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Gone Fishin’
Catfish are among the most demanding fish out there when it comes to equipment.
Varying in size from food-size 5lb whisker fish to gigantic, trophy-sized flatheads that can reach upwards of 50lbs [1] — if you want to catch the right Catfish, you’ll need the right Catfish rod.
As if it wasn’t difficult enough, there’s a truly dizzying number of fishing rods out there that all differ in size, weight, materials, and features based on an array of preferences as well as the type of catch you’re angling for.
As you never know what size fish you’re going to hook until you start reeling it in however, durability should be your number one priority when setting out to find the best Catfish rod for you.
So, we’ve scanned the market to find five of the best Catfish rods on the market with the strongest materials, optimized for the perfect length, action, and power for your next big Catfishing trip.
At a glance…
Our choice for the toughest catfish rod is the Ugly Stik casting rod. It’s made of graphite and fiberglass which is an excellent material combination. It balances strength and sensitivity and has a 7-year warranty. It ranks 4th on our durability table; however, you can have all the qualities mentioned above for less than $50!
If you’re looking for a durable premium fishing rod, then check the Okuma Battle Cat.
- Perfect for: Robust rod well-suited to large flathead hunters.
- Perfect for: Modest-haul channel catfishing on a budget.
What to look for in Catfish rods
First, let’s discuss the essential features you should look out for when shopping for Catfish rods.
As with rods for any type of fish, there are 3 key factors that separate the good from the bad:
- Materials
- Rod Length & Line Rating
- Fishing Rod Action & Power.
1. Materials
Firstly, as we mentioned, durability is the most important factor. As anyone who’s caught a trophy blue Catfish before will agree, they’re pretty strong and love to wrestle the line. Cheaper and weaker rods will snap under the pressure, so rod material is the main consideration. There are three durable materials that we’ll look out for:
E-glass
E-glass is a fiberglass and polymer blend that’s strong and very lightweight.
S-glass
S-glass is similar to e-glass, using the same fiberglass material base but with double the structural modules of e-glass, making it stronger and yet lighter.
Composite
Composite rods are formed using two materials which are invariably graphite and s-glass, marrying the durability of S-glass with the lightness and maneuverability of graphite.
Casual Catfishers angling for small-catch channel fish, can stick to e-glass rods for their sensitivity and portability.
Trophy fishers may want to exclusively consider S-glass or composite rods to account for heavier catch and more wear-and-tear.
2. Rod Length and Line Rating
Secondly, you’ll need to consider length and line rating. Generally speaking, we’ll prioritize longer rods and higher line ratings, thanks to their greater casting range and accuracy, as well as stronger reel control and for larger Catfish.
Catching Catfish demands a longer pole, so we’ll also be looking at rods that are typically over 7’6” in length with a line rating between 5 and 50lbs.
3. Rod Action and Power
Finally, we’ll consider the rod action and power, which refers to the point along with the rod blank at which it begins to flex, and the strength of the rod itself, respectively. Check this short article if you want to get more familiar with the action and power notions.
‘Slow’ action rod flex around the middle of the blank, whereas fast action rod bend nearer to the tip. Medium rod action and power are the targets for most Catfish anglers due to the weight and size of the fish.
How to Select the Right Fishing Rod | Infographic
Source: Fix.com Blog
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Our Rugged Ratings (BIFL) system
And, as always, we’ll put all of our Catfish rod tops picks through our buy-it-for-life rating system, which scores products for their overall durability and longevity features both in terms of the product itself as well as the after-sales care and service.
In the context of Catfish rods, the factors that will produce the BIFL score include the following:
- Rugged: 50% weight of total score — Durable blank, handle, and guide materials with resilient design and construction.
- Repairable: 20% weight of total score — Replacement parts or generous warranty and/or service programs.
- Upgradable: 15% weight of total score — Additional attachments or accessories and compatibility with other fishing equipment.
- Multipurpose: 15% weight of total score — Suitable for different species and sizes of catch, using various fishing methods across multiple bodies of water.
With that said, let’s dive in.
