Catfish and Predator Fishing Tackle - Some Tips For Anglers

Fishing for catfish and other large predator fish has a loyal following in the UK. In this article, we'll present a brief overview of what's needed in the way of fishing tackle if you want to pursue this wily fish.

Where to Find Catfish
Catfish frequent sunken trees, reed and weed beds, deeper water and holes. Although they prefer these locations, catfish will range far and wide when feeding, so anglers have a wide range of locations where they can drop their bait. These fish also may congregate near sand bars and gravel bars. Their diet is highly variable and includes mussels, crayfish, snails, shrimps and even dead fish.

Fishing Rods and Reels for Catfish
A fishing rod length of about 12 feet with a 2 1/2 pound test curve is adequate for catfish. The fishing pole action is particularly important in catfish rigs. The term "action" refers to how the pole reacts to bending force and its rate of recovery to a neutral position. Tip action rods flex more toward in the tip and slow action rods flex more toward the butt. For catfish fishing, choose a through-action rod where the flexibility is balanced between tip and butt. A reel for catfish fishing equipment should have a capacity of at least 200 yards for 12 to 15 pound test line. This larger quantity is necessary because these fish are capable of running long distances. Fishing reels for catfish should have the bait runner feature that enables the angler to pay out line freely without tension to the fish. A flick of a lever returns tension to the spool.

Hooks and Leaders for Catfish
Choose strong, sharp hooks with a wide gap for your catfish fishing gear. Double or treble hooks are not recommended, as they are not considered a humane way to hook a fish. These hooks are capable of pinning the fish's mouth shut, ensuring certain death should it escape the fisherman. Because of the areas frequented by catfish, choose an abrasion resistant line for leaders. The line is also abraded by the fish's teeth. A thin and supple braided leader is also recommended. Never use a wire leader as it can irreparably damage a catfish's mouth.

Landing a huge catfish can be a challenge for the most experienced UK angler. The correct fishing tackle can make the difference between success and failure.

Ronan is a passionate fisherman and always looking at new materials and flies and their effects on the quarry fish. Ronan has been lucky in fishing all around the world for many different fish species including salmon, trout, steelhead, pike (or muskie) through to sailfish and marlin.

Ronan Bill is a fishing and hunting equipment professional and a part of Keenstackleandguns. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. Keens is an ultimate source for fishing and hunting equipments, regardless of the type of fishing or hunting equipments you choose, Keens store is the best you can afford. Keens specializes in Fishing Equipment, Fishing Tackle, Hunting Equipment, to be more precise Fishing equipment for sale, Fly fishing equipment, Fishing tackle equipment, Carp fishing equipment, Sea fishing equipment, Carp fishing tackle , Coarse fishing tackle, Fishing tackle boxes, Sea fishing tackle, Fishing tackle shops, Fly fishing tackle, Archery hunting equipment, Best hunting equipment, Buy hunting equipment, Deer hunting equipment, Bow hunting equipment, Hunting equipment UK.

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See my previous post : 8 Step to Fishing Rod Maintenance

8 Steps to Fishing Rod Maintenance

So often we read or hear about proper care of fishing reels, yet what good is a well maintained fishing reel if you do not have a good fishing rod for that reel to be used with? No matter how much or little you have spent on your fishing rods, you can help your rods have long and productive lives by following some basic maintenance tips.

1. Rinsing your fishing rod is an important part of rod maintenance. This step may seem a bit of a pain, but really only takes a few minutes. Fishing in salt waters is a given, with the salt residue being an issue on your rod.
Yet many freshwater fishermen do not realize that algae from the water can also end up harming your rod. By rinsing your rod with fresh, clean water you can remove dirt and residue that can be attached to guides and blanks. If your rod is a little dirtier than a rinse can handle, try using a small soft brush to get the deposits. Don't forget to wipe dry with a cloth.

2. Check your cork handles. It is amazing how many fishermen will treat their guides and blanks with care, while forgetting that essential piece of the rod. Using a mild dishwashing soap and a plastic sponge will keep you cork handle looking good and help stop corrosion due to dirt, water, and other elements.

3. Another way that rods can be damaged is most commonly done when putting in boats or vehicles, yet this can result in the guides being broken off completely or bent. Transporting your rods all bundled up can also see the blanks themselves can being rubbed excessively and they are wide open to other damage like breaks or cuts. Of course the best way to avoid this problem is by carrying your fishing rod in a protective sleeve, case or just carrying them about separately.

