This Catfish Rig WON'T Let You Down 👊

Learn how to make a simple catfish rig with carp tackle for catfish from 3lbs to 130lbs!
✅ Watch next: How to catch catfish 👉 • How To Catch Catfish W...
Catfish are the most powerful freshwater species you’re likely to meet. They are extremely strong, very hard fighting fish and will give you an amazing fishing experience.
My go to catfish rig is very simple and is based on the hair rig. For catfish, it’s all about high quality materials, strong knots and solid rig mechanics. You don’t need dedicated catfish tackle or baits to catch catfish, especially in a mixed water where the catfish are used to seeing carp boilies and pellets. This video is perfect if you’re a carp angler and you want to catch a catfish either on a new water or in France. It’s not a rig for the dedicated catfish angler because I’m just using boilies but catfish love them!
⏰ *In this video*:
00:00 Introduction
00:21 How to tie a catfish rig with double baits
05:27 Carp hooks or catfish hooks?
06:16 Catfish or carp hooklink?
07:26 What catfish bait to use?
08:13 Lead setup for a catfish rig
11:03 What mainline for catfishing
12:51 Connecting the rig to the mainline
► What I use for my catfish rig and baits:
amzn.to/45ERdJG
► The gear and tackle I use:
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/matthew...
► Beausoleil Carp and Cats (my lake in France)
www.frenchcarpandcats.com/
► Support the channel:
Use this Amazon link: amzn.to/3TbvnaF for any purchase
Hit the THANKS button in any video
(When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission)
This channel is supported by Nash but I am in charge of the content of each video and only use products I have total confidence in.
#matthewcollins #carpfishingexplained

[@RICK82873]

I use basically the same rig every weekend fishing for giant Mekong catfish and Siamese carp here in thailand. Don’t add anything fancy just make sure it’s simple. Few knots as possible so that it’s as strong as it can be.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, great to hear about your experience with the amazing fishing that’s on offer in Thailand. Good to know that it works great for those species too. Not that I’m surprised. I like your comment about as few knots as possible, that’s so important when fishing for fish that are strong enough to pull you in lol. All the best with your fishing this year. Cheers, Matt.

[@brian1204]

Here in the US catfishers often use chunks of baitfish on large hooks, 3/0 to 11/0 circle hooks as well as J hooks.

[@nigelmitchell5618]

Great video Matthew, loads of content as always, very interesting, thanks

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks very much Nigel 🙂

[@stuntznfx]

Another brilliant and informative video!!!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks Dan 😊

[@Ostma.14]

Nice Video! really helped me! Greetings from Austria

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thank you, that's great to hear 🙂

[@jacko4605]

Just made my Sunday 🤣 well done mate great info. 👍🏻

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks mate! Happy Sunday 👍

[@Drumdanimal360]

Hi Matt, wondering if you could do a video on different lead styles and weights, when to use big and small leads etc, cheers

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks Danny, good idea 👍

[@Drumdanimal360]

No worries cheers!

[@Daryl-1]

Hi Matt could you do a video on a good set of baiting needles as there ain’t a lot of video great videos and channel cheers

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks for the feedback mate, we'll add it to the list! Glad you're enjoying the channel. Cheers, Matt.

[@leecollins9112]

Liked video Matt thats my rig for catfishing when I start. if want suggestion for video could you do the tactics for your swims for catfish. Also I see there were sturgen caught 13 years ago but not much said about them can let me know how many in lake did put odd one or two in or good few so get chance catching one I should look at photo catch but just wind me up to much 😊 I would think be getting a good size now and how about catching them guess they pick up the carp /catfish rig cheers

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Lee, thanks for the suggestion. We will do a dedicated video for baiting for catfish at some point mate but I’m not sure when it will be out. We only have one sturgeon now and he’s about 27lbs nowadays. They fight very well and yes he does fall for standard rigs and baits. He likes warmer weather so during the summer he can be quite active and can even come out multiple times in a week! Cheers, Matt.

