BACKWATER CRAPPIE FISHING RED HOT!!!!

Greetings All;
Well, the backwater areas of Pools 11-12 & 13 are producing some great crappie catches through the ice. Was out this morning in Pool-13 and caught many nice sized crappie. Keep in mind that with the year classes of fish available you will most likely have to cull your catch of the smaller fish to get some keepers for the frying pan. Make sure you release those smaller fish back into the hole so they can continue to grow. Don't do like some ice anglers and toss them out on the ice to die. That is a waste of a valuable resource for the future. 
Best baits have been small minnows followed by wax worms. I like to set one "Dead" rod and slowly jig another. Doing this will many times get two fish on at the same time and what a blast that is. Small gold rocker style jigs, Rat Finkie jigs and also small ant imitation jigs tipped with bait doing the best. If you find the minnow bite slows, try switching to the wax worms. You can usually catch a few more fish by doing this.

One last thing. Start your search for the crappie in the deepest water you can locate in the backwaters and move as necessary from there. Also, these fish will suspend so make sure you check out all depths. You will find the crappie using different depths at different times so adjust as necessary.

Dress warm, wear that PFD and have a ball catching some backwater crappie on the Mississippi River.

Regards:  Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY 2014 TO ALL!!!!!

Greetings All;

Well, in not being politically correct these days, I still say MERRY CHRISTMAS, not happy holidays. With that in mind on this Christmas Eve, I would like to wish all of you wonderful folks that use my outdoor blog, listen to me on the radio and also read my print media work a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY 2014. May the season of the birth of Christ bring many smiles and joy to you and your family. Also, may your hearts be filled with many great memories of family and friends, both here and departed. 

I sincerely wish all of you an upcoming year filled with many new and great adventures in the outdoors. Peace be with you.

Regards:  Lastcast    Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

OUTSTANDING EARLY ICE FISHING CONTINUES!!!

Greetings All;
The outstanding early ice fishing that has been going on here in the Midwest continues. Excellent bluegill action on farm ponds along with some great crappie action in the backwaters all along the Mississippi river. With the fresh snow cover on the ice, use caution when venturing out. Some great tip-up action for Northern's also happening in the backwater areas using either frozen smelt or chubs for bait. Many anglers are overlooking this great Northern bite and are missing some really big fish that are available. With cold temperatures forecast well into next week, look for ice conditions to stay good.

It's a great time to be in the outdoors doing some ice fishing. Best part is the fish are cooperating. So dress warm, wear that PFD and enjoy the time of your life fishing the "Hard Water".

Regards: Lastcast   Mike cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com   

FARM POND BLUEGILL ACTION REALLY HOT!!!!!

Greetings All;
Well, with the safe ice finally here it's time to think about getting out and enjoying some ice fishing. Right now I have been experiencing some great farm pond action for some big bluegill. With many farm ponds here in the Midwest now safe, (Always check ice conditions before venturing out!!), the fishing has been excellent. Look for those bluegill along the deeper side of the weed beds right now. Also look for them in deep water locations that contain bottom weeds and structure they can relate to. Remember that this time of the year the warmer water is actually in the deeper locations. Larvae type baits such as spikes, (maggots), wax worms and mousies have been catching fish. Small ice lures like those made by Custom Jigs & Spins have been catching a lot of the bigger fish. 

Use light line no heavier than 4lb. test for best results. I have been using 2lb. test with great results. Remember that you can land most pan fish with no problem on light line if you don't try to "Horse" the fish through the hole. 

So if you like farm pond fishing as much as I do, search out some that contain panfish and have a ball catching them. Keep enough for a meal and always return those non-keepers back into the pond so they can grow for next season. Dress warm, be safe and have a ball.

Regards: Lastcast  Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

USE CAUTION ON FIRST ICE OF THE SEASON!!!!!

Greetings All:
Here we are experiencing the coldest air of the season so far and many folks are chomping at the bit to get out and do some ice fishing. First ice can be a great time to catch some fish but you also have to remember it can also be a very dangerous time. Especially now with the snow cover on many frozen over areas it becomes increasingly difficult to tell if the ice is safe to venture out on. Wear that PFD, bring a spud pole so that you can test the ice ahead of you for firmness and also either make or buy yourself a set of "Spikes" you can wear around your neck should you accidentally fall in. The spikes will assist you on getting out by you being able to stick them in the ice and pull yourself to safety. One last thought, don't head out alone. Bring a friend along and watch out for each other. When walking out on the ice, keep distance between each other rather than walking side by side. This way you are not concentrating the weight load in one area. And don't forget to tell someone what area you are heading for so they know where you are. 

