I have just connected with an old friend and we are going to do some catfishing on the Tennessee river. Fish could be from 5 lbs to 60 lbs. I want to stay under $200 and under $150 if possible.

I was thinking Penn reel and Ugly stick rod but I have no idea what size. I want something that could handle an occasional big fish but be suitable for 5-10 lb fish most of the time.

Wouldn't be casting more than 50 feet. and I'll likely use 25 lb test.

I would get the Abu Garcia Big game if it is a better reel. it's about $170 though VS $50 for the Penn. I know Penn was good at one time but the plastic side plates and cheap price have me concerned. The Abu is over budget but I'll go there if necessary.

I'm mostly a bass fisherman and don't have much experience with the bigger equipment but I might start trying for some Stripe if I do get a rig that's good enough quality.

Wish I could help but I strictly jug fish for cats an only target big ones.

Take my advice and find on sale chicken breast, bigger chunk, bigger fish

Good luck

Tidewater reel and Shakespeare big games from Walmart. Cheap and dependable especially for the price. Boated several 30-40# blues and one 43# flathead this spring.

I wouldn't hesitate to use one of the cheaper models from one of the reputable manufacturers. Catfish are known to roll, not necessarily for their ability to burn many yards of drag. You don't need a reel that will handle the drag burning runs of saltwater fish and you're not trying to cast the same distance as most bass fishermen. Most reels will probably fit this bill.

I'll second this. I do a good bit of cat fishing when I can, and mostly all from the bank. I have hooked into a few good ones this year, the largest touching about 30lbs or so, and the cheap combo I bought more than handled the job. It's an offshore angler combo from bass pro, which ran me in the 45 dollar range. It can cast just as far as the high dollar combos. You really don't need to invest a ton of money into a catfish rod unless you are going after some behemoth sized fish. And anything can happen when you're fishing so if you lose it or it breaks you aren't out a ton of money. Just my style of fishing but I don't sink a ton of money into a rod and reel. Gotta save my spare change for deer season.

Ceehawk is right. And if your in a boat just stay on top go the fish and worki him straight up. Where are you fishing the tn river

For bass, I want good combos. For catfish, I want something that gets the bait out in the water and gets it back in (but do prefer open-face reels). $25-$30 should be plenty to get you one that will work just fine.

I mostly fish for Stripers and Crappie. Most of my Striper reels are Abu Garcia Ambassaduer 6500c or 5500c. I have also reeled in a few Blue Cats with them below Guntersville Dam, that were 35lbs+. One was 43lbs. String one of these up with some Berkley big game or some braided line, and put it on a 7' MH or H Ugly stik, and you have a pretty good catfish winch, and for under $150.00