[@dobrincatteeuw542]

Thanks once again for the great content! I'll give it a try this summer as I would really like to catch a cat... One question: Does one need a specialist reel and rod or does a big pitt and a heavy carp rod suffise? Thanks a lot!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks for commenting. Most anglers that visit us at Beausoleil use standard carp gear and it's all I use myself. Big pit reels are essential and 3.5lbs rods would be ideal but 3lb is the minimum really. There's no real secret to catfishing. I just use standard fishmeal boilies (Scopex Squid) and some good quality pellets. Knock up a mix with some liquid attractive like the spod syrup and just drop the lot in a big heap. It's like the world's largest PVA bag. We call them cat traps. A rowing boat or bait boat is very useful! Good luck, Matt.

[@dobrincatteeuw542]

@@matthewcollinsangler Thank you very much for the advice!

[@Sonikks]

Hi Matthew. I've been watching a while now and I absolutely love your videos. I've never caught a catfish, I mostly fish for pike but I'm desperate to get one this year. I have a few general questions if you don't mind helping out. 1) You mentioned free running, akin to pike deadbaits. Is this absolutely necessary? A few mates of mine swear by bolted carp rigs. Are they that sensitive to weight? 2) What is the "cycle" for catfish for anglers? I mostly fish for pike from late September to early April and then switch to carp or match style. How active are they in summer compared to winter and vice versa. 3) I use braid mainline as I tend to use deep, snaggy water and I don't like leaving rigs out there if I can help it. I'd rather the hook bends out than leave them out. Will this be fine for cats? I assume so. Cheers.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Okay cool, glad you’re enjoying the channel! So in answer to your questions: 1) Running rigs or semi fixed carp rigs both work well mate. That’s a personal preference. There are plenty of good lead systems on this channel that have caught loads of cats so just pick the one you like. 2) Catfish switch on in April and start to shut down in September so they fit perfectly with your fishing calendar. Best time of year is the Spring into early summer. 3) Yes you can absolutely fish for catfish with braid but I would advocate upping the braid somewhat. 108lbs (0.40) Spiderwire would be a good choice and then add a snag leader at the business end. I use the Nash heavy duty mono snag leader material in 30lbs (0.50) for light work or 40lbs (0.60) for heavy work. They do a 50lb (0.70) version as well. This should be at least 10m long. You may well need to beef up your gear on the rods and reels front. Nash does the Dwarfs in 4.5lbs (I use the 3lb version for carp). After that you are into specialist catfish rods up to 6lbs. I’d use heavy duty Shimano big pit reels as a minimum. Hope that helps! Cheers, Matt.

[@leegray8950]

Good morning. Can you please recommend a coated hooklink and what breaking strain for uk catfish? what size and pattern hook would you recommend as well? Regards Lee

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Good morning Lee, It’s all in the video: Hooklink: 07:05 Hooks: 05:27

[@Sonikks]

Which brand of leader is that mate? I can't see it anywhere. Is it braid? Cheers

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, in this video I was using Nash Cling-On 65lb. It’s good stuff. We did a video all about lead free leaders here if you’d like to see how the product splices: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZrUdmeraJqAgZo Cheers, Matt

[@sphyx_4356]

that works too but for me dead baits have always worked way better especially for the big 120cm + fish

[@benjaminciboci7132]

Hi Matthew! Great great video, thank You very much! I wanted to ask, what do You think about putting some worms and then one 20mm boilie on the hair? And would fruit boilies, like strawberry or banana be a good choice or would maybe a citus boilie be better? Cheers!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Benjamin, if there are silver fish in the lake, adding worms isn’t a good idea. Fishmeal or liver meal based boilies are the most effective in my experience. Adding fishmeal pellets works well too. Cheers, Matt

[@benjaminciboci7132]

@@matthewcollinsangler Thank You Sir for the very fast reply! There are indeed silver fish in the lake. So a combination of a fishmeal pellet and boilie on the hair and a pva mesh with some boilies and pellets would be a good rig or? Cheers, Benjamin

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@benjaminciboci7132 Yes but ideally you need a lot of pellets over the top, couple of kilos per rod.

