Review – LumiCat II Rod and Chaos Pro

Like many anglers, I have quite a few rods, quite a few reels, and, understandably then, quite a few rod and reel combinations. Some of the outfits I use once or twice a month; others, almost daily, or as often as I can comfortably set my true responsibilities aside in exchange for time spent on the water!

My recently acquired Piscifun Chaos Pro baitcasting reel and innovative LumiCat rod fits, without question, into this latter category. The combination arrived here at the house a day apart, the reel first, so I had a chance to review, i.e. play with each separately before putting them together, rigging the outfit for the water, and then putting it into action.

I think it’s only fair here that I make a confession. It’s true; the LumiCat is, for reasons those unfamiliar with the rod will soon understand, meant to be used as an after-dark catfish rod. Or anything, for that matter, being pursued at night. Living in southwest Washington state as I do, I don’t have access to channel cats or flatheads, at least not locally. What I do have access to, however, are summer steelhead, a hard-fighting great-on-the-table sea-going rainbow trout. And while there are dozens upon dozens of angling methods used by steelheaders, I’m partial to a technique known as plunking, which takes a basic catfish rig – weight at the tail-end – and combines it with either one or two 18- to 22-inch leaders and a colorful buoyant lure/hook set-up called a ‘Spin-Glo.’ This is cast out from shore and the rod placed in a secure rod holder, with the out-going tide and subsequent current imparting a ‘spin’ to the lure. Essentially, it’s catfishing for steelhead. Thus, the LumiCat / Chaos combo works incredibly well. NOTE – On my home waters of the Lower Columbia River, there is a “night closure” in effect for those fishing for steelhead. This translates into the fishery being closed from one hour after official sunset to one hour before official sunrise. As such, it’s possible to pursue steelhead, albeit briefly, during no light / low light conditions. Enter – The LumiCat!

The first thing I noticed about Piscifun’s Chaos baitcasting reel is how smooth it operates. For my purposes, I filled the baitcaster with #40 braid after covering the spool with a couple wraps of electrical tape so as to prevent line slippage, or ‘ghost drag’ as it’s sometimes called. This process in and of itself was pleasant, with no glitches whatsoever.

Visually, and despite the fact that ‘pretty doesn’t catch fish,’ the Chaos is a handsome reel, cloaked, as is mine, in a right nice mix of gold and black. The spool release is wide, a full 1.5 inches, and ridged, giving it a non-slip surface, even in the slightly damp conditions that often accompany angling. The ‘clicker,’ an option which I admittedly don’t use when plunking, but do when fishing for ‘cats, is conveniently located under the left side plate. The fully adjustable magnetic braking dial is also mounted on this left plate. On the right, a four-washer star drag system sits underneath a sturdy 4.5-inch fighting handle fitted with a bulbous ‘Sure-Grip’ knob opposite a gold counterweight.

From side plate to side plate, the Chaos Pro demonstrates simple technology. The one-piece CNC-machined body is rugged, strong enough to handle the biggest steelhead, king salmon, flathead, or white sturgeon. In fact, and upon passing the Chaos/LumiCat combo around to the steelheading regulars for their input, they all agreed she’d make for an excellent salmon boat rod. She’s quick, with a 5.3-to-1 gear ratio. Smooth, thanks to her ‘6+1’ ball bearings, dial to order No Tangle braking system, and what Piscifun calls synchronized level wind operation, which contributes to a flat lay or an even distribution of the line across the spool face, which in turn allows for smoother, longer casts.

To be blunt, steelheaders anglers and catfishermen are two separate species. If anglers were fashion plates, steelheaders would be wearing a suit and tie, while ‘cat chasers would be dressed in blue jeans and a Cleveland Browns t-shirt. In many cases, and I know in my personal situation, ‘cat gear is a bit more robust than is steelhead gear; it’s bigger, stronger, without so much emphasis put on aesthetics as on strength and durability. Now I may be off-base a bit here, but, for the record, I don’t believe so.

That said, I wondered the response from the steelhead ‘In-Crowd’ to the half-green, half-black, Night Glow tip of the LumiCat. Impressed to the man, they were, eager for my wife, running the rig our first morning on the Columbia, to hook into a fish and give the ‘Cat a workout.

My particular LumiCat is an 8-foot Medium Action rod rated for #10 to #30 line and weights from one to four ounces. The 14.5-inch ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) handle contributes well to the overall balance of the rod, provides a sure grip, and is moderately water resistant. The 9-inch foregrip is a polyurethane (PU) wrap, somewhat better cushioned, and likewise easy to hang onto, even when wet. The hook-keeper is located low and just ahead of the foregrip; I like that positioning as opposed to higher. The LumiCat features a strong aluminum Fuji reel seat, with an oversized (.75-inch) locking nut; nine ceramic Fuji guides; and an overall IM7 carbon composite foundation.

The most interesting aspect of the LumiCat, however, comes in those low light / no light situations. The ‘Cat is built around an innovative lighting system powered by an unusual – NOTE: At least I was unfamiliar with the design – CR425 pin battery. A special compartment in the upper rod section and accessed by separating upper and lower holds the battery. With the battery installed according to directions, the last 8.75 inches of the rod is illuminated, allowing anglers to see even the slightest strike. This lighting feature, along with the fluorescent paint used to finish the whole of the upper section, makes for excellent visibility during those ‘dark times’ when some species are most active.

For her inaugural cast, I loaded the ‘Cat down with a five-ounce bank sinker and a single Spin-Glo rig. All I could say was s-m-o-o-t-h! She really did cast like the proverbial dream, and didn’t seem overburdened by a little extra lead on the end of the line. A couple hours into .the morning, and while working with another outfit, the bell on the LumiCat began clanging, the rod bouncing violently in the holder. Julie got a good hook-set and the fight was on. The fresh-from-the-Pacific steelhead made an excellent showing of herself, making several strong upriver runs before rushing to the rocky bank where, before I could get her in the net, she threw the (barbless) hook and disappeared into the ebb tide. When it comes to fishing, you win some and you lose some. I’m okay with that; we’ll have another chance soon.

I’m an Old School avid catfisherman from back in The Day, thanks in large part to 46 years split between my native Ohio and our former home in eastern Iowa. Based on what I’ve seen in her role as a steelhead plunking outfit, the Chaos/LumiCat combination would be an excellent choice for those seeking an audience with ‘ole Mister Whiskers, especially if the search involves big channel ‘cats, tackle-busting blues, or heavyweight flatheads.