Cat Attack – Part 3 (2 pics)

[Tyler Holm]

What about part 1 & 2? Just you never mind about those. I FINALLY managed my first Lake Zumbro ice catfish. I’ve caught several out there before on accident, but this was the first one I’ve caught while targeting them.

1st Catfish this ice season!

We setup in about 24’ in an area with some current. Many holes were drilled with fish in some of them, but this spot the fish appeared larger (I think many of the spots had panfish in them).

2nd Catfish with many more to come.

Both fish came on cut chub (or shiner) that I caught earlier this month. Both were 25”.

My buddy had another on for about 10 FUN seconds, then it made a good run and got off.

Parts 1, 2, and 3 were all learning adventures. I’ve got a few ideas on how to modify my tackle to possibly increase the odds. Maybe a little stiffer rod for a better hookset, and probably smaller hooks.

Caught a few pannies too, basically just trying to get the marks off the flasher.

[hanson]

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Parts 1, 2, and 3 were all learning adventures. I’ve got a few ideas on how to modify my tackle to possibly increase the odds. Maybe a little stiffer rod for a better hookset, and probably smaller hooks.

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You can't be timid about setting the hook into ice cats. Most of the time, they are just tasting the bait and don't take the bait in very far. So when you set the hook, you have that tough pad of channel cat teeth to set into. Or... you'll barely hook them in the corner of the mouth as well.

Rule of thumb #1 - Set the hook hard.

Rule of thumb #2 - Don't horse the fish in since they are oftentimes barely hooked.

[Tyler Holm]

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since they are oftentimes barely hooked.

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That's for sure! First fish had the hook caught in the corner of the mouth, but it didn't even penetrate the skin. 2nd fish had the hook way gone, but after I prayed the mouth open, the hook just fell out. Yep Lucky, but duly noted!

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'm always amazed at how many I actually hook in the whiskers.

[DTro]

Persistance pays off. Nice kitties Tyler!

Hopefully I can share some pics like that in the near future.

[so haaad]

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I'm always amazed at how many I actually hook in the whiskers.

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How very true...how very, very true.

[Shack]

Great post Tyler! 3rd times the charm. Another great photo shoot. The first one seems to just float in the air. I tell ya, you and Hanson get the great shots.

I got pannies and eyes on the brain right now. Getting ready for an up north trip in AM. Sleds loaded and wheel berg's are packed .

[sjburnt]

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[Tyler Holm]

Haven't tried.

[so haaad]

Channels nibble more often than bite. They usually bite very lite during the winter and rarely run with your bait. So circle hooks wouldn't be as effective as they are in the summer.