4. I must confess that this step has been the hardest for me to follow. Storing a fishing rod with the fishing hook or lure is a wrong method of rod maintenance. The guides can really take a beating from the hooks and have chips, cracks or even breaks.

5. One of the most overlooked ways of caring for your fishing rod comes at the end of your fishing season. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, just when you will be putting your rods away for a long period of time. When this time comes you should slack the reel seat. By releasing this pressure, you can avoid problems with proper fitting of the reel seat and reel foot.

6. Avoid the possibility of developing a permanent bow in the rod, by releasing any tension that the fishing line may be under.

7. Proper storage of your fishing rod is the paramount. After all, if not stored properly your rod will be exposed to many opportunities that could damage or break your rod. It would be best to keep your rods stored in a vertical, upright position. Seek out some sort of rod rack for this. The goal is to support the rods on both ends. Also try to have them up against a solid surface, like a wall or cabinet so they do not have an unnatural "bend" during the time the rods are in storage.

8. Like most materials, your fishing rod is not made to handle hot temperatures. Avoid areas, like your boat or automobiles trunk that have prolonged exposure to the sun. Speaking of heat, I am sure you realize that storing your fishing rod in the sunlight for long periods of time can result in the breaking down or corroding of rod parts. So avoid outdoor walls as an option.

Fishing Rods are an important piece in the fishing equation. More fishing information is available on Fishing Rod Cases or specific angling rods like Salt Water Fishing Rods

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Carl

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Looking Inside Fishing Reel Parts

Fishing reels are sometimes taken for granted and not many people take time to think about the Intricacies of fishing reel parts. They are the device that brings the fish in, and modern fishing reels are fairly complicated devices. The spinning reel is the most popular version used in fishing today, but it is not always the best choice for many types of fishing. You should never guess as to which reel will be the right choice for you while browsing the aisles are a fishing supply store. Understanding how a fishing reel works can help you determine which are the best options for your needs. Spinning reels and baitcast reels are different, and in either case, it is a good idea to chose the reel with the fewest parts and they have the lower chance of mechanical failure.
Reel bodies can be made of plastic, aluminum, steel, or graphic.

Aluminum is tougher than graphite, but graphite is much lighter. It is a personal call whether the lower weight of graphite is worth it trade off in toughness, but it primarily depends on the type of fishing you do. Larger fish will require aluminum, while catching smaller fish allows you to get away with graphite and have less weight to deal with. Graphite is also great at resisting saltwater corrosion. When looking at a reel to buy you should be sure it feels solid and has no loose and rattling parts. There movement should be smooth and there should be no back play.
The reel size is important as well. Lighter lines call for smaller reels, and vise versa. In most cases ten pound test line is as tough as you need, so your reel should not exceed the diameter needed by ten pound test line. However, if you are into serious saltwater fishing you may need a bigger reel and line.
One of the most important fishing reel parts are the gears as these are what connect the crank to the spool. The ratio of the gears determines how many revolutions the spool makes when one revolution of the crank is made. And example would be a ratio or 4:1. This means that turning the crank once makes the spool turn four times. Having a lower ratio, such as 3:1 is advantageous for reeling in bigger fish as it provides more torque. The downside is that the process will be slower. For smaller fish a higher ratio can be used since less torque is needed. The upside is that you can reel the fish in faster.
Drag systems are what apply the pull on a hooked fish, but let the line out when the fish is fighting. This helps absorb the energy of the fish and prevent a broken line or dropped reel. The ball bearings in the reel help keep the action smooth, which aids in a very confident and consistent reeling motion.
Your fishing reel parts when assembled together are the mechanical components that helps you actually bring the fish in. If the reel is not up to the task, you will not catch the fish even though it took the bait. Do not skimp on your reel, but also do not buy a reel that in excessive to your needs as an oversized reel will make catching smaller fish more difficult.

Learn more about finding the right fishing gear by visiting http://www.fishinggeartips.com - a website that offers information on fishing including tips on fishing line, fishing rods, fishing lures and fishing reels [http://www.fishinggeartips.com/fishingreel.php].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins  

See my previous post: Spinning Reel Tips