KOTC Ice…

[Tyler Holm]

With the KOTC open water season coming to a close I guess I’m kinda putting some feelers out there to see if there is any interest in an ice league.

Ultimately it would be up to dtro but assuming he’s game I’d like to hear if there is any interest.

I’ll toss up a few of my initial thoughts and hopefully those interested can add/suggest more. I think the current rules would apply with a few ramifications for the ice league.

I’m not sure how others feel, but I’d push for a channel cat only deal as there seems to be lots of controversy about ice fishing for flats. We would also have to clarify whether these cats need to be caught through the ice, or not, or either? I’d personally like to see only those caught through the ice count, but I’m open for either option. Largest 3-5(?) count towards KOTC (length + girth). 5 pts to upgrade? Similar photo with new KOTC control item required. Is there an unfair advantage to those in northern MN vs southern MN in terms of safe ice?

I think its little leagues like this KOTC that give some people that extra push they need to get out and try something new/different. I’ve only caught catfish through the ice on accident, but I’m certainly going to change that this winter.

Dtro, if your not interested in running the ice KOTC, that’s totally fine. I’d certainly be willing to help in any way I can.

[hanson]

Darren and I were talking about this yesterday and I am STRONGLY, STRONGLY opposed to any kind of winter contest involving channel cats through the ice.

There are only a few bodies of water that this is possible on and the pressure these bodies of water will receive from any more publicity isn't something I desire to be a part of.

The Chain & Zumbro are really the only bodies of water in the entire state of MN that channels can be targeted & caught through the ice with any kind of regularity.

The pressure on the Chain has really increased in the last few years, and it will continue to increase. A KOTC contest might be the nail in the coffin up there.

Thats my opinion... sorry to [PoorWordUsage] on the party.

[DTro]

yeah, it's funny because Hanson and I were just talking about this last night.

I'm also a no on the KOTC ice, however...

It would be a lot of fun to have a multispecies KOTI (Kings of the Ice).

Same team type of format, but each person could enter 1 of each

Walleye/Sauger

Crappie

Gill

Northern (no spear)

Perch

Would have to put some more thought in the upgrade requirements....maybe .5"

Some things off the top of me head

Length only, no girth

No dead or frozen fish pics

A fish pic on ruler requirement in addition to control item.

100pts per person would be one heck of a score and a nice total to shoot for and yet not unrealistic. I can already envision the discussions about the magic 100pt level.

[crazyice]

That is something that I would definately be game for, the KOTI type. If that is something that would happen, you could definately count me in on it. I can see Hanson's point now that I think about it. I would hate to see some of these fine fisheries get totally descimated just because of a contest.

[so haaad]

Nice post, Hanson.

[hanson]

Quote:

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Nice post, Hanson.

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I hate to put my head through the noose sometimes but the H-Chain Cats really get folks fired up, and sometimes my Inbox full of not so pleasant e-mails.

Unlike any other species of fish swimming, those cats are so in tune to fishing pressure, its not even funny. A lot of times, your best bite is in the first 15 minutes of fishing them and then they are onto you. Even more so in the heavily fished areas.

I'm pretty sure Cool Cats Gathering will happen this year unless 1-1/2' of snow fall the week before. That'll give all of us cat guys a chance to hook up on the ice up there.

[bgreen82]

as soon as i read the original post i thought the same thing about not being many areas to catch them through the ice so it would limit the action for most and increase it on said areas. a multi species hard water season contest would be great though. id be in.

[Blue Kayak]

I'm certainly not an ice angler, but two years ago I hadn't caught any catfish. For me it would be a challenge to catch one of each species regardless of size. Yet it would get me out on the ice, and I expect my more experieced team mates would help just as they did for KOTC.

I think a multispecies KOTI would be extremely popular. Right now there are 37 viewing the Ice Fishing forum and only 12 viewing the Open Water forum, and it is September.

Were you thinking of opening this up to everyone, or perhaps limiting it to those that post in the Catfish forum? I think if it is opened up to the whole FM forum, there could be an awful lot of record keeping for someone. If you do open it up, perhaps there could be regional teams for the major forums.

I think it is a great idea. I'd be glad to help enter data into a spreadsheet if that would help.