Playa lakes or other large ponds, particularly when man-made, don't offer a lot of surprises. Sure there may be a couple of small holes or depressions here and there on the bottom. For the most part, the depth gradually increases as you approach the middle.
In the winter, most catfish in a playa or a pond are going to be in the center area. That's where the water is deepest and therefore warmest. If you have a boat, accessing this area is straightforward.
However, I don't have a boat. Many playas and ponds aren't even large enough to accommodate them. During the winter, you need a rod and reel that will allow you to cast as far toward the center as possible.
I recommend using a thicker, longer rod for this endeavor. There are various brands, including Ugly Stik and Cat Stik. They vary in heights from 6'6" to 7'7". If you frequent smaller bodies of water, I think the shorter rod is perfect. See below.
It's a heavier pole, so you need a larger reel with sturdier line. I like the Zebco 733. See below.
It comes pre-spooled with 20 lbs test line, which is perfect. Just remember to increase your weight and use a slip sinker rig to achieve maximum casting distance.
Allbeit a small success, I still caught a catfish.
On a side note, I also landed a 2.89 lbs carp with corn about 20 feet from the bank. Hopefully that's a sign of more active carp feeding in the days and weeks to come!
Tight lines!
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