# Short rod for catfish? **URL:** \ **Category:** Utah Fishing General\ **Created:** [April 9, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/short-rod-for-catfish/455593 "2020-04-09T16:57:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TubeDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@TubeDude](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/TubeDude)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 11:01pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/short-rod-for-catfish/455593/1 "2020-04-09T23:01:01Z")
> [@catchinon](#): > > The 5001 is just the left-hand-crank version. I don’t care which hand I reel with as long as I can remember which end of the pole to hold onto. > > \*\*My 5000 C was a left hand also.  I have a definite preference for left side retrieve. > > Also, I have one casting rod I use for fligging off my tube that is barely 5’.  Love it for close quarters and it has plenty of power when needed. > > Very perceptive in your evaluation of the importance of different aspects of fishing.  Very hard to crank a reel from either side if you do not have a firm grip on the rod.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Mooseman75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mooseman75](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Mooseman75)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 8:49am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/short-rod-for-catfish/455593/2 "2020-04-10T08:49:10Z")
> _“catchinon” pid=’ wrote:_ I won an Abu-Garcia 5501C3 at the banquet last November. It was strung with 20# braid. I paired it with a 38" medium-heavy ice rod for lakers, and it worked fine for pups. Now I’m wondering if I could use it trolling for catfish. It would make a great back-up rig stored in a locker on my boat. Do you think it is too short to have the necessary leverage for cats that might run up to 12 pounds+? Any other insight you care to share about the reel, etc? The Abu garcia 5500 c3 is the Swedish higher end made version of the Abu’s vs. The Chinese lesser counter parts you get room sportmans or cabelas. It’s the stiffened between $80 new and $130 new. You got a great reel. I have the lesser 5500s and  6600s and I put them on the whuppin stick medium and medium heavy from  cabelas. They run about $24.99 regular price. ---
**Author:** ![Fishhound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/0ea827/32.png) [@Fishhound](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Fishhound)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/short-rod-for-catfish/455593/3 "2020-04-10T13:19:49Z")
> [@TubeDude](#): > > **Not exactly sure what the reel is, but I had a 5500 C that was a jewel. I let someone talk me into selling it and have regretted it often since. Ideal size for cattin’.** > > I believe I resemble that remark ! LOL. That particular reel did fall in with some rather suspect company, but it has performed exceptionally for the better part of 15 or more years and brought in countless fish of all types. Silky smooth and reliable even though it has gone swimming on several occasions - with and without me. Although I use it mostly nowadays for musky and other casting intensive fishing techniques since it is such a joy to cast. I have other ABUs and Penns(USA made models) dedicated to catfish. > > I would love take this opportunity to thank the individual who talked you into giving it to me way back when for little more than a song and the jig that I danced when I got it home. > > [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/bigfishtackle/original/2X/b/b1b03940c55bf6a644d7082814d957e2e7a3a07c.jpeg)](https://ibb.co/z4DGJ7g) [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/bigfishtackle/original/2X/b/b85639045e7b2dd6d16f1cb48a1e2947c5257f0c.jpeg)](https://ibb.co/DVQwsRN) [upload pic](https://imgbb.com/) ---
**Author:** ![TubeDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@TubeDude](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/TubeDude)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/short-rod-for-catfish/455593/4 "2020-04-10T22:12:34Z")
> [@Fishhound](#): > > _“TubeDude” pid=‘1097439’ dateline=‘1586456300’ wrote:_ > > **Not exactly sure what the reel is, but I had a 5500 C that was a jewel. I let someone talk me into selling it and have regretted it often since. Ideal size for cattin’.** > > I believe I resemble that remark ! LOL. That particular reel did fall in with some rather suspect company, but it has performed exceptionally for the better part of 15 or more years and brought in countless fish of all types. Silky smooth and reliable even though it has gone swimming on several occasions - with and without me. Although I use it mostly nowadays for musky and other casting intensive fishing techniques since it is such a joy to cast. I have other ABUs and Penns(USA made models) dedicated to catfish. > > I would love take this opportunity to thank the individual who talked you into giving it to me way back when for little more than a song and the jig that I danced when I got it home. > > [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/bigfishtackle/original/2X/b/b1b03940c55bf6a644d7082814d957e2e7a3a07c.jpeg)](https://ibb.co/z4DGJ7g) [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/bigfishtackle/original/2X/b/b85639045e7b2dd6d16f1cb48a1e2947c5257f0c.jpeg)](https://ibb.co/DVQwsRN) [upload pic](https://imgbb.com/) > > **Glad it has served you well. All’s well that ends.**