Remember, first season ice can be great for fishing, but it can also be very dangerous. Be safe, dress warm and enjoy the outdoors.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

A CHANCE TO WIN A FABULOUS GCAN FOR YOUR VERY OWN!!!!!

Greetings:

Well folks, here it is. A great chance to win the fabulous GCAN you have heard me speaking of on my radio show and also previewing at my seminars all across the country. Right now by going to the link that I have included below you can enter for a chance to win a GCAN for your very own. It's just that easy. Follow the directions in the link and you just might be the winner of the greatest refueling system to come along in many, many years. This great innovation makes refueling your toy's a snap with no more messy spills.  Believe me my friends, once you see it in action, you will want one for your very own.

As I mentioned, just go to the link I have posted below and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

Giveaway Link: http://woobox.com/mipmq5

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com   

EXCELLENT SAUGER AND WALLEYE BITE CONTINUES!!!

Greetings All:
Well, if you can stand the unusually cold weather, you can catch some truly nice fish on the Mississippi river. From Pool 9 through 16, the action is really going well with many limits of fish coming in. Jig/minnow rigs continue to be the best producer when vertical jigged close to the bottom in the tailwater areas. Three way rigging also catching some fish when back trolled. Right now the bigger minnows are taking the most fish. Minnows in the 3" size range working well. Remember, if you are getting a lot of short hits, add a stinger hook to catch those light biters.

The biggest enemy of the angler is the cold. Make sure you keep dry and stay warm. Once you get wet you will become very uncomfortable quickly. Also make sure you wear that PFD for protection in case of an accident.

Good luck and enjoy the river. In closing, Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers and radio show listeners. Hopefully you can spend time with family and friends.

Regards: Last   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

 

CHECK OUT THIS FABULOUS NEW PRODUCT!!!!!!!!

Greetings All:
 Well folks, every so often a new product comes along that just blows others out of the water. I want to tell you about one that does just that. It's called the GCAN. A revolutionary new fueling delivery system that will change the way you fill the tank on your toys. This wonderful product is made in Canada and is sure to have you wanting one for your own. With that in mind, check out the link I have attached below for more information on this great product. Well constructed and state of the art, it's the GCAN.

http://igg.me/at/gcan/x/5411904 

You can also tune into my radio show on ESPN Radio for more information about this wonderful fueling innovation. 

Till next time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

BACKWATER CRAPPIE ACTION DOING WELL!!!

Greetings All:

With the unseasonably cold weather we have had lately, the backwater crappie bite on the Mississippi River has been great. From Pools 5 through 16, anglers fishing the backwater areas are catching some really nice crappie. These fish are in the deeper backwater areas and will continue to use this deeper water as the season progresses. I have found that the fish are not always holding tight in the structure but using in water structure to relate to and suspend off of. So with this in mind, make sure you first fish the areas around and away from the structure in the water before moving in and fishing the structure itself.  This way you can catch those suspended fish first.

As far as presentation?, well a simple float rig is great for this. You can adjust your bait as necessary without changing terminal tackle. Top producing baits have been both minnows and also wax worms. Smaller minnows in the 1 1/2 inch size range seem to be catching the bigger crappie. For the wax worms, put two or three on your hook for best results. I like to pinch one of them to release the worms scent into the water and attract fish. 

It's a great time to fish for these backwater crappie. Make sure you dress warm and always wear that PFD.  One last thing. Remember those spots where you catch fish now. When the ice comes they will also produce good fishing.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

  

GREAT WEEKEND AHEAD FOR RIVER ANGLERS!!!!

Greetings All:
Well, it looks like Mother Nature is going to give us a great weather weekend to be out on the Mississippi & Wisconsin Rivers for some great Fall fishing. Both of these rivers are producing a good bite right now for the angler willing to wet a line. 

Walleye and sauger are the prime targets of Fall anglers but there are other species available. In the backwaters, look for a decent crappie bite going on right now near structure as the crappie have moved into their Wintering locations. Small minnows and also larvae type baits taking fish. 

On the main river, look for Walleye and sauger taking jig/minnow rigs in the tailwater areas tight to bottom. Use nice lively minnows in the 3" size range and fish them close to the bottom for best results. You can expect heavy boat traffic this weekend up by the dams with the good weather so I recommend heading down river to fish river bend areas, sand flat areas and any obvious current break areas with depth close by. There are many fish down in these areas that never see an anglers bait.

Was out this morning on the Mississippi for a few hours and found many fish on the bite in these types of areas I mentioned. Caught a nice limit of sauger for dinner tonight and headed home. Many other fish released to fight again. 

So if you plan on getting out this weekend, it looks great in the weather department and also the fishing department. Be safe and enjoy yourself.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

UPPER POOLS REALLY TURNING ON!!!!

