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