Icing Catfish

[jwaite1985]

I need some help figuring out how to get catfish to bite under the ice.  Been seeing a fair number of fish on the 360 and I was hoping they would be crappie, bass or bluegill,  but they appear to be catfish, since after long trial attempts with no bites, I've finally caught one catfish, and lost one at the hole.  So I'm starting to think that must be what I'm seeing, unless maybe they are carp and cats...  Anyway I have had terrible success rates for the number of hours I've put in and the number of fish that have swam past... I'm trying to get something to bite... So what do you use to get catfish to bite through the ice?  I have caught mine on cutbait on a deadstick, and cutbait on a jigging jaw jacker(wiggle wheel)... I'm thinking the cutbait with little motion is the best thing that I have done, but two or three hours for one bite is not very good success rate... So far I have used my tiny ice jigs, and they just don't hold a catfish very well... Wondering about upsizing the hook so I have a better chance to pull a catfish out of a hole...  But if I upsize, then I'm pretty sure I won't catch any of the panfish... Maybe I go one rod heavy duty and one light for jigging panfish... What are your thoughts?  Thanks Jeff

I have heard of people using various types of jigging spoons with cutbait for catfish. I have a friend that uses hat technique on Utah Lake all the time with good success. I have never personally tried it though. That is actually one of my my goals for this year. If I figure anything out, I will keep you posted.

Thank you for the tip... I was trying a kastmaster small spoon with cutbait, but didn't have any luck with it, but you reminded me of a trip years ago going with ShawDog and I think he was using a rattle spoon and he got like five cats that day... maybe a little noise in the equation will help..  Thanks for the tip... Jeff

That was actually the spoon i was thinking of, I just could not remember the name. Thanks for reminding me so that I can add them to my tacklebox for ice season. I am sure that the noise helps. I have also seen the ones that you add the micro glow sticks to be very effective on Youtube University.