Catfish rig

[KalvinKlein]

Ok guys, time to get your thoughts. I want to start getting into cat fishing. What is a good rod and reel combo to get. What weight of line should I use. I've caught cat's in pontiac lk before, so I know there in the Oakland County area. Were are some good places to get good eatin cats with a 12ft boat.

[bass slayer 17]

try the kalamazoo river or the grand river their loaded with them... you need a very heavy baitcasting setup for those cats and probably at least 50lb power pro braided line if fishing by alot of snags... here is a rod that wouldnt be to bad to start out with http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0043354121966a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=catfish+combos&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=catfish+combos&noImage=0

[axisgear]

Heavy 6-8' casting rig up to 25#,Abu Garcia ambassadeur 6600 and 17-20# mono is fine....in fact,it's almost perfect for Channel cats in the SW rivers[some big flats have been spanked with this,too;)]. Flatheads in the extra large sizes require bigger gear,but that's not important here.

Super line is not required for channel cats at all! The only time I really stress the need for braid is when you're fishing "Big and Uglies" in the jams and the Flatheads decide they need to get to that wood pile NOW!!!! [That's EVERY time by the way]

Like I said above with about an ounce of sliding lead and a 3/0 or 5/0 circle hook with some cut bait will catch you some good channel cats.[make sure you dont "set the hook" with a circle hook.Slow and easy set.]

Good luck!

[wishbone]

may want to look here also
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236580

[KalvinKlein]

Wow quick responses from everyone. Anyone in oakland county catch any. Don't give up your spot....but a name of a lake or something like that would help.

[RobFromFlint]

Holloway Resevoir in Genesee county is LOADED with eating sized cats, 12-14 inchers. Troll there for walleye with harnesses and you'll catch plenty of cats.

[KalvinKlein]

Can I use a 12ft boat in Holloway Res without any problems.

[fish fanatic jr.]

Ya you could use that 12 footer there. You just have to look out for all the jetskiers and pleasure boaters and you'll do fine.

[KalvinKlein]

This might be a dumb question but where is Holloway Res? Does anyone have any pics of the area?

[chamookman]

Just North of Davison, East of M-15 - take Stanley Road to the boat launch. C-man

[gordito314]

Headed there early friday morning... get there before the jetskiers.... hopeing to catch a nice big cat.. our biggest is only 19 inch.. I know there is bigger ones.

[OneMoreCaast]

Pontiac Lake was stocked with channel cats for several years. Seems quite easy to hook them if you try and sometimes when you dont. I have caught several in the 5-6lb range simply casting chicken livers, nite crawlers, dead or live minnows or anything stinky or bloody off my dock, stick the pole in the dock pipe and let them sit. Mainly hit just at dark or after but catch them in the day...even caught several ice fishing...that was a trip. Please come out and take some home with you.