Game & Fish Gear 2018: Catfish gear. (G&F photo)
June 25, 2018
By Keith Sutton
The most important catfish gear is what's at the end of the line. (G&F photo)
Catching big catfish is the name of the game and that requires the right knowledge and gear to put them in the boat. Here's a look at some top catfish gear choices for 2018: Bait, hooks, lines and accessories.
BAIT
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This sticky fiber bait provides maximum catfish attraction and stays on the hook, even in swift current, under a wide range of temperatures. Designed for use with treble hooks, it's available in blood and cheese scents. $5-$9; berkley-fishing.com
This bait blends aged cheese, rich oils and secret ingredients held together with a unique fiber. Attractants mixed with the right amount of fiber create an ideal stay-on-the-hook enticement for eating-size cats. $6-$10; magicbait.com
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TERMINAL TACKLE
This offset circle hook is unbelievably sharp. Blood-red color attracts smaller cats, but it's sturdy enough to bring in trophies, too. Also new: George Young 8/0 and 9/0 wide-gap circle hooks perfect for oversize baits and monster cats. $2-$5; bnmpoles.com
Gamakatsu designed this hook specifically for catching tough-lipped catfish. The offset, precision-sharpened point penetrates quickly even with light hook sets. An "up eye" allows fast, easy snelling. The strong, forged steel can tackle the biggest blues and flatheads. Sizes 1/0 to 12/0. $4-$10; gamakatsu.com
The barb on traditional circle hooks is inside the hook bend. But with certain techniques, if line slackens, it could get snagged by the hook barb and possibly nicked or cut. Gamakatsu's outbarb design eliminates that risk, and the circle hook design results in deeper penetration and more reliable hook-ups. Sizes 3/0 to 12/0. $4-$10; gamakatsu.com
Legendary cat man Ted Ellenbecker designed these solid, sharp, affordable hooks. Small-diameter wire and super-sharp points improve penetration and keep live baits livelier longer. Available in 24-hook packs with six hooks each in sizes 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 and 4/0. $7; tedellenbecker.com
Catfish anglers use lots of different hardware to create rigs for different tactics. B'n'M's new line of advanced sinker slides and swivels makes the job easier and provides confidence in terminal tackle. Included are two quick-snap sinker slides, a 125-pound-test chain swivel, a 150-pound-test three-way wired swivel and a three-way bumping swivel. $5-$10; bnmpoles.com
This braid is made with super-tough Spectra fibers for high abrasion resistance, minimal stretch, great sensitivity and increased casting distance. Comes on a biodegradable BioSpool made from wheat waste, an industry first. Available in combat Green or Coastal Blue in 300-yard spools in a variety of pound test. $19-$23; eposeidon.com
Big bobbers are needed for big baits. These foam models are available in 2- and 2 1/2-inch sizes in red and yellow. The 2-inch version can be used with 1 to 3 ounces of weight and can hold up to a 10-inch live bait. Use the 2 1/2-inch model with 1 to 4 ounces weight to suspend baits up to 2 pounds. Two included glowsticks provide night light. $7; hooksetterusa.com
Bait clings tightly and melts slowly on these super-sticky dip-bait tubes. Ready-to-use red and yellow rigs with 16-inch, 20-pound mono and a heavy-duty swivel. Hook choices: 2/0 Jackhammer J hooks, No. 6 Dead Red trebles or 2/0 Power Cam-Action hooks. $3; teamcatfish.com
ACCESSORIES
This big 40x44-inch net is strong enough to subdue big cats and has a telescoping handle for convenient stowing. Glass-filled nylon yoke provides superior durability, and knotless mesh reduces injuries to trophy fish for healthy releases. Built-in extension handle. $365; frabill.com
$80; planomolding.com
This backpack carries all needed tackle in one hands-free, worry-free package. Features failsafe zipperless design, waterproof fabric, storage pockets, tool holder, padded shoulder straps and four 3700 StowAway boxes to keep tackle sorted and secure. $90; planomolding.com
Cleaning catfish is a cinch with this cordless knife, which includes one cordless body, two lithium-ion batteries, 6- and 7 1/2-inch reciprocating blades and a wall charger in a padded storage case. Runs cool and smooth for 80 minutes per battery without power loss or slowdown. $150; rapala.com
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