Okuma Cat Slayer Rod

The team at Okuma has spent the last year developing their new catfish rod, the Cat Slayer. It was specifically designed to target and catch big catfish in lakes and rivers. This rod comes in two types:

• The Cat Slayer Rod – This rod is a two-piece green rod that can be broken down and transported easily from place to place. It has a fiber rod blank with heavy-duty stainless-steel guides and hook keeper. One of the cooler aspects of this rod is that it was primarily designed for night fishing. These rods feature UV activated paint and guide wrapping, meaning that when it’s under black light it will glow for maximum visibility. These rods come in Medium and Medium Heavy casting/spinning models in different rod lengths – 7’, 7’6” and 8’ with EVA grips to provide comfort when battling big catfish. MRSP $59.99
• The Catfish Slayer Custom Rod – Just like its twin rod, this rod is UV activated when under a black light to ensure maximum visibility. It is orange in color, while being bigger and beefier than the two-piece Cat Slayer rod. This custom rod is a one-piece E-glass rod blank with heavy-duty-stainless-steel guides and hook keeper. Other features include a heavy-duty aluminum reel seat with a double lock nut and shrink tube grips for maximum comfort and durability. These rods come in Medium, Medium Heavy and Heavy action casting/spinning models in 7’6” and 8’0”. MRSP $119.99

Whisker Seeker Hog Seeker Catfish Rod

This catfish rod is the newest product for Whisker Seeker Tackle. These fast-action, medium-heavy rods have S-Glass blank construction with UV reactive blank for improved visibility when night fishing. Anglers can choose between a one-piece or two-piece rod. A unique feature I thought worth mentioning was the extra-long handle and foregrip to control big catfish when bottom bouncing or bumping. Other features include EVA Camo grips, graphite-composite reel seats and dual lock nuts for the reel seat. These rods come in casting/spinning models with orange and green colors. MRSP $59.95

Whisker Seeker 60 Catfish Baitcasting Reel

This newly engineered reel looked very smooth. It has a carbon-fiber drag system, and a six-pin centrifugal brake system that gives anglers enhanced control and precision during casting. The advanced centrifugal brake system slows down the spool when casting, which helps prevent backlash. Furthermore, this reel has a gear ratio of 5:3:1. The spool rotates five times for every handle turn. That’s a fast-action reel right there! I was also intrigued to see that this reel has a bait clicker, which all catfishermen know is a game changer. Having that bait clicker allows you to hear the sound of a fish bite. This reel is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, which gives it more durability to withstand use and abuse when fighting big catfish. Probably the coolest feature of the reel is that the cast knobs, handles and hardware are UV reactive, which allows you to see them at night. This is a big plus for catfish anglers. These accessories also come in several different colors. MRSP $149.95-199.95

Catfish Pro Dragon Fire Catfish Rod

Catfish Pro has been going to ICAST for some years now, and I was excited to see their newest design in catfishing products. I’m introducing to you the new Dragon Fire rod. These rods are not yet on the market (attendees got a sneak peek at ICAST). They come in their traditional orange color and also black. The entire rod glows in the dark, making it very easy for anglers to see at night. There is a two-piece rod that ranges from 7 feet all the way to 10 feet. They come in Medium, Medium Heavy and Heavy action. Then there is the one-piece single rod that is 7’6”. This rod comes in Medium Heavy or Heavy. Other features of the rod include stainless-steel guides, EVA X-grip handle and an aluminum lock nut. (Photo not yet available. This rod will be released later this year.)

Quantum Strive and Quantum Benchmark Rod/Reel Combos

These two spinning rod/reel combos are designed for big saltwater fish. However, I can really see how this could carry over into the catfish world. Both the Benchmark and Strive spinning reels come in a 5000 and 6000 model. The reels have an aluminum frame with a high max drag. The 5000 series reel has a max drag of 30 pounds, while the 6000 series has a max drag of 35 pounds. The rods are two-piece models that come in 8’, 9’ and 10’. This would be the perfect surf rod for catfishermen who love to fish from the bank and need to make long-distance casts. The rod has 304 stainless-steel guides that work perfectly for braid, monofilament and fluorocarbon line. (This combo will be released in the Fall of 2024.)

TTI Blakemore Boss Kat Sabiki Rigs

A big part of the catfishing game is getting bait. Boss Kat has come out with the Boss Red Sabiki Rig, the perfect rig for catching skipjacks and other baitfish. This rig comes in a hook size of 4, 6, 8 or 10. The dropline is 10-pound test, and the length of the rig is five feet.

Whisker Seeker Fishing Line

Whisker Seeker is releasing their new high-performance monofilament fishing line in the toxic green color. The one I looked at was 30 pound/500 yards.

Whisker Seeker 3-Position Rod Holders

The unique design of these rod holders allows you to place your rod in three different positions, providing flexibility and convenience. Features include powder coated stainless-steel material, a built-in stomp plate and UV reactive colors. MSRP $29.95