Fishing line question

[Michigan Man86]

I have a rod rigged up for big fish, and the aim is to use it for catfishing, mainly channels, size range would be probably 7# to 25#
the question i have is should i use mono or braided line? should i have a backing on my reel with a main line?
im new to this sort of fishing, always been an all around guy (one rod/reel for all species) but i'm realizing its easier to boat fish with the right gear as much as the lure, any help is appreciated. thanks

[kdlong]

first question is are you fishing from or on a boat.#2 what line weight does your say on it. are you having to cast long distances. i use mono 30# trilene big game when i am casting especialy long distances. if i am drifting or running jugs off my rod i use braided 100# or 150# power pro. when i use braided i tie a swivel to the end then tie on a drop leader of 50# usually about 6 - 10 foot long. i will then put short piece of 20# on for the sinker. the sinker is what gets hung the most and the 20# will break easier . i make loop in the drop line tied with a blood knot the loops are from 6" to 10" long. if catfish feel the line with their whiskers they wil just hit at the bait but with a loop they will swallow the bait. i use a hook no smaller than 5/0 .

[Michigan Man86]

I usually fish from the shore, the reel lists 16# at .35/pMM and 20# at .40/pMM lines recommended for it. The rod is about a 7 1/2 ft. pole, its heavy action, but it doesnt have any line restrictions written on it.
The reel is a Baitcasting type, not the bass fishing kind though

[kdlong]

I would spool it up with a good 20# mono line. That way if you birds nest it it wont cost so much and it will be easier to work out. The rod shoul handle anything you can dish out. The 20# line will bring in bigger fish than you can imagen. After you get it spooled up you are ready to go. You will not need a drop or anything just use the same main line to tie the hooks and sinker to. If you are river fishing whete there is a pretty good current try some flat sinkers they will hold better than round ones. With a 7 ft rod you will want a sinker between 2 to 4 oz weight. Good luck

[Michigan Man86]

Thanks a bunch kdlong. Now i just need better weather to try my Cat Pole out

[Bobby J]

thanks Good info.

[BULLFROG-1]

20 lb mono would be fine, 30lb mono good too.I have just recently switched to braids on my cat reels(penns)Used 30lb mono to 80lb mono for a long time.Im watching to see how the no stretch (braid-dyneema) 100lb test works on my drag.The reason i use penn reels on my cat rods is the excellent drag system for fighting them big river cats.Course with all the flooding the rivers been doing its to dangerous for me to fish in this year so far.So well see.

[throbak]

I use Ic3,s with 100lb braid with 50 lb leaders too much for the little ones but good for the big uns