The toughest Catfish rods in 2022
1. Shakespeare Ugly Stik Catfish Casting Rod – Most Durable (Budget)
The keen Catfishers among you will instantly recognize the Shakespeare brand of fishing rods.
With a unique design process stemming back from the late 1940s, Shakespeare’s iconic Ugly Stik rods feature an internal spiral fiberglass core and parallel glass fibers impregnated with pigmented polyester resin, giving them the distinct ability to be bent in a full circle without snapping.
The Ugly Stik Catfish Casting Rod USCACAT701MH is a budget-friendly and reliable one-piece with moderate/fast rod action and medium/heavy power. At 7’ long with a line rating of 15-30lbs, it can handle the average channel cat with ease, perhaps even the occasional trophy catfish thanks to its medium/heavy rod power.
Durability | Shakespeare Ugly Stik
Part of the reason this rod is so beloved among anglers is its toughness, especially considering the price and its materials. Composed of a combination of graphite and fiberglass, this rod balances strength and sensitivity well. The eight guides are composed of durable stainless steel which eliminates the issue of insert pop-outs.
As with many other built-to-last rods on the market, the warranty is reassuring at a generous seven years.
- Durable rod capable of handling the average cat with ease
- Affordable
- Generous warranty
- Reviews point to an oversized gimbal butt
PRICE: Around $40
PERFECT FOR: Modest-haul channel catfishing on a budget.
Last update on 2024-05-03 at 11:23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Berkley Lightning Rod Casting – Most portable
Berkley has been a mainstay for freshwater anglers for years, owing to their incredible attention to rod sensitivity and reasonable prices.
The Berkley Lightning Rod Casting BCLR601M-PG is a shorter rod at a modest 6’, with moderate/fast rod action, medium power, and a line rating of 8-14lbs.
Many reviews point to comfortable grip, with handles made from rubberized cork. This, combined with its compact size, means the Lighting Rod is superlight, sensitive, and easily maneuverable.
Durability | Berkley Lightning Rod
The rod itself is a carbon/graphite composite, which is strong enough to reel in smaller fish without snapping, and the stainless-steel guides complete with aluminum oxide inserts hold up against the line well.
The one-year warranty is a little disappointing, though, so we don’t recommend trying to reel anything above its rating.
- Lightweight, sensitive, and durable
- Comfortable rubberized cork handle suitable for weaker grips
- Affordable
- Small-catch only
- One year warranty only
PRICE: Around $40
PERFECT FOR: Kayak, canoe, or inflatable fishing in freshwater.
3. Chad Ferguson Signature Series Rod – Most versatile
Stepping up in price range and thus build quality and design, enter the Chad Ferguson Signature Series Rod from Whisker Seeker.
The Signature Series is a medium/heavy action rod measuring in at 7’6” with a 10-50lb line rating. Despite being designed with an all-purpose catch in mind, this rod is also just as capable of going toe-to-toe with a “monster catfish”. SS black one-piece guides (10 on Casting and 8 on Spinning models) offer a smooth, long-distance cast.
The extra-long handle and foregrip help control everything from big fish to bottom bounce sinkers and finesse fish with admirable sensitivity.
Durability | Chad Ferguson Rod
Made from durable S-Glass, the blank construction offers a rod that shares the strength benefits of glass, but with the lightness/sensitivity of graphite and carbon. And either choice of monofilament or braided fishing line translates to favorable longevity. The handle is also a no-slip cork-composite which reduces the effects of weathering.
The standard one-year warranty covers you for manufacturer’s defects, but you can opt for the ‘Trophy Tuff’ two-year warranty where they’ll swap your rod out for 50% of the retail price regardless of what went wrong.
- Equipped for a broad range of catch sizes
- Strong and light S-glass material
- Tough backbone for larger catch
- Limited one-year warranty
PRICE: Around $90
PERFECT FOR: The avid Catfish angler who wants a reliable od for every type of fishing trip.
4. KastKing KatTech Casting Catfish Rod — Most capable with larger catch
Decidedly not for the newer, more casual Catfish angler, the KastKing KatTech line of casting rods have one type of fish in mind — big ones.
