penn Senator saltwater feels. 100lb braided line. Biggest on those for cats was a 64lb flathead.

Most of my setups are an egg sinker with a 18" leader to a large circle hook. I prefer perch and crappie over shad. Never can keep them alive in a bucket. I also use garlic worms and some gross chicken liver. Take a mason jar and fill it half with your urine then pour some chicken liver in it. Close it tight and shake it up. Leave it outside for a week. Most vile smell I've ever experienced but channels love it.

Just FYI. It's illegal to use crappie for bait and I will never bait my own hook if you take me fishing.

Didn't know that. I'm from Virginia. Not much rules on fishing there. If there is, nobody ever cared.