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Catting the chain

Horseshoe_Don

By Horseshoe_Don
in St Cloud Area Fishing Reports - Hunting - Events

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Naturboy Proficient

Naturboy

Posted
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I was out last Friday and did ok. I will be rigging one rod with a bobber because of the lite bites.  I’ve felt minnows pull more than what they’re doing. I set up the house just to get out of a breeze so I could feel and see the bites. 

B6A8E16D-A1F6-483C-BED3-9A14E3112624.jpeg

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Horseshoe_Don
Horseshoe_Don

Was out walleye fishing tonight and the cats were pretty aggressive just after dark.   Caught 2 cats that were 4-5 pounds and lost another just as big.   Ate some tasty walleye also.   Don

EricO
EricO

Finally got out there Saturday after wanting to for almost 10 years! After reading all the pointers on here and looking at maps we gave it a try. Ended up catching around 15 between the 2 of us in abo

MN BassFisher
MN BassFisher

I have had the Chain on my list of places for hit in the winter for countless years, finally planning on making it happen Saturday with a buddy. I read through this thread and must say thanks for the

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jigginjim Grand Master

jigginjim

Posted
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Nice kitty. I was thinking of going spunk lakes as my wives nephew is going to St. Johns. Thinking of bringing the wheelhouse but this could be more fun. I have not fished the chain in years.

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Borch Grand Master

Borch

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Yes.  If you're targeting night time set up in or on edges of holes.  A lot like crappie fishing.  Daytime it's  usually hole edges and shallower flats.

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IceHawk Grand Master

IceHawk

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Yes there is definitely a decent night bite out there, but fair warning Ice Team University is going on the next two days on the chain. It might get a little busy as I assume a lot of the catfish spots will be seeing some pressure. 

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smurfy Grand Master

smurfy

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34 minutes ago, IceHawk said:

Yes there is definitely a decent night bite out there, but fair warning Ice Team University is going on the next two days on the chain. It might get a little busy as I assume a lot of the catfish spots will be seeing some pressure. 

Dang, I'm headed north spear chucking or I'd go spy to find the hotspots!;) 

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The Chemist Experienced

The Chemist

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On 2/15/2018 at 5:21 PM, IceHawk said:

Yes there is definitely a decent night bite out there, but fair warning Ice Team University is going on the next two days on the chain. It might get a little busy as I assume a lot of the catfish spots will be seeing some pressure. 

So that explains the traffic and also the one where they were shooting video of what appeared to be about a drill type auger. Did drive by an ice team truck on the way out also.

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IceHawk Grand Master

IceHawk

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Had a chance to rub shoulders and fish with some of the ice team guys today. Great bunch of guys we had some good laughs and of course discussed plenty about fishing. Even shared a few hotspots.;) The hands on they give the people that sign up for this event is absolutely amazeing! From hands on to tips on everything to do to make your day on the ice way more productive. From what I witnessed it would be well worth the investment to sign up for one of there events , if you are new to fishing or heck even a seasoned angler.  Fished with one guy from Nebraska said he has done 5 of these events and has enjoyed everyone of them.  Fun day for sure :grin:

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Kelly Oman Enthusiast

Kelly Oman

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So it sounds like the cat bite has been better on cedar island than horseshoe? I've only been up a few times this year so far and have just been hitting horseshoe. We have been doing ok but haven't found any real big schools of fish. Last time we were out we drilled tons of holes searching for active fish.  

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GeluNumber1 Enthusiast

GeluNumber1

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4 hours ago, Kelly Oman said:

So it sounds like the cat bite has been better on cedar island than horseshoe? I've only been up a few times this year so far and have just been hitting horseshoe. We have been doing ok but haven't found any real big schools of fish. Last time we were out we drilled tons of holes searching for active fish.  

It has been. Beware - the day bite today was nonexistent. Before 10 AM, they were hot. After 10, they shut down completely. I'd go during low-light periods. Target shallow flats and deep basins.

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Kelly Oman Enthusiast

Kelly Oman

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14 minutes ago, GeluNumber1 said:

It has been. Beware - the day bite today was nonexistent. Before 10 AM, they were hot. After 10, they shut down completely. I'd go during low-light periods. Target shallow flats and deep basins.

Ok I'll try that! Thx for the info

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Borch Grand Master

Borch

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15 hours ago, Kelly Oman said:

So it sounds like the cat bite has been better on cedar island than horseshoe? I've only been up a few times this year so far and have just been hitting horseshoe. We have been doing ok but haven't found any real big schools of fish. Last time we were out we drilled tons of holes searching for active fish.  

We had been doing well all day but yesterday like Gelunumber1 mentioned fizzled after 10 am.  I stuck around for a bit into the afternoon but the snow pushed me off the lake.  Hit another spot on Cedar Island before I pulled the pin and the cats were there but would not commit.  The bite on Cedar is generally shallow at 10-20 fow.

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Horseshoe_Don Experienced

Horseshoe_Don

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I have noticed that the cat  bite on horseshoe does not get constant until about dark the last 30 days or so.   I have not been fishing the good traditional cat spots(walleye fishing),    Fish any of the breaks on shoe in 15+ feet of water.   I have had quite a few schools come through.   Last night I had a school come through at 645pm.  The brighter glow the better.

 

Don

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Kelly Oman Enthusiast

Kelly Oman

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Quite a bit of snow on the lake. Not easy to move around. With the ice thickness and snow you gotta clear a spot on the ice to drill otherwise ur motor is halfway in the snow! We caught around 8 cats,lost a few others and caught 2 small walleyes. Not fast and furious but still a good time! Couldn't find any big schools of fish,most we saw in a hole was 4 or 5.

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Horseshoe_Don Experienced

Horseshoe_Don

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They are catching cats in the bay just off the winter access on 22 in the evenings from 4-8 pm.   I heard the bite was pretty good.

 

Don

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IceHawk Grand Master

IceHawk

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Those cats should be starting to flock up in the bays pretty soon. Might have to give it a go this week thanks for the tip Don. 

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