01-27-2006, 05:58 PM
[cool][#0000ff]A lot of folks are surprised to learn that cats can be taken from beneath the ice. The classical approach is fishing for them on a warm summer night, while swatting skeeters.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Channel cats can be taken from virtually any lake in which they reside and which ice over in the winter. They do slow down, in colder water, but they will eat and they do put up a decent bulldog battle.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Many winter cats are caught by accident, by ice anglers fishing for walleyes, perch, trout or other fish, with baited jigs. They also suck in live minnows and worms, and show up on tipups fairly often.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some lakes seem to have more active winter cats than others. They do school up more in the cold water, so once you find out where they hang out, you have a better shot at catching them. That sometimes takes some prospecting, using a good sonar. Or, you can ask around and try to get the inside skinny from others who have been successful.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is hard to beat a minnow, whole or half. A piece of cut bait, from shad, suckers or other natural food works well too. Plain old nightcrawlers are fine also. Even a ball of cheese soaked on the bottom will often attract winter kitties.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Unless you are jigging with a baited jig, you will need to let the fish take the bait a little before you try to set the hook. They often just mouth it a bit before getting it well enough inside to get a good hookset. Some days they are more aggressive than others. If you keep missing the bites, let them have it longer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck and have fun.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Channel cats can be taken from virtually any lake in which they reside and which ice over in the winter. They do slow down, in colder water, but they will eat and they do put up a decent bulldog battle.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Many winter cats are caught by accident, by ice anglers fishing for walleyes, perch, trout or other fish, with baited jigs. They also suck in live minnows and worms, and show up on tipups fairly often.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Some lakes seem to have more active winter cats than others. They do school up more in the cold water, so once you find out where they hang out, you have a better shot at catching them. That sometimes takes some prospecting, using a good sonar. Or, you can ask around and try to get the inside skinny from others who have been successful.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is hard to beat a minnow, whole or half. A piece of cut bait, from shad, suckers or other natural food works well too. Plain old nightcrawlers are fine also. Even a ball of cheese soaked on the bottom will often attract winter kitties.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Unless you are jigging with a baited jig, you will need to let the fish take the bait a little before you try to set the hook. They often just mouth it a bit before getting it well enough inside to get a good hookset. Some days they are more aggressive than others. If you keep missing the bites, let them have it longer.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck and have fun.[/#0000ff]
[signature]