1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Round Baitcaster for Catfish. Need help.

Discussion in 'Fishing' started by BravoDeltaRomeo, Sep 20, 2021.

  1. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:05 AM
    #1
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo [OP] Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,678
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    New to Baitcasters of any kind. Looking to target some large Catfish next season. Budget is $150 range.


    If I want something to CAST from shore, are either of these decent options? I know there will be a learning curve, but I'm trying to wrap my head around the casting release on both systems. The Abu seems to have a push button similar to SpinCast reels and the Penn seems to have a lever. I'm fine practicing and working on my technique with either.


    Anything else I should be looking at or avoiding and going with a larger Spin reel. I have a new Penn Battle III 2000 right now, so probably not suitable for large catches.


    Thanks,


    Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 6600

    https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00F5KAI9I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


    Penn Squal 15 Level Wind

    https://www.amazon.ca/Penn-Squall-Level-Trolling-Reels/dp/B00ER7FWKK
     
  2. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:10 AM
    #2
    Barrett50

    Barrett50 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2020
    Member:
    #56214
    Messages:
    1,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Barrett
    Wisco
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC silver
    You want a push button and not the lever. You also want a good ratio for the gears. Higher the ratio the faster. So 6.3-1 is faster retrieve than 5-1. Depends on what your fishing if speed matters. Casting can be tricky if you don’t control the line coming out, the reel will spin back and tangles insue.
     
  3. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:13 AM
    #3
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo [OP] Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,678
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    35" Catfish are regular catches where I'll be going on the Red River in Lockport MB. I'm about an hour from there and used to fish there all the time.

    It's nothing for guys to pull out 6-10 MA Catfish in a few hours casting on a good night.

    https://huntfishmanitoba.ca/species/channel-catfish/
     
  4. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:15 AM
    #4
    Barrett50

    Barrett50 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2020
    Member:
    #56214
    Messages:
    1,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Barrett
    Wisco
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC silver
    I’ve had lotsa Abus and they’re pretty good. The higher speed is a good idea. And there’s a dial on the side to set the tension for casting. It’s pretty easy to dial in and get the hang of. You just keep your thumb on the line.
     
  5. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:28 AM
    #5
    Barrett50

    Barrett50 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2020
    Member:
    #56214
    Messages:
    1,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Barrett
    Wisco
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC silver
    These are the Abus I’ve used. Handles 50-60lb test. 6:3:1(fast enough)
    Seems like last time I bought one they weren’t 150$, but it’s been a while. Have Daiwa Lexas for musky fishing now but still use the Abus once and a while.
     
    BravoDeltaRomeo[OP] likes this.
  6. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:29 AM
    #6
    BIGUGLY

    BIGUGLY I the SheepDog. I have the capacity for Violence.

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2017
    Member:
    #9982
    Messages:
    702
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited
    Abu. Just make sure it was made in Sweden and not China. The higher models are still made in Sweden and have metal not plastic gears.

    The C3 catfish is at that price point as well.
     
    SSPey and Barrett50 like this.
  7. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:30 AM
    #7
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2020
    Member:
    #56879
    Messages:
    5,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Vehicle:
    2021 White 4x4 CM Trail Ed. 2018 White 4x4 4Runner SR5 Premium
    Seat covers, dash mat, ext. Trans. Cooler, sumo springs, oem pwr fld tow mirrors
    Good catfish bait...
    Mix meat products, cheese, butter in a 5 gal bucket and let it rot in the heat.
    It will form a paste like substance. Buy some big sponges and tear into chunks about 1" or so. Place chunk of sponge on hook then add a rubber grub. Apply paste to sponge before casting. The river current will give the grub perfect action. Best method I ever used for catfish in the river. Always caught plenty with minimal effort. Yes, it stinks and is gross. Just use a stick to mash the sponge down into the bait right before you cast. It will wash off after 10 min in the water. Usually got a fish by then though.
     
    BravoDeltaRomeo[OP] likes this.
  8. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:36 AM
    #8
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo [OP] Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,678
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    I actually have the C4 in my original post on order for $167 Canadian, but was just second guessing myself. I likely won't need that much line, but it doesn't seem to be much bigger or heavier then the next size down.

    And yes, it's SWEEDEN made.
     
    Barrett50 likes this.
  9. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:37 AM
    #9
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo [OP] Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,678
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    My wife is going to love me mixing up stinky concoctions of catfish bait, rotting in the sun.

    Another one up here that is highly regarded and proven is Garlic Shrimp. Buy shrimp with tails, thaw, mix with garlic powder, bag/seal and place in sun for 24hrs.

    Yum!
     
    2mchfun[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Sep 20, 2021 at 9:47 AM
    #10
    Barrett50

    Barrett50 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2020
    Member:
    #56214
    Messages:
    1,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Barrett
    Wisco
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC silver
    Catfish ceviche.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top