Greetings All:

Spoke with some listeners on the ESPN radio show today from up in Minnesota and they stated that the Walleye and sauger bite in the Winona, MN area is really going well. Lot's of good catches coming by anglers fishing the tailwater areas from Lake Pepin on down to just past Winona. For any of you folks planning on heading up that way, jig/minnow rigs fished tight to the bottom up near the dams with big minnows in the 3" size range doing well. Some anglers working the wall areas by the locks with sonar type lures also catching fish early and late in the day. Remember, the water is cold so slow that presentation down. Also, make sure you wear that PFD. Safety first always. Stay tuned for more Fall Mississippi River updates right here on LASTCASTOUTDOORS.COM. Your popular outdoor blog for the true sportsman.

Regards: Lastcast  Mike Cyze  lastcast13@yahoo.com

MISSISSIPPI RIVER SAUGER AND WALLEYE ON THE BITE!!!!

Greetings All:

Well, the much cooler water has really triggered the sauger and walleye to put on the feed bag. All up and down the Mississippi river from North of Winona, MN. to Pool 16 down south, the fishing has really improved. Right now the sauger are in the majority of fish being caught by anglers up in the tailwaters but there are some walleye available. The sauger being caught are decent with a lot of small fish mixed in. When you catch these small sauger, release them to grow and fight another day. 

One thing I have noticed is that many anglers still cannot tell the difference between a sauger and a walleye and are keeping small, undersized walleye in their daily catch. Learn the difference and be a responsible angler. All you have to do is Google the difference between a walleye and a sauger and you will get the correct identification answer. 

As far as presentation, jig/minnow rigs still the best. Use bigger minnows, 3" size range, for best results. If you are getting a lot of short strikes, add a stinger hook to your minnow. You can either back troll or vertical jig while being stationary over one spot. Which ever your choice, stay tight to the bottom for best results. I was out at Sunrise today and did well on hair jigs tipped with a minnow also. I tie these myself and have excellent results in Spring and Fall with them. Best color this morning was a black jig head with a black/orange hair tail. Fish were loving it. One thing I will mention though is that my best action came well down river from the dam. No boats, great fishing conditions and best of all,,,lots of nice fish.

Hopefully you can get out in the near future and enjoy some excellent fishing on the Mississippi.

Regards:  Lastcast  Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

"BUMPER BOAT FISHING" STARTING ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!

Greetings All:

Ah yes, you can tell Fall has truly arrived once again. All you have to do is look up by the dam in Pool-13 and you know it is here. Every year in the fall what I describe as "Bumper Boat Fishing" takes place up by the dams on the Mississippi River. 

For you folks that do not know what bumper boat fishing is, let me explain. It's when you have many boats up by the dam in search of walleye and sauger. These boats can be so close together at times that you could literally walk from boat to boat. When someone in another boat see's you hook a fish, watch out because in a matter of seconds that boat will be encroaching on your your area. It can get really crazy at times out there and many nasty words have been exchanged between anglers over the years. 

Personally, I avoid all that mess and make it a point to head down river to many of the great spots that are holding big fish and lot's of them. Best part is that in most cases you will have the area all to yourself to fish. While many anglers get caught up in that thought that all the fish in the Fall are up at the dam, you can enjoy some great fishing minus the crazy crowd of boats.

This past week I have been find good concentrations of both walleye and sauger down river in Pool-13 and they have been biting well. 

So don't get caught up in that "Bumper Boat" mentality up at the dam. Head down stream and find your own sweet spot without all the commotion of boats banging into each other.  Fishing is great so get out and enjoy the Fall season.

Regards:  Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

POOLS 9-10 & 11 HEATING UP!!!

Greetings All:

Well, this last week I have been fishing Pools 9-10 & 11 and have been doing very well. Lots of good walleye and sauger action starting up with the cooler water. Most fish coming on Northland Fireball jig/minnow rigs using big 3" minnows. If you are getting short strikes, simply ad a stinger hook. Work the areas of current breaks and any structure in water that causes an eddy to form. Wing dams are also starting to get much better. Tailwater angling still on the slow side in most locations. Look for this to pick up soon. 

This weekend forecast to be quite nasty out. Rain, wind and cold will make for some tough conditions. Dress warm and wear that rain suit to break the cold winds. Also, wear that PFD since hypothermia can set in quickly this time of the year if you happen to fall in. Be safe, not sorry. 

Regards:  Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

COOL NIGHTS MAKING FOR SOME HOT FISHING!!!

