03-04-2006, 01:08 AM
[cool][#0000ff]Whew! Sounds like somebody's gettin' seeeerious. Good on ya.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Forget the urban legends. There are no 100 pound blue cats in Utah Lake. But, there are some 30 plus channels. People hook them every year, but most are using the standard 10 pound line with the drag hammered down...and that does not hold up long when you are attached to jaws (whiskers).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am not personally familiar with the gear you listed, but it sounds impressive. The main thing is a rod with enough backbone to set the hook in big hard jaws, line tough enough to withstand both the hookset and the battle and hooks that are both sharp and strong. Too many big fish fanatics do not balance everything up and they pop their line on the hookset with a rod that is too heavy for the line.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The superbraids are tough enough. You do not need the extra sensitivity, since cats are not known for their delicate bites. However, you may need all the help you can get if your monster kitty wants to play "in and out the bushes"...or wants to roll in the rocks. The big ones get big by knowing a few tricks that have sprung them in the past.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I suspect that you will be doing some night fishing. Cats do not have superior vision, even in bright daylight, so using the braid for a leader should not decrease your strikes. Heck, trotliners don't use leaders. They tie their hooks right onto the heavy nylon rope they use for the main line. And they catch some bigguns. No finesse needed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have not personally used the cyalume sticks as a nighttime light source, but have read references of others doing so. I have always preferred to use an easily accessible headlamp, when needed, and to fish in the dark otherwise. Just something about being able to see the lights on the shore and the surrounding mountains in the moonlight that adds to the experience. Having "light pollution" on board makes it difficult to see beyond the fringes of the light. If you are going to have anything, consider a black light.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The really important thing is that you have a good feel for all of your gear. Learn it well in full light so that you can operate everything in the dark. The wrong time to wonder where the drag lever is is when a big ol biggun is contesting your right to keep some line on your reel.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you need some immoral support, I know a guy that has also been having visions of big catfish in his feeble old mind. Bout time we ganged up on em and rassled a few.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Forget the urban legends. There are no 100 pound blue cats in Utah Lake. But, there are some 30 plus channels. People hook them every year, but most are using the standard 10 pound line with the drag hammered down...and that does not hold up long when you are attached to jaws (whiskers).[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I am not personally familiar with the gear you listed, but it sounds impressive. The main thing is a rod with enough backbone to set the hook in big hard jaws, line tough enough to withstand both the hookset and the battle and hooks that are both sharp and strong. Too many big fish fanatics do not balance everything up and they pop their line on the hookset with a rod that is too heavy for the line.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The superbraids are tough enough. You do not need the extra sensitivity, since cats are not known for their delicate bites. However, you may need all the help you can get if your monster kitty wants to play "in and out the bushes"...or wants to roll in the rocks. The big ones get big by knowing a few tricks that have sprung them in the past.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I suspect that you will be doing some night fishing. Cats do not have superior vision, even in bright daylight, so using the braid for a leader should not decrease your strikes. Heck, trotliners don't use leaders. They tie their hooks right onto the heavy nylon rope they use for the main line. And they catch some bigguns. No finesse needed.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have not personally used the cyalume sticks as a nighttime light source, but have read references of others doing so. I have always preferred to use an easily accessible headlamp, when needed, and to fish in the dark otherwise. Just something about being able to see the lights on the shore and the surrounding mountains in the moonlight that adds to the experience. Having "light pollution" on board makes it difficult to see beyond the fringes of the light. If you are going to have anything, consider a black light.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The really important thing is that you have a good feel for all of your gear. Learn it well in full light so that you can operate everything in the dark. The wrong time to wonder where the drag lever is is when a big ol biggun is contesting your right to keep some line on your reel.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you need some immoral support, I know a guy that has also been having visions of big catfish in his feeble old mind. Bout time we ganged up on em and rassled a few.[/#0000ff]
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