My son and I both have the Ugly Stik GX2 combo (medium). We've been catching crappie and small-med sized channel and blue cat with no problem for the past month or so since we got started.
I've been watching Richard Gene and Kayak Catfish, and want to get set up with a budget rig to catch the big 20 and 30lb+ blue catfish the way they do. The big blue cats are known to be in our lake. (here's a vid of Kayak Catfish catching like 6 big ones in our lake in one day! https://youtu.be/nsBBcpSv5zg?si=oDCNa3dTDQbPpElp&t=1994 )
Anyway, I'm wondering if the Ugly Stick GX2 combo medium heavy is a good base to build a big catfish rig around? (I don't see them in heavy on Amazon). Or, is there a better 'heavy budget rod/reel combo' that's more fit for the purpose of getting set up for big catfish w/o spending a lot? I know I'll need heavier test line/leader, big 8/0 or 10/0 Gamakatsu circle hooks, weights, etc. I'm more asking about the rod/reel (but open to suggestions about the rest of the rig for sure!)
Thanks!
Posted by ezeeetm