Greetings All:

Well, with the much cooler night we have been experiencing here in the Midwest, water temperatures in both lakes and rivers have taken a dive. With the cooler water, fish are really starting to put on the feed bag for the upcoming Winter season ahead. 
Here on the Mississippi River, look for good action for many species right now. Excellent white bass action on jigs still going on. Many nice walleye and sauger being taken on wingdams and rocky shorelines. Live bait best here. Panfish action picking up also with some nice crappie showing up in the backwaters that are accessible. Many are low and entry not available at this time. If you fish the backwater areas, look for the deepest water available to start your search. Deep water near structure in the water producing best at this time. Minnows for crappie, larvae type baits for the bluegills.   For you bass fisherman, try topwater baits in the afternoon for good bass action. Spinnerbaits also working well. Use big blades for best results.

A chance of some rain in the forecast for this coming weekend so don't forget that rain suit. All in all, look for great fishing here on the Mississippi river. Fishing in Pools 9-10-11-12-13 & 14 should only get better from here on into late Fall.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

OCTOBER STRIPERS ON THE FEED!!!!

Greetings All:

Well hopefully you have had a chance to get out on the Mississippi River and enjoy some of the great Fall White Bass fishing that is happening right now. Even in these low water conditions the bite is really happening. I have been fishing Pools-11-12 & 13 with equally great results. Those of you that listen to me on ESPN know I just love the October White Bass bite when it is common to catch many big fish over 3 pounds. 

Right now the best results have been coming from fishing long wing dams that extend out near the main river channel. Jig/twister rigs in bright colors working well. Another great spot I have been getting huge fish near 4 pounds are the sand flat areas near the main channel and also where a stream or river enters the Mississippi. For these locations it's tough to beat a 1/4th. Ounce, all white hair jig right now. Use light line, a light rod and make long casts. The white hair jig is a favorite of mine for these October fighters and they really hit it hard. Vary your retrieve till you find what they are looking for.

I'll tell you my friends, if you can, make some time to get out on the Mississippi River and enjoy some of the fastest Fall fishing of your life. Be safe, wear that PFD and save a few for me...................

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

LOW WATER TIDBITS!!!

Greetings All:

Well, with another weekend fast approaching the low water conditions on the Mississippi River continue. From Pools 9 thru 15, low water is really starting to effect things. Many of the backwaters are inaccessible at this time with most boats. Those you can get into are shallow and the fish are hard to locate. Between the low water and low oxygen levels, the fish have moved to deeper holes, (if you can find one back there) and are quite lethargic. Best bets are on the main river where you have current flow to mix the water and provide oxygen. 

Look for the bluegill bite to be still holding up. Walleye spotty on wingdams on crawlers and floating crank baits trolled. Some smallmouth bass action available near rocks that have current. Crappie also spotty. 

Rain is forecast for Saturday but not enough predicted to help with the drought. Hopefully Mother Nature will provide some good rains in the near future to get the river levels up before freeze up. 

Good luck, be safe and enjoy the river.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com
  

UPCOMING WEEKING LOOKING GOOD FOR RIVER FISHING!!!

Greetings All:

Well, with another weekend fast approaching it looks like the storms here in the Midwest will be gone by Mid-Friday. Currently forecasters are calling for a great weekend to be out on the water. Look for much cooler temperatures to move in and this should get those fish moving once again. For you folks that like white bass, look for many good sized fish on the deep water sides of the many wing dams along the Mississippi. If you do not get a hit in 15 minutes or so, move to a new location until fish are found. Once you locate them you will have a ball enjoying the fast action. Best results have been using a 1/4th ounce all white hair jig tipped with a 2" twister tail. If that is not working, don't hesitate to experiment to see what the fish are looking for on that particular day. 

The fish are there so get out and enjoy some quality time on the water. Be safe and enjoy the outdoors.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

RIVER BLUEGILL FISHING GREAT!!!

Greetings All:
If you like to catch bluegill, right now is the time to be out on the Mississippi River. All up and down Pools 10 through 14 the bluegill bite is fantastic. All you need is some worms, a small float and some small hooks. Fish a piece of worm about 1 1/2 feet under the float near rocky structures and also dead falls and hang on. Lots of fish in the 7 to 9 inch size range available. What a great time to get the kids out to enjoy the fast action. This bite should last until the water temperatures start to drop. 

Get yourself a nice mess of these bluegills, fillet them up and you have some mighty fine eating. Deep fried with a side of fried potatoes and some coleslaw or beans and you have a great meal. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

FLASH DROUGHT HURTING RIVER ANGLING!!!

Greetings All:

Well, the weather service has coined a new term. We have all heard of flash floods but now there is a new term, "Flash Drought". Right now here in the Midwest there are some places along the Mississippi River that have not seen rain in the last 30 days. This has contributed to the river being extremely low. In fact, there are places on the Mississippi River where shore anglers are walking out to the middle of the river on the long wing dams far from shore to get to fishable water. With Fall just around the corner these conditions are not at all a welcome thing.

