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Catfish rods are the best choice for this type of fishing, as they are better suited to this type of fishing, with rods that have a test curve of between 3lb and 5lbs.
A reel will be a Bait runner for bank fishing, and a multiplyer for boat fishing. Also depending on the size of the water you are fishing determines the amount of line your reel will need to hold..
Line should be a good quality mono, with high abrasion resistance, from 15lb to 20lb, heavier if snags dictate..
Hooks should be between sizes 1 and 4. In the UK most venues only allow Barbless Hooks, however you can catch just the same..
I would recommend a good braid for deadbaits, 45lb Quicksilver or something similar. Heavy nylon can be used for livebaits 30lb Stren Catfish Mono, on the continent I use 60lb Stren but have used sea fishing shock leader line. Some of the new fused braids i.e. Fireline are very interesting and I will be trying this summer. The main point of the hook length when using livebait is its stiffness, it must remain tangle free especially when using active baits like Tench, which have the ability to tangle limp braids. Catfish will not be put off by a stiffer, larger hook length. With a livebait they will not stop to inspect it, they will attack the same way as a Pike, to guarantee their meal does not escape!.
Unless your chosen water does not allow them or there is definite evidence of a better bait, use livebaits as a first choice. Fished either popped up on a free running ledger rig, or on a sunk float paternoster fished at midwater, and for surface presentation. The free running leger rig with the line fed out after casting until the bait reaches the surface. When dead baiting if able, go for free lined baits, in the margins especially. At distance a free running ledger rig, use run rings to minimize resistance..
UK unhooking mat (65in x 24in).
Suitable for Catfish upto 60lb.
European unhooking mat (85in x 30in x 2in).
Suitable for Catfish upto 200lb.
You will require a pair of long reach pliers or forceps, I gather the longer the better, so 10 inches plus would be beneficial..
Gloves I gather are optional, but are more than likely a better choice to have should you need to use them..
A Tape measure, although not an essential, maybe useful for a number of reasons let alone measuring a fish for example..
Scales should be ok upto 120lb in the UK, but not much good in Europe if the Catfish exceed the weight of 120lbs, which could be very likely. I have put some of examples of scale sizes below:.
100 kg x 200 g or 220 lb x 8 oz.
200 kg x 500 g or 440 lb x 1 lb.
300 kg x 1 kg or 660 lb x 2lb.
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