Walmart Fishing Reel for Big Catfish

[@EagleEyesTienda]

Caught a 47 lb blue on a Zebco 808 with stock line this year. Firm believer that’s it’s the fisherman not the gear that catches fish. Love that Zebco though.

[@bfd720]

My bride and I both use the Zebco 888 everytime we go fishing. The last time out, she pulled in a nice 20 pound blue. We love them

[@Yelladog78]

Bought a Zebco 808 Boss Hawg combo from Walmart in late February. Replaced the line with Berkley Trilene big game 30lb. Memorial day went fishing and caught my first flathead, 25lbs from 30 feet deep.

[@fishinwithbigmike2674]

OH yes they can. When i started using baitcasters i started with the Shakespeare tidewater. They work great as a starter reel!!!

[@jthunder57]

I tried a spin-cast reel decades ago. Deemed it to be junk. It's great to see an example have its day in the sun! Thanks, Dieter!

[@tonyjackson6023]

I received a Zebco Big Cat outfit as a present a Year ago and it has worked great. I have fished from shore and have dozens of 10-20 pounders notched.

[@tonyh.927]

I have been using the 808's for the last 20 years bank fishing and I have NOT had any issues. Not one has broken and I'm still using them to this day. I purchase them all at the local Walmart

[@fredbalster3100]

I have a few zebco 888 and 33max reels. Easy to fish and rig. No nests, lighter terminal rigs, and a bait clicker. Tap the button on your knee to get line to rig the line and bait. Left hand crank. Simple for every one in the boat to operate.

[@TheMatthew72]

I can not describe how happy this makes me. I have been a ZEBCO man since day one. I have the 888 Big Cat XL and come spring I'll be in a river hunting them Biggins!

[@pjserny]

What's your experience been with the big cat?

[@TheMatthew72]

@@pjserny it's tough as nails. Casts way out and I like tight lining with it.

[@chrisspivey3685]

My first big cat I caught was 32 lbs on zebco 33. Reel was never the same but it got that one in.

[@vboutlaw6537]

Many a striper and blues have been brought in with the old trusty 808's. PB is a 49 lb blue on 30 lb line.

[@topherd1011]

I took my old zebco 33 out not long ago. Accidentally caught a 12 pound channel cat and a 10 pound blue cat on it- same day. It can certainly be done… just don’t expect to horse anything in! It took awhile but it worked!

[@texasplumr]

My Father In Law used a Zebco 1 and that's all that he used. He landed some big fish with that thing over the years. Sadly, he's not healthy enough to fish with my son and I anymore but then, he's 85 and has no regrets. I just hope that I can say that at his age. I fished with the man for 50 years and he's one of my heroes, I'd do anything in the world for him! And my son; he'd just tell me to go dig a hole if he ever heard somebody say anything negative about his Granddad! But the three of us, well, we had some fun times, adventures and some close calls over the years. Some of them I can't write about due to that pesky Statute Of Limitations! LOL! I wouldn't trade the world for those memories and I know that my son will be devastated when we get that inevitable phone call one day. Thankfully, that day is not today.

[@stingforester4673]

Love the channel. You are too cool for school... i have been using those 808 for years.. 1-30 lb no issues... but you start working with the over 30 those reals will start skipping with braided line. I have found the 808 saltwater are definitely my favorite with 50 lb power pro line... ive used 808 888 and 808 saltwater for the last 25 years. This season is my first with the standard abu 6500 and mad Kat ghost 10foot. One thing i can say, those 808 are perfect for a new catfisherman... no birds nests... no fuss. Just cast and go. And are perfect for those eater sized fish. Thanks for all you do for the community!!! I will be out this year to charter your services.

[@jeffreyneely9283]

All I fish with , have landed big ones. Pops always used them ,never have to worry about back lashes .Have caught them over 50 in Santee .

[@eugeneritchie7885]

Last weekend I bought 2 zebco 888 rod and reel combos for 20 bucks apiece. I love zebcos.

[@BastaGenug]

I started with Zebco and still use them when fishing for food. You should keep using the 888 until you catch something big enough to wreck it.

[@fishlovme]

I love that you try things like this even though you have expensive equipment. I own 4 catfish rods. One of them I bought just for when someone is with me and let me tell ya, that 20 dollar walmart combo with the Zebco 606 has caught more catfish than I can count! If you know how to play a fish then just about any rod and reel will work. I've seen 4 foot sturgeon reeled in with an ultralight setup, so I know the cheaper stuff works!

[@bryanoliver5550]

Welcome back to catfishing , your Zebco 888 fishing reel came through for you , just be sure the drag is set and you should be bringing in many Catfish in the future .

[@davidransom4476]

My first reel back in the 60's was a Shakespeare Wondercast.

[@rogerlamberth2969]

Any 33 I like. Micro. K. Model. Max. Great reels. Upgrade them to 5 bearing reels. You will love them.

[@papilloncycles3463]

How do upgrade a 33 to 5 bearings? I have a few, love them, but would like to try!

[@bobbynewton9247]

Enjoyed Dieter thanks for sharing man God Bless

[@lisaspencer5483]

My husband always used walmart reels and rods he upgraded his gear this year and hasn't been as successful this yr fishing. He says that them round reels are really nice but he'd rather catch a mess than look good landing just one

[@ericholt7102]

I have caught catfish and carp over 40 pounds with Zebco 33's

[@burch10101]

I have 3 of those they work great with 30 yours has a rattle to it every so often I hold the button down on mine and spray wd40 into it just to lube the gears that may help that rattle

[@smithfamilyfishingadventur3212]

Loved this. I was laughing the whole time you were reeling that fish in on the Zebco. That thing was grinding hard! Got the job done though! Haha

[@pedrocruz4710]

Good stuff Dieter!