The unfortunate part is that there is no substantial rain forecast for at least the next week with rising temperatures also forecast. All these conditions combined are just adding to a serious situation. Unless we get some much needed rains, look for Fall fishing to be greatly affected. Hopefully Mother Nature will turn on the spigot and send those much need rains to the Midwest.

Unless we get these much needed rains look for the Mississippi River to keep getting lower in water levels which will adversely  effect the upcoming Fall angling season. Not only that, the duck hunters will find many marsh areas that normally hold ducks and geese during the Fall will be dry.  Lets hope this situation changes in the near future.

Regards: Last   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com   

HEAT WAVE HURTING ANGLING!!!

Greetings:
Well, this late season heat wave has really put a damper on daytime fishing. Right now is a great time to enjoy some night time angling for two species that are biting well. I'm speaking of the catfish and bass. For you catfish anglers, good numbers of fish available in the backwaters and also on wingdams. Keep using that "Stink Bait" as the water is warm and it is working well.

For you bass anglers, try top water stick baits and use a herky-jerky retrieve. The bass have been loving this erratic action. Lot's of nice bass are available cruising the backwaters looking for food.

If you do plan on going out, make sore you stay well hydrated. Drink lots of water and wear sunscreen. Personally, I have been enjoying the night bite and getting my "Honey-Do" list caught up so that when the cool Fall winds start blowing I can spend more time on the water. 

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

GREAT WEEKEND OF ANGLING AHEAD!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with the great weather continuing, look for the fishing on the Mississippi to also continue to be great. Lot's of catfish available on dip baits near snags, largemouth and smallmouth bass also hitting well. Walleye and sauger starting to get better on the wing dams. Use crawler harnesses trolled on the upstream side for best results. Drum everywhere on nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. All in all, it's going to be another great weekend to be out on the Mississippi river enjoying the bite. 

CAUTION: Be careful launching at the river boat ramps. Due to low water conditions you can back off the ramps end which is now very shallow. Check conditions of the ramp before launching. 

Regards: Lastcast,   Mike Cyze,   lastcast13@yahoo.com

RIVER WATER LEVELS CONDUSIVE TO A GOOD BITE!!!

Greetings All:
Well, we have gone from flooded conditions to low water conditions on the Mississippi. The good part though is that the river is very fishable and many different species of fish are biting. Main river is producing some nice smallmouth bass near rocky areas on cranks. Nightcrawlers also catching their fair share of bass on a crawler harness. Good catfish action continues in both the backwaters and main river on dip baits. Crappie and bluegill also available near downed timber on minnows and larvae type bait. One of my seasonal favorites, the white bass is getting better each day with many big fish coming into my livewell. For these bruisers, work flat areas and also steep tapering rocky shorelines. Twister tails and a jig taking many fish. Plastic shad bodied in silver and gray are hot right now.

I'll tell you my friends, look for fishing on the Mississippi to keep improving as we continue through the month of August. This coming Fall should be a real keeper so make your plans now to get out and fish the Mississippi River and enjoy all it has to offer the angler.

Regards:  Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

GREAT NIGHT TIME BITE GOING ON RIGHT NOW!!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with this heat wave we have been experiencing here in the Midwest, I, along with other anglers I know have turned to the night bite fishing on the Mississippi River. With high humidity and a scorching Sun, fishing during the day has become a big no-no for me. Heading out at dusk and fishing into the wee hours of the night has produced some great catches this last week. Excellent numbers of catfish along with some great bass fishing was well worth losing some sleep over. 

Fish those backwater areas along with the channels that lead to them with dip bait and you will catch a bunch of tasty catfish. For you bass anglers, try tossing top water lures near structure and hold on. Frog type lures working very well when fished slow on the surface. 

Give it a try, night fishing the Mississippi, it's a wonderful way to beat the heat and catch some great fish.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

WEEKEND LOOKING GOOD ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!

Greetings All:
If your planning on doing some fishing on the Mississippi River this weekend, look for some good fishing available. Lots of white bass from Pools 10 to 13. Hit those steep tapering rocky shorelines by casting jigs. White hair jigs have worked well for me this week in the 1/4th. Ounce size. I have also been working the flooded sand flats with excellent results. 

For you catfish anglers, hit those backwaters with that stink bait. Lots of cats hitting well.  Bass anglers using plastics are doing well also. Fish weed edges and also downed timber. Spinnerbaits also catching some nice bass. 