[@leegray8950]

Good evening. When it comes to catfish mainline and hooklink pound, does the mainline have to be heavier or lighter than pound than the hooklink? No one can tell me if the hooklink weight in carp fishing, has to be lighter or heavier than the mainline. I have fox exocet 23lb mainline, don't know what hooklink to use. Mind you in carp fishing, I have 15lb mainline, but I don't know if the hooklink has to be heavier or lighter than 15lb.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Lee, there’s not one definite answer really, it depends on the fishing situation. For catfishing, I would use an abrasion resistant braided hooklink such as 35lbs Armourlink (for short to medium range) or 35lbs Skinlink (if you need to cast further). For your carp fishing, you can use your 15lb mainline as hooklink and make this rig: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqupmqGXbpeVqK8 There are a lot of factors that go into making this decision, it depends on so many things so it’s not a question with a simple answer I’m afraid.

[@leecollins9112]

Hi Matt I thight it be worth a mention on Diawa Sensor line. I use 15lb or 18lb pending what fishing for. Have you ever tried it. Ive been using it for few years now. I do 100 yards cast with it even when dry and had no problems with nest or snap offs anything like that. I use all different sorts of konts and I've never had break off main line or hook pulled off when using direct. Also find it's very good sinker and I think good abrasion. Now I'm no expert but find the different applications I get works really good for me. I love to know what you think of this line it's in £8 range in tackle shops if not tried it give it ago think you like it or if you have what think cheers

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Lee, always good to know about other tried and tested products. I’ve never used the Diawa Sensor personally but I have tested it and some guests have fished with it over the years. For sure it’s good value for money and it does knot well. I’ve found a well tied half blood knot is able to achieve the stated breaking strain most of the time. The only downside to it that I find is that it’s rather spongy (a bit like Big Game in that respect). The sponginess does make it a good choice for catfishing though as it’s good at absorbing the lunges. For my fishing I’ve been using the Nash Bullet in various strains over the last two years and I’m amazed at how strong that is. It’s got less stretch than Big Game or Sensor. I’m using 12lb Bullet on the river which I never thought I’d get away with. Sure I have to add a heavy duty mono snag leader on top of that (it is a river after all) but river carp don’t half pull and that setup hasn't let me down yet lol.

[@Leonf123]

Sensor is a well used line for general angling also, good bet for barbel and feeder fishing

[@FPSWildlifeAngler]

Could you use this rig with big pellets instead of the boilies ?

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Sure, but I wouldn't recommend it. Pellets break down faster than boilies so you’ll need to re-cast more often. Every time you re-cast you risk ruining the hook (this happens 9 times out of ten on my lake). A blunt or damaged hook isn't going to catch you anything so I would always recommend boilies over pellets.

[@alanrichardson7790]

hi mathew i have used some of your rigs in my barbel fishing with success so back wind to your video on spooling line i must admit i have been a label up gang just spooled up berkley big game as video and well what a difference not a pig's tail goes to show at 74 there is still things to learn great vids by the way

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Alan, great to hear that you are having success with the barbel with some of my rigs. I’ve been catching a few massive chub on the river while river carping myself! Everyday’is a school day for me and no one is too old to learn. Great to know that my advice is helping you along your journey. Cheers, Matt.

[@alanrichardson7790]

@@matthewcollinsangler thank you one thing matthew regards rig tube a tungstan sinker will this not make it unsafe if main line parts ?