[@clintwalker7690]

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

[@catfishreaper4922]

I had a 30 lbs flattie on my 888, I had 20 lbs line on it and it brought it up to the boat no problem but the flattie got in the anchor rope and got broke off.

[@googtube8938]

Always felt a spin cast reel put too much stress and ware on the fishing line due to the severe internal angle imposed on the line during retrieval.

[@wesleyhathcoat1271]

I use the 888 every year and don't cost but 35 dollars , thanks Dieter

[@lancedennison9341]

Yep they will ! My bestie got a 49 and change flattie out of the Kanawha . Remember you from the BOC . Hope west KY produced a 150 plus Buck for ya . Fish On !

[@DieterMelhorn]

My son got a 140” eight this year and I got a narrow 13” wide 130” deer....we came home very happy and thankful!!!

[@lancedennison9341]

@@DieterMelhorn gr8 ! Moved back 2 WV settled for about a 130 9 pointer myself .Congrats !

[@texasplumr]

I guess you made a couple of videos this *first* time back in 2 months? LOL! I'm just having fun because that's what you said the other day. I guess that maybe you were Perch fishing then. Good to see you post again. Some of us notice when you're MIA.

[@bricehale6593]

I took my friend fishing on his birthday he got a zebco 808 as his gift first cast first fish was a 33# flathead

[@thatslowhemi6272]

did you replace the line with a better line? if so which?

[@thereelangler3880]

Dieter what size is that piscifun reel and do they perform and can they handle the abuse they would take on a catfishing trips

[@turboboy0]

since i pretty much only target catfish nowadays i use "free" bait. expired steak, shrimp, hotdogs, chicken. i have 12 rods/reels but i love using my dock demon 2.5' rods for catfishing. one has a penn pursuit4 4000 with 30lb braid and a 4/0 circle hook and the other has a penn pursuit4 6000 with 80lb braid and a 6/0 circle hook. have not lost a fish since switching to braid. really wish one of my 8000 series reels with 80lb braid or my daiwa df100a with 100lb braid would fit. would be hilarious. i do have 1 conventional "round reel". it is a penn warfare 30lwlclh spooled with 50lb braid and paired with a shakespeare 6' sturdy stick medium.

[@CarlSimpson-s9i]

Great Video!!!

[@DieterMelhorn]

Thanks for the kind words!!

[@stonefly7158]

My fiancé has used 2 of these past 4 years as she doesn’t like my bait casters or spin reels ! Her’s is equipped with 30 lb braid and mono leader and they are on ugly stiks !

[@adamrackard6129]

The last time I used a zebco 888 was taking my nephew out targeting flathead and I must have set the drag too tight because the first run on a 23lb flathead literally exploded it so we hand lined it in... it was a disaster but I have never laughed so hard fishing

[@russellbolte6784]

Are your dragging weights fixed to the swivel or are they on a slider?

[@kent7525]

Good review thx

[@chriscostlow4210]

Funds are very limited right now and all I have to fish with is 2 808s and a shimano solstice. I absolutely hate the equipment I have but I'm still at the river almost every Wednesday. I brought a 28lb blue cat to the bank and had to jump into the edge and manhandled it to the bank. After that catch the reel has never worked great again but it's all I got right now.

[@LastMinuteAndy]

Dude you are awesome!

[@DieterMelhorn]

Thank you and thanks for watching!!!!

[@jeffreygates8530]

you need to do a series on vintage equipment

[@ethancostello9473]

Hey dieter my grandpa passed alway yesterday and he always but the line on my fishing reel for me and he passed alway so I don’t have any body to put line on my fishing reel so I have to learn on my own can you make a video of how to put line on a baitcaster pls and thank you

[@philt1972]

My buddy that goes with me uses a 888 and 808 and catches 20 and 30 lbs no problem he has even caught a 52.5 lb on the 888.

[@johnnysellers8213]

What size circle hook are you using on the Walmart rod

[@markskinner2642]

What pound line did you use on this rod and reel combo

[@therhythm1395]

Caught a 33-pound flat with a walmart baitcaster and a walmart big cat rod. they manhandled that ‘ol boy.

[@Brunnen_Gee]

I picked up one of those Zebco Boss Hawg combos last year because it was hilarious and cheap, two things I'm a fan of. The biggest thing I've caught on it so far was a tree, which it managed to winch out of the water with ease.

[@ChrisDavis-dt6xx]

Great video

[@garybowen4623]

What make and model is your boat?

[@leroyjantz9717]

I don't have a problem with bank fishing if u know how to read the signs it easy

[@johnhenderson7094]

We got cat fisherman lined up to buy ice rods lol. We will try anything

[@stephenparker1428]

Paint it pink...maybe that will help.

[@redneckcatfishing]

No reel will ever replace pinky

[@robbiesmith9786]

2 months is that the 2 fingers u use on the cat fish lol

[@CatfishingwithCos]

Of course it can...its the bait not the rod...

[@givemeabreakdoc]

Man, I’ve tried spin cast in multiple brands. Even the $90 version. Just complete POS. Gear ratio is just pathetically slow, heavy as hell. They just SUCK. Can you catch fish with them? Yeah. But you’ll wear your rotator cuff out with all the reeling you have to do. It’s a shame too, cause they are, by far, the easiest to cast.

[@billyt9885]

Dieter check out cat fishing Arizona Jeff uses the 888s Like your stuff