| With all the talk about catfishing rigs of | | | | your line, you'll need to consider i) the |
| various sorts, the focus is frequently on the | | | | size of the cats you're after, ii) the type |
| terminal gear, and the bait, and the rod and | | | | of structure in your fishing area and iii) |
| reel, and where and how to fish for the | | | | the sort of terminal rig you intend to use. |
| Big'uns, but not much is often said about the | | | | |
| line used to fish for these monsters. To | | | | There are three main types of lines, most all |
| cover this subject, though, there are several | | | | made of essentially the same base materials, |
| key considerations to think about. | | | | and loosely grouped as monofilament, |
| | | | copolymer and braid lines. Monofilament ("one |
| For one thing, catfishing is a sport, right? | | | | thread", as it translates from our ancestor's |
| As such, putting a line in the water isn't | | | | tongue) can be made of either nylon, or |
| just about hooking into a fish and hauling it | | | | fluorocarbon. Monofilaments can then be |
| in, but it's also about fighting the fish on | | | | sheathed one over the other, and bonded, |
| its own terms, and seeing if skill can | | | | creating copolymer, or they can be braided |
| triumph over sheer power, and land a big cat, | | | | into a "superline". |
| in the offing. | | | | |
| | | | There are several manufacturers of each of |
| On the other end of this balance, is using | | | | these types, each one offering what they |
| insufficient gear for the intensity of the | | | | consider the superior line in their category. |
| scrap you are getting yourself into. The old | | | | The real issues, for the average angler, as |
| adage is, "don't bring a knife to a | | | | stated, are not, which designer brand to buy, |
| gunfight". Big cats are some of the most | | | | but, how heavy of a line is needed for the |
| powerful fish in fresh water, and fighting | | | | fish, what conditions are being fished, and |
| them is a tough job, during which time, your | | | | maybe, what type of rod and reel are being |
| rig will be put under tremendous pressure to | | | | used? |
| perform... or, it will fail, and you will | | | | |
| lose the fish. | | | | Strictly speaking, the "sporting" use of far |
| | | | too light of a main line, for catfish, is not |
| Further, just when you thought you had | | | | really sporting, but just a good way to lose |
| decided on the required balance of strength | | | | a lot of terminal tackle. If you want to use |
| and finesse in gearing up for your fight, | | | | a lighter rig, use a light leader, tied to a |
| there's the issue of underwater conditions, | | | | swivel below your sinker rig, to combine |
| such as wood structure, rocks, snags and | | | | sportsmanship with economics. Your main line, |
| anything else that can come into contact with | | | | though, should not be less than 20 - 25 lb. |
| your line. Sharp edges of any kind can | | | | test, with many braided lines pushing 40 or |
| seriously impair your line strength, and big | | | | 50 lb., when cats are on the agenda. These |
| cats seem to know this, and will try their | | | | fish can pull like tugboats, so coming |
| best to tie up or fray your line... and, | | | | unprepared is not a good plan, in general. |
| zing!... Fish: 1, Angler: 0. So, in choosing | | | | |