Besides which, it is likely going to take you long enough to reel in large cats that you won't be able to handle more than the normal bite rate, anyway, at least until you get high level gear. It really doesn't help that much, at least until you hit Russia and can start on the monster Wells Cats there.

Have the biggest Keepnet/Stringer that you can afford, with a minimum of 100lbs individual size limit (while rare, 100lb+ Unique Blues pop up often enough that you don't want to loose them due to the wrong sized Keepnet/Stringer). You are going to want to focus on Peak Hours during the Night (that is, 9pm to 5am). The Alert system I like goes something like this: 1) The Rod Stand Alarm means pay attention to that Rod, but don't touch it yet, 2) The Bell means get ready to set the hook, 3) The Line starts to move means set your hook NOW.

I personally like the Yellow type of Rod Bell, but use whatever works for you. Use the Rod Holder with the highest capacity, preferably one with it's own Bite Alarms, if you can get it (not needed, but nice to have, anyway). If you are fishing in the hotspot right off the Floating Dock in Michigan, then use a Floro Leader, because nothing that can cut your line bites there and this will allow you to catch more fish, including Sturgeon (witch are even bigger, badder, and more valuable than the Blues). This is a place you will almost HAVE to spend Baitcoins, as heavier Leaders are level locked. If you are fishing someplace like Louisiana where Gar frequent the same waters as the Blue Cats, then you will need a Titanium Leader. However, these are big, heavy fish, and you might have to use Braided until you go up a couple of levels and can get Floro that it heavy duty enough. 6/0-10/0 hooks, Barbless if you have the Baitcoins (this gives you bonus Exp.) with Duck Muscle Meat (it's cheap, effective, and can catch things like Sturgeon as well).

Heaviest bottom rod you can get at your level.

Fishing planet leader length rocky lake