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@alanrichardson7790 Hi Alan, I think your question is about one of our other videos? If you add a tungsten sinker above the rig tubing it’s really important that it’s smaller in diameter than the rig tubing. This way, if the line does break, the inline lead will just fly over the top of it. I find the Nash medium sized tungsten sinkers to be perfect for this job but various makes are different sizes so test first. I’ve also seen a problem when the inline lead became damaged due to rocks and it no longer passed over the sinker. It’s certainly something that should only be done to solve a specific problem. We use it at Beausoleil to prevent premature cut off from the catfish pectoral fins. Hope that clears that up! Cheers, Matt.

[@alanrichardson7790]

@@matthewcollinsangler thanks matt

[@philm5855]

When I tied any note in braid or mono I always wet it why don’t you ??

[@timothybailey9215]

Help I purchased 28mm catfish halibut boilies. Butwhen I got them from the post they were hard as wood and hard to drill into. How do you prepare a 28mm halibut boilly to use for catfishing. I fish for Bluecats and Shivel heads in the Unity States. Thank you.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi, I'm surprised the baits are that hard… boilies should have a tough outer but be soft in the middle. Maybe you've bought halibut pellets? If you can’t drill them by hand with a bait drill, I’d take a small diameter drill (1-2mm) and a gun drill. Hold the bait in a vice and drill them out. Hope that helps. Cheers, Matt

[@timothybailey9215]

@@matthewcollinsangler thank you for your reply cheers.

[@benwatts4060]

Very interesting rig. I’ve never seen anything like that in the states. Are there laws against using Live Bait.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Ben, on some waters, yes. Ours is a mixed fishery (carp and cats) and carp anglers use 100's of kilos of boilies every year so the catfish see them as a natural food source. That's why this type of rig works very well on these types of waters. Cheers, Matt

[@benwatts4060]

@@matthewcollinsangler I’m a Flathead fishermen. In Cincinnati Ohio the bait of choice for flatheads are live pan fish.

[@leegray8950]

Good evening. I want to catch my first ever uk catfish, but I don't know where to start with rods, baitrunner reels, mainline (how heavy) what hook size and pattern, what hooklink(what pound) can you please tell me in catfishing, does the hooklink have to be heavier or lighter than the mainline?

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hello Lee, it’s all in the video. For catfishing, I would use an abrasion resistant braided hooklink such as 35lbs Armourlink (for short to medium range) or 35lbs Skinlink (if you need to cast further). For mainline, I recommend 25lb Nash Bullet tied to a 40lb Cling on leader.

[@leegray8950]

I only fish very close in or the margins. The fishery I go to is only 2 acres in size. I've never finished a long way out.

[@pooley4891]

Hi Matt, would you recommend using 25lb Berkeley Big game for all Cats? So for an example is 25lb Berkeley ok for a 80lb cat? 100lb? Cheers Love the channel

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi George, yes, absolutely. You could go to 30lb to be on the safe side and still catch cats of any size. At Beausoleil, we have cats to 130lb and I only allow either Big Game in 25lbs or Bullet in 20lbs. I would use a leadless leader like cling on for maximum mainline knot strength (better than a swivel knot). Cheers, Matt

[@pooley4891]

@@matthewcollinsangler Thanks for the reply Matt Cheers

[@jeffbommel9044]

im not sure why u use, that stopper. Just make the loop bigger and use the last boilie as a stopper.

[@leandrothaler8796]

How long do you make the rigs 😁

[@matthewcollinsangler]

I make my catfish rigs 10 - 12” long (25 - 30cm). For another video on rig length you can watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5esqmaBmdhnb7s 😊

[@matthewcollinsangler]

✅ Watch next: Catfishing at Beausoleil 👉 bit.ly/3M6Ref6 I’m a big fan of simple rigs and I don’t believe that you need complicated dedicated rigs to catch catfish, whether they’re big or small. This simple setup has been catching massive catfish here for the last 12 years so I have enormous faith in this simple rig. So get out there and catch yourself a moggie 😊 ► *What I use for my catfish rig and baits:* amzn.to/45ERdJG

