Kevin Davis, who runs and guides out of Blacks Camp on the Lake Moultrie end of the Diversion Canal, is quick to point out that fishermen need the right tackle to consistently put heavyweight blue catfish in the boat.
“Tackle requirements will vary depending on the size of fish you’re after, but it’s essential for me to have the rig that will handle big fish in February,” Davis said.
“My gear begins with 8-foot B`n’M catfishing rods, especially the Silver Cat model,” Davis said. “This rod has a sensitive tip so the catfish will take the bait, but plenty of backbone to handle a huge catfish. Those qualities are essential to any rod you use because the odds of hooking a 30- to 60-pound fish are very realistic.
“The Santee drift rig is easy to describe, and some versions vary, but on mine I use a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader above a 5/0 circle hook,” he said. “About 6 inches above the hook, I use a 2-inch cigar-shaped float. Above the leader I use a No. 5 barrel swivel and a sliding drift weight from 1 ounce or more, depending on the depth I’m fishing.
“I use 20-pound Vicious line as my main connection from the reel to my terminal tackle. If anchor-fishing the depressions, I use a Carolina style rig with a 2-ounce sinker for flat-lining. The heavy weight will hold the bait in place, and I think it’s crucial when fishing the shallow depressions.”
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