do channel's bite in open water this time of year?

[Grant]

I'f they still are active I'd try some of the open parts of the upper miss, any advise from the old cat men?

[DTro]

The cats will bite year round, but I don't think the bite is consistant enough to target them and or nobody wants to put in the effort.

The hard water guys target them through the ice though, so I say you should give it a try.

I caught one not too long ago:

[Random guy]

I love that picture, I can almost feel the pain of the cold by the look on your face.

[Flaco651]

By upper miss do you mean like St. cloud? If thats the area in mind, I would fish them thru the ice on the Horse shoe chain of lakes.

[Grant]

I am definitely planning on a trip to the Chain... that sounds like fun~ grumpy cats on little bitty tackle! although I was specifically wondering at the time about faster sections of the river that dont freeze so well.

as an aside-

I heard there was an FM gathering on the Chain every year, truth or urban legend?

[hanson]

Quote:

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I am definitely planning on a trip to the Chain... that sounds like fun~ grumpy cats on little bitty tackle! although I was specifically wondering at the time about faster sections of the river that dont freeze so well.

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You should be able to catch channel cats in the winter. They are somewhat active and do feed, although bite very,very light. However, the channels will be stacked up in the deeper holes, which may or may not be the faster sections you refer to.

Quote:

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as an aside-

I heard there was an FM gathering on the Chain every year, truth or urban legend?

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Truth. 1st Saturday in March is the usual date.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Truth! It was in early March last year. Watch for details on the "Cool Cats" gathering.

[Grant]

thank you gentlemen! Hanson, I'm blaming you and your article for this addiction!

I'd noticed that light bite a few weeks ago, I could feel the nibble, couldn't get them to take. Was using Spiderwire, my guess is if I'd had mono I wouldnt have felt it at all...

dtro had mentioned not many target channels in the cold open water, I guess I jut carve my own path sometimes.

[Flaco651]

I might try to run up to the Chain about a month from now, mid January and give it a shot. Probably around Cold Spring.

[The Chemist]

Cool Cats this year is set for March 3rd. Last years bite was the best ever (I believe this is our 5th year). It helped that the weather wasn't that bad either. Has always been a great time!