Ice fishing for catfish provides all the relaxation of a day on the ice with the enjoyment of catfishing rolled into one awesome afternoon. Those that are looking to combine two of their favorite past times are advised that ice fishing for catfish holds some similarities to catfishing, and some to ice fishing, but this activity remains a sport of its own.
Ice Fishing For Catfish
1. Drill Holes in the Morning
Catfish move throughout the water to find food throughout the day and are known for being active at night. Fishermen that drill their holes in the afternoon or evening risk scaring away potential trophy fish. Instead, it is recommended that fishermen pick their spot and drill their holes in the morning. Then, they can simply wait on the fish to come to their feeding ground.
2. Catfish are More Plentiful
During the winter months, anglers will not have to fight as hard to find plenty of fish. This is because most people fight for catfish during the warmer months, which means that there are plenty available during winter months. Often, all it takes is a hole in the right spot and some bait.
3. Safety Equipment is a Must Have
While anglers are more likely to catch the fish of their dreams when the current is flowing nicely, they are also more likely to run into dangerous situations on the ice because of the current. Often, if the current is nice, it means that the ice is thinner and will break easier. Because of this, it is vital that anglers remember their safety measures, such as a pick axe and some sturdy rope. These two things could save a person’s life while they are ice fishing for catfish.
4. Ice Fishing Tools
While using your best guess to determine where to dig holes might produce some results, fishermen that are serious about ice fishing utilize the best ice fishing tools. Sonar equipment and underwater cameras are usually the tools of choice. These will help fishermen find catfish holes, determine where to dig their holes, and they can use underwater cameras to frequently check their holes for catfish activity.
5. Ignore Dormant Fish
Dangling bait in front of a dormant catfish on the bottom of the lake might get you a bite or two as the day goes on, but those that want a larger catfish harvest while they are ice fishing for catfish will want to find catfish that are already active. These fish are already hungry, they are ready to eat and that means that they take significantly less work to catch. A simple cast of a line is usually all that it takes to capture them.
6. Two Man Team
Most people enjoy ice fishing in teams. This is because one person can drill holes in the ice while the other person follows behind and checks them. The team works together in a systematic method to drill holes, use an underwater camera to check them, and then move on. If catfish activity is spotted with the underwater camera, fishermen will catch what they can before moving on.
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