Which is better, a Dodge, a Chevy or a Ford? It all depends on who you ask, and the same goes with fishing rods. One guy will tell you that Such-And-Such a rod is the most durable thing on the planet and could probably survive a nuclear war; the next guy will tell you that he set his against a tree and it broke in half. There are lots of rods to choose from, but here are some of the most popular and well-liked rods on the market.

Ugly Stick

Ugly Stick rods are known for their durability and sensitivity, two things you really need to catch catfish. They have all sorts of special features, like blank-through-handle construction (a graphite core surrounded by a layer of glass), which make it easier for you to feel when a catfish hits your line. They also have certain models designed specifically for the mighty, fighting catfish. This is kind of a standard rod for catfish anglers, and you won't hear too many bad reviews about them. The Ugly Stick Shakespeare Tiger has been one of the most popular models since it was introduced in the '70's.

Berkley Glowstick

This rod is great for nighttime fishing, and works a lot better than most of the other rods that have lights on them. This is because it has a spinner on the end that reflects light, which you don't even need a battery to run. It also has an LED light that you can switch on and off. It's always a good idea to shut it off when you're not using it, because the LED light does run on battery power. These spinners work by spinning when they strike. Catfish can nip at your line so lightly, that it's sometimes difficult to tell when you got a bite or not, and these spinners work a lot better than rods that have little bells or something on them. You can usually pick up a Berkley Glowstick for around $40 new, but if you hunt around you can often get a better deal.

Rhino Night Vision Rods

These are also great for fishing at night, but what's really great about them, even better than the light features, is that they are quality-made. Rhino rods are made by Zebco, one of the most trusted brands of rod makers out there. These rods have a light on the tip and one on the butt. As a word of warning, don't expect too much out of the lighted tip. I've heard of lots of anglers having a hard time getting this feature to work. If you are buying a Rhino, buy it for the patented Rhino grip that makes casting a piece of cake, or the durability of the rod. Rhino's butts are nice and heavy, and most models are longer than regular rods. They have 6 inches more than a regular pole. This, combined with the light feature, smooth feel and overall quality, make the Rhino Night Vision Rod an excellent choice.

Cabela's European Predator

Cabela makes some great rods. They are known especially for their durability, which is really important when you're trying to catch those big suckers. Rods like the Cabela European Predator are made to catch heavy fish that don't give up without a fight. Not only are these rods strong, they are also longer than most, some as much as 11 feet, so that you can do long-distance casting. They usually sell for about $60 new.

Mitchell Catfish Spinner Rod

This is another rod made just for catching cats, with a tough fiberglass rod guaranteed not to snap in half when a giant catfish is fighting on the end of it. This model uses EVA handles, which are both comfortable and durable.

Jim Moyer "The Boss" Rods

This rod is the specialty series of famous fisherman Jim Moyer, who designed the Berkley E-Glass rod. This is a great high end rod, and it comes in a couple of different sizes, depending on where you're fishing. For good sized rivers, they offer the bigger rods, which have stainless steel guides, in addition to the E-Glass and cork used for the handle. The smaller models, which are mostly the same but use titanium instead of stainless steel, are ideal for catching smaller catfish. One of the reasons this is called "the Boss" is that it's heavy duty. These rods go for around $70, which is quite a bit more than the usual stuff you find, but it is a well-made, designer fishing rod that is well worth the price.