[@garethlovell3707]

Very well made video but not sure you could call it a catfish rig with a hook that size versus the size of the baits you’d be using nor 35lb hook link? I would say this is a carp rig just using two boilies.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Gareth, I agree and that’s the main point of the video. If you want to catch massive catfish from a mixed fishery, all you need is a heavy duty carp rig. A number of customers at Beausoleil choose to upscale this rig further with Twisters in size 4s or 2s and double 24mm baits and that’s personal preference. This rig, as shown, has caught multiple 3-figures catfish already this year. The largest was 134lbs on 35lbs Armourlink and a size 4 Twister. I’ve watched loads of specialist catfish anglers come to my lake and blank while their carp fishing mates catch all the big catfish. This went on for years! I understand some anglers don’t agree but it’s the result of 12 years of experience of running a carp & catfish venue. All the best with your fishing. Cheers, Matt.

[@garethlovell3707]

@@matthewcollinsangler I agree with finding a balance as you can definitely over do it, and you’ve certainly had the results by the looks of it. To me size 4 hook and 35lb is a standard carp rig though. Would you use this rig if you were targeting cats? out of interest what lb Mainline do you use and how long did it take to land a 134lb catfish on the 35lb hook link? Not knocking you as you’ve caught a lot bigger cats than myself just curious.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@garethlovell3707 If I want to catch a catfish at our lake this is 100% the rig I use. I tie them all the time for our guests here because they work. The difference between whether I’m targeting the carp or the cats comes down to two factors: 1) Rig length (longer for catfish, shorter for the carp) 2) Baiting strategy. What we do is make up a 2-3kg mix, in a bucket, of fishmeal boilies and pellets, row it out and dump it over the side in a big heap with a rig in the middle. We call them cat traps and the method is tried, tested and highly effective. If you are specifically targeting big catfish I recommend 25-30lb Berkley Big Game. The 134lbs specimen took 40 minutes to land. The limiting factor was not the hooklink but the power of the rod and of the clutch. Also the strength of the angler! It took a team of 3 to lift it out of the water. Cheers, Matt.

[@florinrusu9626]

Ultegra 14000 xtd is good for catfishing?

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Good spool capacity but the gearing is a bit lightweight for catfishing. It depends how big the cats are, the nature of the lake, how often you're going to fish for them.

[@florinrusu9626]

@@matthewcollinsangler thank you for you answer!!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@florinrusu9626 😊

[@stephenmaybank3703]

Hi matt Collins it's Stephen Maybank again can you please let me know what dates are available next year on your lake i am mainly interested in the catfish thank you

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Stephen, can you please send me an email at [e-mail] then I'll have your email and can answer your question in detail or we can chat on FB 😊

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

Ok so Ive tried catching catfish a couple times and i always get something weird happening. My alarm goes nuts and line starts ripping off the reel. I strike and there is nothing there!? I had it happen about 7,8 times on my last session. What is happening lol.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, we get some savage liners at ours but 8 on the trot would be extremely rare. I would always start at the hook and work backwards. I know the catfish guys love their big hooks but I watch small, sharp carp hooks out-catch big hooks week in week out at my lake. After that it’s your rig. Sorry for the dumb question but did you try this particular rig? Did you tie the knotless knot correctly? It’s easy to get wrong as I demonstrate in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3LWgmZ4hdNpgNE If you are still having agg then I would change swims. You might have set up over a catfish hole and a different swim will give you a different angle on them. Hope you manage to solve your problem. Cheers, Matt.

