Cool Cats 2010 - Sat. March 6, 2010 - Starts 8 am

[harvey lee]

WE were out to the Meth Hole yesterday and it wasn't bad. If you have a 4 wheel drive, I would bring it.

I did see one front wheel drive van on the lake and he got there ok but he did have a few tough times at that.

[DTro]

A lot can change between now and then, but the road as of yesterday is in great shape. Once you get off the main path it's a little dicey with 2wd, but still doable. My guess is that there will be plenty of people out there to pack things down a bit.

[nytelyter]

welll i have 4wd but like said alot can happen b4 the event date is here but i willl be there.

[Borch]

Well Cool Cats is just around the corner and I thought I’d go through some of the tackle and gear I like to use for ice fishing channels on the Horseshoe chain. First is the electronics. I use both the Marcum lx5 and the Hummingbird Ice55 flashers. These catfish can show up anywhere in the water column. Often the most active fish are cruising 10-15 ft off the bottom. If you’re not using electronics you’re just not going to catch these cruisers that tend to be more active. Also the electronics help to be ready for these often light biting fish. Often they will sit on a bait for long periods of time before lightly sucking in your offering. If you’re using a bobber it will be seen as a small twitch. If you’re jigging you’ll likely not notice it.

There are lots of rods that will work for icing cats. I really like the Jason Mitchell Meat Stick for a jigging rod when the bite is light. The tip acts as a spring bobber and it gets into backbone quickly. Otherwise, any medium-light to medium action rod spooled with 4 or 6 lb test will get the job done.

For bite detection I like the Ice buster Bobber by Today’s Tackle that can be trimmed to be very sensitive to even the lightest bite. The Rod Rocker II, also made by Today’s Tackle, is a great bite detection system especially in the fish house or on the ice on calm days. The lightest tap will bob the rod without alerting the fish. The new Venom bobbers that are adjustable without actually cutting the bobber itself work very well also.

Now for the jigs and spoons I like to use. The Lindy Rattlin Flyers are my favorite cat spoon with the glow red being my go to color. I also likeJB Lures Rattlin Varmits in glow red or white. I’ve also caught more cats than I can count on Go Devil spoons. I use 1/16 to 1/8 oz versions when targeting cats. I also use #4 or #6 Lindy Frostie Jigs, Custom Jigs and Spins Demons and JB Lures Ju Ju in various glow colors.

At times you need to charge up the glow bait to get them glowing bright. A tazer light or other intense LED light will get this done. Also forceps or a needle nose pliers are handy for getting hooks out of the tough tissue around the cats mouth.

Now for the catfish bait itself. Using half a fathead, cut sucker, cut shiner or a piece of chicken liver will get the interest of a hungry channel cat. All will work whether on a deadstick or jigging set up.

For a lot more great info on fishing cats on the chain check out this thread.

Good Luck!

[Borch]

I'm wondering if someone has a fish fryer they can bring along for cool cats. I'll bring one and the oil. It's nice to have two going for a big group.

[icehousebob]

Hey Borch, how does a guy go about contacting you? I'm wondering what to bring for camp kitchen equipment. I don't want to haul extra stuff if someone else already has it covered. Leave me a number or call me. My phone numbers are listed on an earlier post.

[Borch]

You can shoot me an email at jeffonthewater at aol dot com.

When I get a chance I'll sift through the thread and get your # Bob and give you a call.

[Surreal Deal]

with the recent snow amounts. i am wondering about travel to the area from the winter landing. will we need wheelers with sleds or is it ok for trucks and 4wd.

[Big Dave2]

I'm wondering if someone has a fish fryer they can bring along for cool cats. I'll bring one and the oil. It's nice to have two going for a big group.

I can't make it to this again as usual

But if you guys need an extra fish fryer you can take mine if anyone from Belle Plaine(like Papa Grump for instance) is going and wants to pick it up.

[Borch]

Well most of us who are planning on coming probably know by now if we can make it. Let's try to get a head count so we'll have an idea how many to plan for.

So let's do the math. Add you total to the total prior to your post.

I will have 3 including myself.

So next would be 3 plus thier total and so on.

[icehousebob]

Borch, So far, I have one kid and one friend coming plus me,,, total,6

Plus two gallons of beans and seven pounds of hot dogs and the trimmings. And a bunch of camp kitchen gear.

[kingfish689]

I will have 2 so that makes total 8

[KMR85]

Truth Walleyes and I will make 10.

[DTro]

Just wanted to update everyone on the conditions out there.

The road out is in great shape and even small cars should have no issue getting out. Of course that is if we don't get any snow between now and Sat.

Probably 30" of ice.

The bite was slower last night after the sun went down. We ended up with an even dozen, but I heard of a good daytime bite with over 40 fish caught by a few guys during mid-afternoon!

As of now I plan on being out there, so make it 11.

[nytelyter]

count me in ..... that makes 12. ... paul

[Brad B]

count me in. So 13 now. sick or not sick I will be there. I am just getting over a bad cold but plan to attend anyway. Does everyone like cookies. I was thinking dozen or two of chocalate chip, oatmeal rasin, and sugars.

Brad B

[Steelhead7]

Been to the chain twice. Looking for kitties we caught a walleye, and some real nice crappies, not many but some. I hopeing to have fun and someone show me how to catch the cat. I'm bringing 2 brothers and 2 6 year olds. I guess we are up to 18.

[nytelyter]

i will be bringing potato chips and my home made clam dip (as usual) is anyone planning on being there before sunrise. i am planning on arriving about 6am. hope to have some kitties iced by sunrise. ... paul

[Borch]

Can someone bring a couple trash cans and bags. We want to keep the ice as clean as it was when we got there, (Maybe cleaner).

[rattleL]

Ill be there with a buddy mid to late morning hitting up another lake early on that makes two more.

[Genofish]

My self and two buddies are in. Total of 3 for us

[DTro]

23 if anyone is keeping track

[riverrat56]

I'm in, thats 24.

[The Chemist]

Well I will be there, up to 25. Current plan is to get up to the cabin either late Thursday/early friday grab my gear and head out on Friday morning. Fish until night, then back as early as I can on Saturday morning.

[Bottle Fish]

Last year I was there but for a short time because of the person with me so I am going solo this time so there will be no complaining of any kind. I really want to catch one of these cats so I will be there for sure.

Guess the count is 26.

nytelyter - I am also planning on being there really early. Shoot me an email if you want to meet up at bruhjellt @ yahoo dot com