I've caught quite a few cats through the ice, some by accident. But when targeting them deadstick with a small sinker, Kahle hook, and usually guts from shad, bluegill or crappie work just fine. Send to the bottom and reel til line is tight then another half crank. Set the pole on a bucket close by, or right on the ice propping the tip up with an aluminum can or something similar. Hope this helps.