I've never tried fishing for channel cats through the ice but I know people do it.
I never thought wax worms would be effective. Do you use a jig or just a hook?
I'd like to try it this winter since we have a good population of cats in one of our local lakes.
I will generally use a teardrop with one or many waxies on it, or a spoon, never tried just a bare hook, but I don't set out in search of cats only. I am never really targetting them, just end up finding them, and usually when I find one I find many. I generally fish with one minnow dead-sticked, and another with whatever I am acutally doing. Have had experiences where they will not touch the minnows, but love the wax when they are side by side, not sure why. I have tried any number of baits, and minnows work OK, but as far as other artificials, cutbait, or anything else teardrops seem to be the best for me. Also I would say a minnow head jigged produces better for me compared to a swimming minnow.
Another thing I noticed with cats, is when you get into numbers of them, they are often very similar in size. Not sure if this is just what I have experienced, but seems to be the case most of the time.
Nice fish. How'd you fit his head through the hole? Never thought to try waxworms.
Had to pull good to get it out, went back in fairly smooth.