Weather looking good this so hopefully you can get out and enjoy.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

NIGHT TIME CATFISHING A REAL BLAST!!!!

Greetings All:
If you have never fished for catfish at night you are missing a real treat. With the hot weather here the night time bite has been very good. Get into those backwaters that you would normally fish and you will be surprised at how much better the action is after dark. One thing I want you to keep in mind though is that after dark, everything will look different as you make your way into these areas. No matter how well you know an area, it looks completely different. With that in mind, use caution and run slow. 

As far as the catfishing, use a good quality dip bait and the cats will love it. I have been getting out the last few nights to beat the heat and have done very well with many nice catfish being caught. Keep your bait on or near the bottom and the catfish will find it. One last thing, bring along some bug spray if there is no breeze to help fight off the bugs. I have been using one of those buckets that contain repellant. You simply lite the wick and set it on the floor of your boat. The smoke it produces works well to deter the skeeters and gnats. 

If you have never tried night time catfishing, now is a perfect time. Once you try it and see the results you will be hooked on it.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

UPCOMING HOLIDAY WEEKEND FISHING ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Greetings All:
Well, here we are on the door step of another Fourth of July holiday. Many folks are hitting the road for their favorite recreation areas along the Mississippi River. For you folks planning on doing some fishing this holiday, you can get a few fish even though the river is high and dirty. 

Look for some excellent catfish action in the many backwaters and slough areas on dip baits. G&S Cheese bait has been doing well for me with many nice cats coming in. Get deep into the flooded areas and fish near flooded structure laying in the water. If you do not get a bite in 15 minutes or so, move to another snag location and try again.

For you bass anglers, both small mouth and largemouth bass are hitting topwater baits early and late in the day. Work the weed areas with a varied retrieve for best results. Another method working well is both plastic worms and lizards fished weedless in heavy cover areas. 

One last thing, bring along bug spray as the Buffalo Gnats are terrible. Also the ticks and skeeters.

Happy Fourth of July to all. Enjoy the holiday weekend and stay safe.

Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER CURRENTLY DANGEROUS!!!!

Greetings All:
If you are making plans to fish the Mississippi River this upcoming weekend, you might want to reconsider. From Pools 6 through 16, the river is very high and at flood stages throughout. 
Dangerous conditions exist on the river and for all practical purposes, fishing is at a standstill. Boating is not advised due to the river conditions. Recent heavy rains, up to 10 inches in some locations has turned the Mississippi into a very dangerous river to be out on. 

So if you are making plans, better think of scraping them for another time. This is a very dangerous situation that should not be taken lightly. 

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

HEAVY STORMS CAUSING VERY TOUGH FISHING ON THE MISSISSIPPI!!!

Greetings All:
 Well, with the very heavy rains and storms which still continue, the Mississippi is rising and very dirty. Almost looks like chocolate milk at this time. Also much floating junk in the water. Everything from whole trees to docks can be seen floating away. 
Best bet if you want to get out is to hit the backwaters. You can still catch a few catfish on dip baits. Most other species are off the bite due to the tough conditions. With more rain forecast and the river rising again to flood stage, look for very tough fishing to continue for a while. 

Keep checking back here for updates as I will try to keep you informed of the latest happenings on the Mississippi.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

GREAT BACKWATER CATFISH ACTION!!!

Greetings All;
Spent the earlier part of the day backtrolling nightcrawlers in the Mississippi River backwaters of Pool-13. What a great time it was. Was using a simple, homemade spinner rig with a small salmon egg hook. Attached some of my "Homegrown" nightcrawlers and the catfish were eating this rig up. Hook the crawler once through the nose end and as you troll it the crawler stretches out and the catfish seem to love this setup. Try and troll with the bait a few feet off the bottom for best results. Simply troll the backwater areas near structure and hang on. The catfish hit this rig very hard so make sure you are holding your fishing rod tight. You can also use rod holders if you prefer but I like the hands on method myself. 

There is a great catfish bite going on so hopefully you can get out and enjoy it. By the way, the above mentioned method will work in all pools of the Mississippi and other rivers that contain catfish. 

Well, the deep fryer is up to temperature and the fillets are breaded and ready to fry so I have to run for now. Bet you can guess what I'm having for supper, LOL.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   Lastcast13@yahoo.com

RED HOT STRIPER ACTION ON THE MISSISSIPPI!!!

Greetings All:
Well, even with the goofy weather we have been having, the action for big stripers continues to get better. With the high water I have been finding the fish on the flooded sand flats where they are schooling shad and other baitfish to eat. Cast right tight to shore and bring lure back into water. Best lure presentation has been a 1/4th ounce bullet style jig head tipped with a 3" plastic shad body. If you can, get the twister tail style shad bodies as the fish seen to prefer them over the standard paddle tale style. Another hot lure is an all white hair jig in the 1/4th ounce size. Cast these lures on some 6 lb. test line with a long, fast action rod and you have the perfect setup for this type of fishing. 

