subject: The Right Catfish Pole For You [print this page] Although the pole that you use may not matter, the type of pole that you use will depend on your location and skill at catfish fishing. Each pole has benefits, but if you don't know what the pole is capable of doing, you won't get the full affect. Each pole offers something for catfish fishing and sometimes, no two are alike for one reason or another.
Before you go out and buy a pole, you should no the different types of rods and how each one works. There are five factors to consider before buying a pole. The personal preference, capabilities of the pole, size of the pole and the cost as well as how much use you will get out of the pole.
Your Preference
What type of pole would work the best for your skill level? How the pole feels in your hand is what is important. There are fiberglass and graphite poles compared to the cane poles that were used years ago. For the novice angler, the fiberglass poles are idea only if they feel comfortable in your hand. The graphite is a strong pole and can withstand the fight of the catfish. However, you must feel comfortable with the pole. Since casting is not as common with catfish fishing, you don't need to worry about that aspect of the rod.
Capabilities of the Pole
What can the pole do? The pole must be heavy to withstand the fight and yet easy enough to hold onto for a long time unless you plan to let it rest on a planer board or just lay by itself (which is not recommended when catfish fishing).
Will the pole be a good fit with the test line that you will use? The pole should be compatible with the test line, which should be rated 20 pounds or more. If you have questions about the pole, ask the dealer or sales associate and then make your decision.
Size
The length of the pole is another consideration when buying a catfish pole. Once again, in the years past, the cane poles were not all that long, but they didn't need to be because most people sat on docks to fish. The length of the pole will depend on if you will be casting, trolling or just dropping. The ideal length should be six to seven feet, but again, what are you comfortable handling.
