[Bill in SC]

for fishin' the Big Pee Dee? I've used 20 to 30 through the years, but was just wondering what you guys like most. Y'all use steel leaders? I do.
BB in SC

 

[jtrew]

I've used steel leaders on salt water fish, but never on catfish.

 

[Bill in SC]

Reason I asked about the steel leaders is because with the cat's abrasive teeth, it seems like they could cut fishin' line. I see folks fishin' with and without. Just wondering which is actually best. Though I have been fishin' for over 50 years, that still doesn't mean I do things the right way. Glad I found this place so I can get expert advice, which I WILL follow.
BB in SC

 

[dafin]

I use 20# mono leaders , have for a lot of years i can't remenber haveing a cat cut the leader. I do change them often.

 

[rspd507]

I use anywhere from 20 to 50 pound test fishing the Ohio River. I do not use steel leaders, no reason, I just never have. Your right about the abrasive teeth, that why after every catch, I try to check my line for any knicks or cuts. If they are there you will feel them to the touch, if so, I will retie my rig. I also will retie everytime I catch a bigger cat just to be safe for when the next big one comes along. rspd507

 

[Bill in SC]

Ahhhh, now I remember! I'm too lazy to keep checkin' and changin' leaders! Maybe I will just change that practice and start using monofilament leaders. One thing is for sure, whenever I do hook into a nice one, I never worry about leader failure. 'Course, fishin' the snag piles in the Big Pee Dee, you lose a lot of rigs anyhow so you stay pretty busy. I guess I will rig my two new 6000s with 30# test.
BB in SC

 

[crazy]

Never used steel leaders to much of a pain. I use 40# mono main line and 80# test mono leaders. This year I'm going to switch it up a little. Going to 80# braid main line and 65# mono leader. For a leader I like to use a nice stiff line do to what you stated about there teeth.

 

[bownero]

I have used steel leaders for catfishing. Just for the reason, the lake I fish alot has musky present. I never had an issue with catfish biting the line. they will cause some abrasion, so i check my line frequently and change leaders often.

 

[rivercatsc]

Bill I fish Pee Dee and on my river rods I have them rigged with 80lb powerpro braid and use a 60-80lb mono leader. I dont like them to get away.LOL

 

[Bill in SC]

I'm going to have to hunt down some of that 80lb powerpro braid. Reckon Wal-Mart carries it? I certainly value your opinion Rivercat!
Bill in SC

 

[WylieCat]

I use 20-30 pound line and a 40-50 mono leader. That combo will land any catfish alive.

The bristle in a catfish mouth are not capable of cutting through a 40-50 pound mono leader. The fins are the most likely thing to nick a leader, and it is a lot cheaper and faster to change out mono than steel.

If you have money to burn then you can use steel leaders all you want.

So far I am not convinced that braid is the best line for me when catching catfish. The fact that it does not stretch is great for fish that have a subtle strike but I think it would be very unforgiving when you have a fish on a short rope. The flip side is that it might increase hook-ups with circle hooks.

One clear advantage is being able to put a lot of heavy weight line on a reel. You can almost double the capacity per pound on a reel.

It also appears to be less forgiving when it comes to tieing knots and getting tangles free.

Cost is another factor, especially when you are talking about spooling up a dozen rods. I guess some of that can be overcome by buying 2500 yard spools.

For now, I have about 1700 yards of 20 pound Ande left.... :smile2:

 

[Bill in SC]

Good points Wyliecat. I guess I just may stick to my plan that I have been using for years with the 20 to 30# test mono. I may make the change to the mono leaders though. As with all rivers, the debris in the Pee Dee makes you get hung up a LOT. I imagine that 80# braided stuff would be hard to break when you get hung. I can't ever remember any big cats breaking my line with the 20 to 30# test. First time for everything though.
BB in SC

 

[Bill in SC]

Been thinkin' a little since I made my post. With the 20 to 30# mono, the drag must be set correctly to avoid a big 'un breaking the line. Lots of times when a big cat makes a run and starts stripping out line, it allows the fish to head for cover and get the line tangled around a snag, thus losing the fish. I can see where the 80# braided line might be advantageous in not having to have the drag set so tightly, thus being able to winch him out of the structure quicker, with less chance of him getting fouled.. Just something to consider. I may indeed go with the braided just for that reason. Does that make sense to anyone?
BB in SC

 

[rivercatsc]

The pee dee has more snags than any river or body of water I have ever fished so I do just what you say I will throw right up in the trash pile and winch those big flatties out of those hidding areas. That is just what I use on my river rods I use 40lb braid and 60lb mono leader while drifting at the lake. I say give then and inch and you are hung in the river.

 

[izzy1286]

I use 50 lb suffix performance braid line....... its awesome line for bass as well as catfish... the diameter is like a 10lb mono but it sure can put up a fight.... i never use leaders either i tried once but it seemed that if i used it in water that wasnt real muddy the cats would see it and spook.

 

[RiverratSC]

Been thinkin' a little since I made my post. With the 20 to 30# mono, the drag must be set correctly to avoid a big 'un breaking the line. Lots of times when a big cat makes a run and starts stripping out line, it allows the fish to head for cover and get the line tangled around a snag, thus losing the fish. I can see where the 80# braided line might be advantageous in not having to have the drag set so tightly, thus being able to winch him out of the structure quicker, with less chance of him getting fouled.. Just something to consider. I may indeed go with the braided just for that reason. Does that make sense to anyone?
BB in SC

The 80# braided line is rough when you hook a stump in 70 foot of water. I'll be respooling all my cat rods with 30# mono as soon as the line gets here. I'll use the braided line for leaders.

 

[Bill in SC]

Well, I went and got some 25# Berkley Big Game mono. Then, after getting home I thought, heck I'm going to take this back and find some braided 80#. Now, after reading Riverrats post, just as my suspicions are, the braided would be hell to get loose from a snag. I'm going to go ahead and proceed with the mono. I guess there is a catch 22 here. Like Rivercat said, "you give a big cat an inch, and you're hung". All this being said, I have heard no mention of anyone using 30# braided. Wonder if that would be a happy medium?
BB in SC

 

[mariofish]

for fishin' the Big Pee Dee? I've used 20 to 30 through the years, but was just wondering what you guys like most. Y'all use steel leaders? I do.
BB in SC

i 20lb:roll_eyes:

 

[mariofish]

The pee dee has more snags than any river or body of water I have ever fished so I do just what you say I will throw right up in the trash pile and winch those big flatties out of those hidding areas. That is just what I use on my river rods I use 40lb braid and 60lb mono leader while drifting at the lake. I say give then and inch and you are hung in the river.

nice fish rivercatsc:cool2:

 

[RiverratSC]

I will still use 20# braided on my bait rods because I catch more 5 lbs channel cats than I want to trying for bait.

I hung the 80# braid on a stump at Monticello and pert near sank one side of my boat before I broke it off.