Lots of really nice stripers in the close to 3 lb. range are available with many smaller fish also. 
This fast action is happening from pool 9 all the way through pool 13. If river conditions stay fairly stable, look for the excellent bite to continue. This morning took 30 huge stripers in less than 45 minutes with lots of little ones caught and released. 

If you have the time, check the weather and head out to the Mississippi for some "Hot" striper action.

Regards: Lastcast  Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

IT'S CATFISH TIME ON THE RIVER!!!!!

Greetings All;
What a great catfish bite that is going on right now on the Mississippi River. Best part is you do not need any fancy tackle or an expensive boat to enjoy the action. All you need is some nice juicy nightcrawlers, and your in business. 
Right now those hungry cat's are cruising the side sloughs and backwater areas in search of an easy meal. Suspend a crawler on a slip float rig about 2 feet off the bottom near downed structure laying in the water and hang on. The catfish are hitting this rig hard so be ready for a violent strike. Because of this, always have your rod in a rod holder or be holding on to it tight. If you leave it lay loose, the fish might just jerk it overboard.

The upcoming weekend weather is not looking to bad so it's a perfect time to get out and enjoy some of the great catfish action that is available on the river right now. 

Note: While running your boat on the river there is still floating debris just under the surface in many locations. Be extra careful and run slow. Always wear that PFD when the boat is in motion.
 So get yourself a mess of crawlers, head out to your favorite backwater area and enjoy. It's just that simple. 

Regards:  Lastcast  Mike Cyze  lastcast13@yahoo.com  

DON'T LET THE HIGH WATER KEEP YOU HOME!!!

Greetings All:
Well, after a very wet Memorial Day weekend, there is still lots or rain in the forecast. With that in mind, I want to mention that even though the Mississippi is high you can still catch a nice mess of fish with some planning. When the water is high it is still very fishable. As long as the water levels are not constantly going up and down you can go out and pattern the fish. It's that quick rise or drop that scatters the fish making them hard to locate. Right now, with high, stable river levels many species are available to catch.

Good catfish action is available on both cut bait and dip bait. Pan fish, both bluegill & crappie are hitting in the flooded backwater areas near structure. One of my favorites, the stripers are schooling baitfish onto flooded sand flat areas and you can catch them on white hair jigs or plastic shad bodies in the 3" size. Match the color to the forage. For you walleye and sauger anglers, pitch and flip jig/minnow rigs into the flooded willows near the main river side cuts. Some very nice fish available there.  Look for good bass action in the backwaters on top water baits near weed beds and downed timber.

All in all, don't let the high water keep you home. The fish are still there. Search out the locations I talked about and have yourself a ball.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com   

MEMORIAL DAY 2013

Amongst all the picnics and other festivities, LET US NOT EVER FORGET!!!

May God Bless them all...........

Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2013 OUTDOOR UPDATE!!!

Greetings All:
With the Memorial weekend upon us, may folks will be traveling to their favorite outdoor activity. Fishing, camping or boating, the choice is yours. 
If your going fishing, look for some good action starting on lakes, rivers and farm ponds. All species are in the biting mode and this should make for an enjoyable fishing adventure. For you campers, it's a great time to be outdoors at your favorite camping location. One thing though,,,BRING THE BUG SPRAY!!!  Ticks and Skeeters are out in full force. If your walking through grass, check for ticks. Before heading out it is a good idea to spray your cuffs and socks to help repel them. You boaters?, well just be safe. There will be a lot of boat traffic so stay alert. Don't drink and drive that boat. Last but no means least, wear those PFD's when in operation. 

In closing, lets not forget what the true meaning of Memorial Day is. Say a prayer in your own way for all those that lost their life's defending our freedom and all those still doing the great job our military does to keep us safe. While we enjoy our freedoms here, it is because of all those brave Men and Women that served and continue to serve in the military. 

THANK YOU ALL AND MAY GOD BLESS.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

I ASK FOR A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME!!!

Greetings:

I ask all of you that visit this board to, each in your own way ask the Good Lord to shine his blessings on all of those folks in Oklahoma that went through the horrific tornado that caused such death and destruction. It seems like we all, myself included sometimes have a tendency to take things for granted, not realizing how fast our life's can be turned upside down when an event like this happens. May God bless all the living and deceased of this horrific tragedy and may he give them the strength to carry on. You are all in my prayers.