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

@@matthewcollinsangler I haven't tried this particular rig yet, i havent been out for the cats again yet after seeing this vid. I was only on a size 8 hook ready bought hair rig with a halibut pellet on. My mate on next swim also had it where his line was literally moving across the water like something had picked it up and was swimming with it. When he struck he also had nothing and felt no resistance its honestly the strangest thing lol. I shall try a different swim next time and give this particular rig a shot. It really is like theyre ghost fish lmao.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@riverhuntersuk7387 Hi mate, I’d be extremely nervous of any ready-made rig with a size 8 for catfish, might just be okay for small ones. I suspect your hook was blunt or the rig was a bit rubbish. That's why you had a ghost fish experience. I’d try and get away from ready made rigs if you want to make progress. To target cats over carp all you need is a nice bed of pellets over the top. Yes you can fish halibut pellets on the hair too but they break down fast and you’ll be re-casting every 4 hours. Every time you wind the rig in you’ll damage your hook and ruin your chances. That’s why I use boilies on the hair with pellets as the freebies ;) Best of luck, Matt.

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

@@matthewcollinsangler So a nice load of loose pellets down... Good sharp hook to a boilie on the hair 👌👍 ill give that a bash mate, im out for them again next friday.

[@rosliabdulrahman]

👍👍👍

[@leegray8950]

Good evening. I'm normally a carp fisherman in the uk, interested in fishing for uk catfish. My carp rod is a Nash X300 3lb TC 10FT and my reel is a shimmano 6000DL baitrunner reel. I have asked many people on Facebook if I can use my carp rod and reel, everyone has said different things, but no one has said I can use my carp rod and reel. Everyone on Facebook has told me to get catfish rod, reel, mainline, hooks, unhooking mat, all specially for catfish. Can you please tell me what I need for my first time catfishing.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Lee, I’m not surprised that you’re getting very different opinions on catfishing. Catfish anglers only believe in dedicated catfish methods and gear. I run a fishery with carp to 50lbs and catfish to 130lbs so I have a lot of experience on this at my venue. The minimum test curve rod I recommend is 3lb. What really matters when it comes to the rod test curve is the nature of the venue. If it’s open water and snag free, you can land a big catfish on anything, it might just take you a little longer. The rod and reel you have are perfectly fine. You need 20lb mainline minimum, you don’t need specific catfish hooks, you just need strong carp hooks like the Nash twisters in size 4 or 6. Dedicated unhooking mat is nice to have but if you’ve got a large carp cradle, that might be enough.

[@leegray8950]

I have a xl Trakker sanctuary cradle, but I was told by alot of people from Facebook, I can't use a cradle, it's not big enough and it's not flat.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@leegray8950 All that matters is whether the fishery is happy for you to use that cradle or not.

[@leegray8950]

Good morning. While watching that video you did on catfish 11 months ago, I noticed you were testing the Nash Bullet in 20lb as the mainline, how was it? I have Nash sinklink in 35lb as the hooklink, Nash chod Twister hooks (size 6)

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@leegray8950 The Nash Bullet in 20lbs is a great line for catfishing, it’s the only line I recommend for catfishing at my lake (with cats to 134lbs) alongside the Berkley Big Game in 25lbs.

[@eckbertzwick632]

This is how we fish for skimmers on the kontinent.....;-) 2x18mm🙂

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Right, well, every lake is different! Here we can fish with this size of boilies for cats because our guests use boilies for catfishing.

[@Lloyd.delaney._]

I just use a chunk of spam on a hair rig

[@bradleighcoker3289]

I like the detail of your tutorial but I’d always recommend cat hooks for cats. Carp hooks will land some / most cats but cat hooks will land all cats.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks for contributing to the discussion. I know that many dedicated catfish anglers disagree but having watched loads of catfish anglers come here and blank while the carp anglers catch all the big cats, I’m 100% happy with my choice for Beausoleil. Certain carp hooks are not suitable for sure but the Nash Twisters are phenomenally strong (and sharp) for the wire gauge. If they are good enough to bank catfish of 135 lbs then they are good enough for most catfishing situations to my mind. Cheers, Matt.

[@leemanton4994]

👍

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Cheers mate 👍

[@daeraeper]

So not much difference with a carp rig?

