Decided to try a new kind of rod....

[CatfishBilly]

Although almost all my reels are Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs (except the Tica Caiman I bought this winter) I have an array of rods I go cattin' with.
Its a pretty average but good bunch of rods.
1 10' Ugly Stick with the euro handle for long casting.
2 8' Cabelas Whuppin' Sticks, man I absolutely love those rods, and they are cheap, but tough as nails.
1 9' Cabelas King Kat rod, just got that one this year, so dont know how it will work, but it feels, and looks to be a nice rod.
And last but not least...I took a chance and spent some bigger bills on a rod.
I bought a 7' St. Croix premier musky rod. I was very impressed by the strength, line and weight rating, and most of all, the weight of the rod itself. Man this thing is light as a feather. They use a silicone carbide compound for the eyes as well. Im really hoping to nab something huge on that so I can put the St. Croix name to the test. I hear they are great rods, lets see what the local flatheads think.
Bill

[hoythunter48]

I purchased a bass pro musky rod saturday, its 6'3'' xh and it really feels like its gonna be a good rod, i dont know how great it will be on the bank for cats, but it should be good from the boat, i also got a 9 foot catmaxx casting rod for use on the bank. Ive seen those st croix rods your talking about, they sure do feel good and they are definitley sturdy, have you checked into the st croix classic cat rods?

[katfish]

Billy

I rigged an Abu 6500 to an Ugly stick last winter and loaded it with 20 lb Trilene big game line. I figured I would try flatheads with it but would probably use it for channel cats.

I got a 35 an was impressed enough to keep using it.
I later got a 52 so I guess with a little patience it will handle most cats.



My favorite cat rods are the Quantum Big Cats and I have caught several 50+ lb flatheads with the heavies.
I got a medium last Fall and may get another before this season starts to see how I like them for flatheads.

I hope things work out with your new rods ;D
I am chompin at the bit to get after flatheads again.

[CatfishBilly]

I think the St. Croix will work out real well, but Ill know more when Mr. Whiskers puts it to the test. I would like to get one around some brush so I can put some horse'n on the fish and see how the rod reacts.
Katfish, Ive seen those Quantum rods but never bought one. I know alot of guys that use those though.
My 10' Ugly Stick has been one of the best rods Ive bought. You could hook and train on that thing and probably almost win...

The Ugly Stick Tiger Rods are wicked too, I dont have one but I know 2 fellas that use them exclusively.
I will still stand behind those Cabelas Whuppin Sticks though, for the price they are the most impressive rods I have.
Man.........I cannot wait to get back on the bank.
Bill

[CatfishBilly]

Hoyt,
Ive never heard of the St. Croix classic cat rods.
I cant find them in my catalogs either, but that does sound extremely interesting.....

Bill

[hoythunter48]

www.fish307.com/fish/St.CroixClassicCatCastingRods.htm

thats them, personally i dont think they would be worth it but ive never seen one. i like my bigcat catmaxx and ugly stiks.