Weird Question - Carp/cats

[Goose1993]

I'm going to be near lake Mead on Monday and going to fish. I'm also going to be at lake havasu in a couple weeks. I normally don't really like freshwater fishing, but I don't mind fishing carp and catfish because they can put some bend in my rod.

The local lakes have small fish so I use my Seeker rated for 8-17# line for these fish. But I'm not sure the size of the whiskered fish out there. Should I use my Seeker inshore rod or my Calstar rated for 15-30# line for carp/cats?

The reason I'm asking is because I can only bring one rod due to space constraints.

Although these vacations will be fun, I'm having some second thoughts because it means missing the hot YT bite right now :(

[LawDog]

depends, you targeting average size carp and cats or the large models? Small to medium large say up to 15ish# can easily be caught on the lighter rig. But good luck landing a 90# carp or 60# cat on a 7-18# rod. But I'd say the lighter rig will catch nearly anything you hook into.

Carp and large cats are VERY line shy. I'd run braid honestly about 20# It's the feel they don't like. Not really the sight. They don't feel the braid as well. Run a hair rig and you'll be golden.

[PapaDave]

Why not give the striped bass a try, Lake Mead is supposedly full of them...