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Not much, my cat rigs are 4-5in longer than my carp rigs. You don't need anything more complicated, we've had 3 tonners caught on this rig just this week, you just need quality components.

[@daeraeper]

@@matthewcollinsangler awesome I've been watching your channel a lot as I am trying to start my first fishing 😅 it's very informative

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Wonderful to hear 😊

[@20darlind09]

Nichts besonderes😆

[@bulldogkesel291]

Top 11111111111111111

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Cheers mate 👍

[@jurepetek9034]

Offcourse this is not rig made for the giants, big ones will definetly straighten the hooks. And the line youre using... not strong enough. You need atleast 50kg leadear for catfish and around 30kg main line while they tend to go in many snags. You can't just turn carpfishing into catfishfishing. You need stronger rods, reels, swiwels, bigger and stronger hooks and ofcourse alot stronger main line than just 20lbs. Its just not gonna work with big catfish. And the bait. Why would you use boiles while you have MANY better baits like deadbeat, squids, liver etc. You said many times you need strong knots, which is just not true. I experimented with loads of knots on giant catfish and none of them ever failed me. Aswell the rig has a running lead. For catfish you need 500g+ leads and fix them on line. Overall this video was made by some carpfisherman that just made their rigs tiny bit stronger.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Jure, you’re totally right, for cats above 150lbs, you need totally dedicated catfish gear. I totally understand that this rig is not for the purist catfish anglers and there are of course many different successful methods for catching big cats. It also depends a lot on the type of water. I run a 4 acre mixed fishery with 12 cats from 60 to 130lbs. It’s an estate lake full of features and things like big mussels that can cut through mainline like butter! Our guests are 99.9% carp anglers that enjoy the experience of battling with a big catfish. The method, bait, gear and tackle described in this video have been refined for the last 12 years and is how our guests successfully land these fish. We use boilies because the catfish here see boilies all the time. You’re right, my bias is carp fishing but I have full confidence in the strength of this setup and have spent many hours testing different knots and mainlines. The last thing I want is for our guests to lose gear or fish. This works here but I know it’s not a method for everyone. All the best, Matt.

[@jurepetek9034]

@@matthewcollinsangler Hey mate! Otfcourse, I totaly understand this. Ecen tho I would say these methods are good for catfish to about 100pounds. Im just a experienced long time catfish angler that just said some stuff here. I have nothing against you. NO HATE so everything is clear, I totally support you. And I must say you replied to my comment with all respect. Thank you, really. And again, altought it might seem like that... No hate Kind regards

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@jurepetek9034 No problem at all 😊

[@kriswheeler5686]

As a cat angler myself this is a rig designed to be built from the average carp anglers tackle box. Personally I’d never use less than 40lb mono (amnesia) or 80lb braid hooklength I’ve got 100lb braid on my spools so I’m far more likely to snap up 36lb links than then average carp angler with 2 1/2tc rods Having said all that I’m surprised with fish up to 130lb he’s not encouraging far heavier gear 🤔

[@matthewcollinsangler]

I understand where you’re coming from, and there are of course different approaches that work. I’ve owned this mixed fishery for 13 years and it’s taught me a lot! Carp anglers catch all the large catfish here while the dedicated catfish anglers catch a lot less. I see it all the time and this is why I made this video. I do advise anglers that are serious about banking the large ones to fish powerful rods and reels but they still use this rig and it works. They may use stronger mainline (25 or 30lbs) as this is one of the items we see pushed to its limits but there's no point if their rods and reels aren't beefed up. Catching catfish on braid is very different to catching them on mono. Braid is banned here so perhaps this explains why this small hook approach works. The size 6 Chod Twisters are strong enough to pass an 8 kg deadlift test which is way more than we need to land these beasts. In my experience the rated breaking strain of any material in fishing should be taken with a pinch of salt anyway. Anyway, just a bit more context to explain the choices we’ve made for this lake.

[@rosliabdulrahman]

👍👍👍