Catfish Pro Top Cat Power Rod 4.5lb

How well is it built?

Stopping big fish at close range is what this rod is about, and its high-modulus carbon blank is a good base for that job.

It's paired with a heavy-duty metal reel seat sized for the large fixed spool reels catfishing calls for, so it's built to stay put when a heavy fish is pulling hard.

The tip ring is a Fuji, which makes sense, as that's where line friction and wear are highest. The other rings aren't Fuji, and that's one of the ways this entry-level model keeps its price sensible, as the step up in the Catfish Pro range gets Fuji rings all the way through.

The handle is full Duplon from top to bottom, and it's a hard-wearing material that copes well with rod rests, holdalls and wet banks. To be fair, it isn't a premium build, but it's a tough, practical one, and I think 8.5 is about right.

Power & Action

So, what does the 4.5lb+ rating mean? The plus is there because the blank has reserve power beyond its nominal test curve, so it's built to cast heavy, bulky baits and to keep pulling when a big cat is heading for cover.

The through action works alongside that power, and under pressure the blank should bend right down into the butt, absorbing the lunges of a big fish at close range rather than bouncing the hook out.

That's especially useful on a short rod, as there's less length to cushion a sudden run.

What you give up is casting reach, as a 10ft 6in rod won't put a bait as far as the 12ft Catfish Pro Top Cat. For long-range work on big pits the longer rod makes more sense, but for close and medium-range fishing I think the power and action are very well matched.

Handling

In a tight swim, under trees or on a steep, overgrown river bank, a 10ft 6in rod is far easier to cast, to hold and to manoeuvre when you're landing a fish.

It also gives you more direct control at close quarters, which matters when a cat is trying to bury itself in a snag a few metres out.

The full Duplon handle gives a secure, comfortable grip even when it's wet, and the shorter length should make the whole rod feel less unwieldy than a 12ft catfish rod.

That's pretty much the whole point of the Top Cat Power, and it's why it earns its place next to the longer Top Cat.

For anglers fishing cramped or snaggy swims, it's a very manageable rod. I think the 8.5 reflects how practical it is, with only the lack of reach on open water holding it back.

Is it good value for money?

On value, it's hard to fault. It's a mid-priced catfish rod from a brand that focuses entirely on the species, and it gives you a high-modulus blank, a metal reel seat, a Fuji tip ring and a full Duplon handle for the money.

It's the entry point to the Catfish Pro line-up, so you don't get Fuji rings throughout, but you don't need them to land big cats.

Next to the Wychwood Agitator CR-D in its 10ft 4.5lb form it's a close call, and the choice comes down to whether you prefer this rod's metal reel seat and Fuji tip or the Agitator's braid-friendly SiC guides.

I'd recommend the Top Cat Power to UK catfish anglers fishing tight swims, snaggy rivers and smaller pits, and to newer catfish anglers who want a capable specialist rod without paying for top-end fittings.