What rod to use with this reel?

[Ballzz]

I just recently bought a Garcia 6500 C3 LW. I was thinking of using it as a catfish rig. I already have 2 nice catfish setups. But now I'm thinking I want to use this reel multi-purpose. Catfishing and jigging. Was looking at a Fenwick Eagle GT? Any ideas... It needs to have a little meat on it for the catfish...but not so much for the jign
Suggestions........

Thanks in advance

[paul708]

what size line are you going to use
how big are the catfish you target?
how deep and what are you jigging for?

[gradyfish265]

Had the same reel on a Fenwick GT, hate the rod, great blank but the reel seat is crap, made for small freshwater fish and does not stand up well. Feels like the handle and reel seat are coming apart, Fenwick says it was something I did, but it has been this way since day 1. I have 3 of them and all are the same. Also, the eye lids are not bridged, they are thin wire and will break easily if not babied. They make great blanks but cut way too many corners IMHO. The rod blank is excellent for the reel though. I'd suggest a Shimano Compre rod, built better and offers a similar rod action. I have 2 of them and love them. Not sure if you have ever heard of Crowder rods, they are excellent rods also with a great action to them. To get better quality then the Crowder, you would have to buy custom. I'd say probably a 7'0" rod would be good. I use these rods for striped bass, small fish are 7-10lbs, but I've landed 40lb fish on these rods as well. I use them for live bait fishing and jigging and they both work well.

[Ballzz]

20lb test mono catfish 20-40lb ?

less the 40' of water and jiggn for rockfish and such

Oh and thanks for tip Grady good info about that blank