Weird Question - Carp/cats - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Goose1993 · 05-31-2015, 11:46 AM

I'm going to be near lake Mead on Monday and going to fish. I'm also going to be at lake havasu in a couple weeks. I normally don't really like freshwater fishing, but I don't mind fishing carp and catfish because they can put some bend in my rod.

The local lakes have small fish so I use my Seeker rated for 8-17# line for these fish. But I'm not sure the size of the whiskered fish out there. Should I use my Seeker inshore rod or my Calstar rated for 15-30# line for carp/cats?

The reason I'm asking is because I can only bring one rod due to space constraints.

Although these vacations will be fun, I'm having some second thoughts because it means missing the hot YT bite right now

LawDog · 05-31-2015, 08:37 PM

depends, you targeting average size carp and cats or the large models? Small to medium large say up to 15ish# can easily be caught on the lighter rig. But good luck landing a 90# carp or 60# cat on a 7-18# rod. But I'd say the lighter rig will catch nearly anything you hook into.

Carp and large cats are VERY line shy. I'd run braid honestly about 20# It's the feel they don't like. Not really the sight. They don't feel the braid as well. Run a hair rig and you'll be golden.

PapaDave · 06-01-2015, 08:25 AM

Why not give the striped bass a try, Lake Mead is supposedly full of them...

05-31-2015, 11:46 AM	#1
Goose1993 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 115	Weird Question - Carp/cats I'm going to be near lake Mead on Monday and going to fish. I'm also going to be at lake havasu in a couple weeks. I normally don't really like freshwater fishing, but I don't mind fishing carp and catfish because they can put some bend in my rod. The local lakes have small fish so I use my Seeker rated for 8-17# line for these fish. But I'm not sure the size of the whiskered fish out there. Should I use my Seeker inshore rod or my Calstar rated for 15-30# line for carp/cats? The reason I'm asking is because I can only bring one rod due to space constraints. Although these vacations will be fun, I'm having some second thoughts because it means missing the hot YT bite right now

06-01-2015, 08:25 AM	#3
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,459	Why not give the striped bass a try, Lake Mead is supposedly full of them... __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

05-31-2015, 08:37 PM	#2
LawDog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 143	depends, you targeting average size carp and cats or the large models? Small to medium large say up to 15ish# can easily be caught on the lighter rig. But good luck landing a 90# carp or 60# cat on a 7-18# rod. But I'd say the lighter rig will catch nearly anything you hook into. Carp and large cats are VERY line shy. I'd run braid honestly about 20# It's the feel they don't like. Not really the sight. They don't feel the braid as well. Run a hair rig and you'll be golden.