What is the best type of fishing rod/reel

[katmai]

Dipnetting

[Caliga]

Should also add... if you're on a lake then spin rod makes the most sense but if you're on a river or creek, fly rod all the way.

I always fish on a lake (except sometimes I fish at the spillway; it's an Army Corps of Engineers lake).

[Caliga]

Other:

Heh, alot of people bowfish down here.

[DisturbedPervert]

Fish like a real man, use a spear.

Real men use their hands

[Caliga]

I just finished setting up the reel, threading it onto the line, and tying tackle onto it.  Then I proceeded to cast it off my deck to get a feel for it.  I caught a dandelion. 

The only issue I've encountered is that the line seems to not always backfeed onto the reel without getting itself looped around the bail and shit.

[Caliga]

Real men use their hands

Noodling is one of those things that seems OSSUM but in truth is kinda a bunch of bullshit.  Not only is it potentially very dangerous, but the catfish is usually seriously injured in the process and won't be able to be released.  Since catfish meat tastes like shit once catfish get large enough to catch that way, there's no use for the fish whatsoever.  It'd be better to not do it and let them spawn.