My great uncle, since deceased, once told me that he fished them that way. He insisted that you had to tie off on a cedar tree because they were strong and wouldn't break. Apparently when the cat takes the bait he pulls down on the limb and the pressure actually hooks the fish and he just stays there until you come to check the lines. They used to do that along ledges where the water is deep right off shore and the cedar trees hang out over the water. There are lots of places like that on Champlain. I am not sure what he used for bait but my guess is that it was cut bait like bluegills.