I'm also not a catfisherman but recently I have gotten interested in it...problem is I have 40+ years of not bothering with learning anything about the sport ...Hook size and type, line size and type are some of the things I don't know ...Any advice would be appreciated ...About the only thing I'm sure of is when your line gets tight and he tries to steal the pole your supposed to jerk then start reeling, or I think I'm sure about that.