Channel cats through the ice?

[SkunkLuvver]

I recently started getting my feet wet cat fishing on the CT and I'm pretty bummed the season's coming to a close. Ive been wondering though if anyone has gotten one through the ice or if its even something worth trying…
I'm picturing the deep area at Barton's cove and soaking a half shiner on the bottom. Granted, I have no idea what big cats do in the winter so I might be way off thinking it could work.
I just came very close to hitting the 20 lb mark the other night and hate the idea of waiting till Spring to take it up again…

Thoughts??

[stripernut]

I have not hooked one yet through the ice at night, on the river, but I am chasing walleye, not cats... Most of the cats that I have heard of being taken in the winter, on the river, are from a boat. There are spots (I have been told) that they school up and "hold" through the winter (barely feeding)...  Best of luck!

[bldfrt]

I've seen one caught from a pond with a bluegill on a tip up

[stripernut]

I think if you have a lake or pond with cat fish (few in MA) you would have better luck. I have caught plenty of hornpout through the ice...

[SkunkLuvver]

Thanks stripernut
The best cat fishing I've found so far was still pretty slow so trying when they're the least active is probably a dumb idea… I just like the idea of tying into something that size through the ice.
Prob have a better hours to catch ratio with pike and still have a chance at something big. But for some reason I just get a wicked kick out of the cats.

Out of curiosity, what ponds/ lakes in the state have channels?

[spoofhoundicefisher]

around here you can catch channel cats thru the ice on the pond a lot more than you can on the lakes.  it is pretty fun pulling a six to eight pound channel thru a 6" hole on 2 pound test line.  you really have to "work" the fish and wear them out to get them thru the hole and it is a thrill for sure.

[stripernut]

There are some in  MA, check out;

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/maps-destinations/state-pond-maps.html

They include lists of the different fish in them...

[Tmuskie]

I brought in a small channel at the Oxbow last January. My brother hooked up on a nice size Bowfin.

[1MOFISH]

contrary to popular belief channel cats are quite active in the winter.we get incidental catches all the time.mostly on tip ups but i know guys get them in deep water jiggin they uasually suspend way off the bottom.
GOD BLESS
mo

[SkunkLuvver]

That's interesting... I thought for sure they'd be tight to the bottom. Very cool indeed.

[SkunkLuvver]

This is exactly the type of info I was hoping to get here.
Nice