The KKR-KT-2C8MH model, in particular, favors big trophies, measuring at a massive 8’ in length with medium/fast action and medium/heavy power. Its size demands a two-piece construction that suits tournament-level angling trips. The Fuji double-footed guides with SiC rings (numbering 10 on the KKR-KT-2C8MH) will capably handle the toughest conditions you will encounter.
Durability | KastKing KatTech
Graphite combined with linear S-Glass gives the blank incredible strength and lifting power despite its lighter weight of only 11.3oz. The custom rubber cork handles are slip-resistant, durable, and comfortable for longer sessions and tournament days.
All KatTech rods are covered by a five-day ‘dead on arrival’ warranty, as well as a 90-day free defective replacement warranty, and finally a 150-day repair warranty.
- Length, action, and power perfect for trophy catch
- Composite base material is strong yet very light
- ‘Strike tip’ great for sensitive bite detection
- Two-piece design hampers portability
PRICE: Around $72
PERFECT FOR: Tournament-level trophy fish anglers.
5. OKUMA Battle Cat Catfish Rod — Most durable (Overall)
OKUMA enter the list with a durability-centric rod with several distinct, angler-friendly features that set it apart from the rest and justify its steep price tag.
Battle Cat premium catfish rods include two models, one 7.5’ and one 8-feet in length. Both feature heavy rod power and moderate/fast action. Uniquely with this rod, the blank construction is two-piece but is also butted in the handle to simulate the feel of a one-piece. There are two opposing grips on either side, the foregrip composed of comfortable and grippy EVA and the rear grip from cork.
Durability | OKUMA Battle Cat
Every element of this rod is carefully considered with ruggedness in mind. The rod blank is formed of a super-strong E-Glass, weighing in at a fairly heavy 16.8oz for the 8’ model. The guide system is comprised of double-foot welded stainless steel and the reel seat from aluminum that’s been anodized for extra strength. Both models feature non-skid gimbals made from tough rubber.
Impressively, OKUMA offers a limited lifetime warranty. For any manufacturer defects, you can send it back to OKUMA at $19.95 for return shipping and they’ll repair or replace it as necessary.
- Durability in every constituent part
- Butted handle design offers one-piece feel and strength
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Hard to store and travel with
PRICE: Around $120
PERFECT FOR: Robust rod well-suited to large flathead hunters.
- Package quantity: 1
- Product Type: FISHING EQUIPMENT
- Country of Origin: China
- Package weight: 1.36 lb
Last update on 2024-05-03 at 11:23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Toughest Rods for Catfishing- Comparison table
| Product | Features | RUGGED RATINGS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most Durable (Overall) |
| 9.5 | Check Latest Price |
| Chad Ferguson Signature Series Rod
| 8.4 | Check Latest Price |
 | KastKing KatTech Casting Catfish Rod
| 8.2 | Check Latest Price |
Most Durable (Budget) | Shakespeare Ugly Stik Catfish Casting Rod
| 7.5 | Check Latest Price |
|
| 5 | Check Latest Price |
Catfish rods recommendation
All the fishing rods on our list made it there because they share one common trait — robust design with longevity in mind. In this regard, the best casting rod for you depends heavily on what type of catch you’re targeting.
Having said that, there are a few clear standouts that represent the best value in terms of durability and price.
The first is Shakespeare’s Ugly Stik USCACAT701MH casting rod. We don’t usually consider price to be a very important factor as we believe that spending enough on certain products is cheaper in the long run. This isn’t the case with the Ugly Stik though. For under $50, you get a simple and lightweight rod that will have no trouble with the average channel cat. This may be the last Catfish rod you’ll ever need.
On the other end of the scale, we have the OKUMA Battle Cat. So named because of its impressive abilities in reeling in big catch, there aren’t many Bluecats out there that could wrestle it into submission if there are any at all. Everything from the blank to the guides and gimbal is made from the strongest, highest-quality materials. And if the strong reviews aren’t enough to persuade you, the lifetime warranty will. For serious big Catfish anglers, this rod is worth every penny.
What to check next: The Most Durable Pocket Knives [2022 edition]. EDC knives can be a life-saver for slicing through a stuck seatbelt – or – cut through shirt fabric to attend to the underlying wound in life-threatening situations.
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