   Lastcast   Mike Cyze    lastcast13@yahoo.com

GREAT FISHING WEEKEND AHEAD ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with another weekend upon us it looks like the fishing on the Mississippi from Pool-9 through 13 is really taking off. Lots of nice white bass available and also some great catfish action starting up. Walleye are spotty but the sauger are cooperating. Jig/minnow rigs for walleye, sauger and also those huge white bass. For the catfish, cut bait still doing their thing. Canned sardines working well also for catfish. In the many backwater areas, look for good panfish action for crappie and bluegills. Crappie tight to timber and gills near emerging weed and grass beds. For you bass anglers, plastics fished in the backwaters doing well. Dark color plastic worms taking many fish. 

There is a chance of some showers on Sunday but Saturday looks great. Hope you can get out and enjoy some great Mississippi River fishing. Have fun, be safe and save a few for me.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

COOL TEMPS AND STRONG WINDS,,,BUT HOT FISHING ON THE MISSISSIPPI!!!!!

Greetings All:
Well, not the best weekend weather wise but some hot fishing action on the Mississippi river. Was out the last two day enjoying the fast action for some big white bass (Stripers). With the water levels very high the fish were using the windblown shorelines to school shad and other bait fish to eat. They were pushing this forage very shallow and in depths of 1 foot or less. Casting a white 1/8th ounce hair jig tipped with a white 2" twister tail was the ticket this weekend. Cast the jig right up on to the shoreline and bring it back into the water with a nice steady retrieve. You can add some twitches to the retrieve also. Experiment to see what the fish are looking for to hit. When you get into one of these heavy feeding schools the action is really fast. 
Look for great striper action to continue as the waters warm this coming week. Good action should be available into June before the fish head to their Summer depths which makes them harder to locate. Right now you can have a ball catching these true fighters. Use a light tackle set up for some extra fun. Good luck and enjoy.

Regards: Lastcast,  Mike Cyze,,lastcast13@yahoo.com

RIVER FISHING COMING ALIVE!!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with the warmer temperatures here in the Midwest, the Mississippi River fishing is coming alive. All species of fish are biting and I look for it to only improve as we go through the month of May. One of my favorites during May are the huge white bass that are available. With the high water you can find them schooling small shad and other bait fish onto flooded sand flats. Cast jig/minnow rigs tight to shore and retrieve back to the boat. The fish will attack your offering with muscle. If fishing from shore, cast out and retrieve while changing actions to see what they are hitting. Either way, look for some huge white bass during May and into June. With the river high, hit those flooded areas and enjoy the great fishing that's starting to really turn on.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

FARM POND BASS ARE STARTING UP!!!

Greetings All:
 
Finally with some warm weather this last week the fishing in those farm ponds is picking up. I have been checking some of my favorite farm ponds here in the Midwest and the bass fishing it actually quite good. Was out yesterday evening and started throwing a 6" purple plastic worm and the bass were eating it up. Was casting at a 45 degree angle to shore line and retrieving with slight twitches in my retrieve. As the worm was entering the shallows the bass were hitting it hard. In less than an hour, caught and released 13 nice chunky bass in the 3 pound range. 

With cooler weather forecast for the upcoming weekend along with a cool rain, look for those shallow bass to move to deeper water as the cold front arrives. All weekend predicted to be below normal in temperatures and this will drive those fish deeper once again. You can still catch then though by making long casts to the deeper water and working the worm very slow. This will take some fish, even in the cooler conditions. 

I'll tell you folks, the farm ponds are starting to come alive again so if you can, get out to your favorite one that has bass and enjoy some great fishing. 

Note: If you are catching those egg laden female bass, handle then gently and release them to complete their spawn. 

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze,  lastcast13@yahoo.com 

WITH HIGH WATER, HIT THOSE BACKWATERS!!!

Greetings All:
Well, the Mississippi River is still high but there is some great fishing available in the many backwater areas and sloughs. With so much flooded vegetation back there the fish have moved shallow to feast on the new food supply like nightcrawlers and insects. With that in mind, fish those shallow flooded areas for some very nice panfish. Both crappie and bluegill are in this flooded brush and trees and can be caught right now. I was out early this morning on Pool-13 and the panfish were feeding well. Minnows for those crappie and larvae baits for the bluegills. Remember to fish right up tight to and in the flooded cover and you will score. Note: With so much flooded area available for the fish to use, if one spot does not produce fish in 10 minutes or so, try another. With some patience you will find the schools and when you do you will have a ball.

With a nice weather weekend on tap, hopefully you can get out for a few hours of fishing on the Mississippi River.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze,,,lastcast13@yahoo.com

GREAT TIME FOR "HONEY DO"!!!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with the very high water on the Mississippi River, it's a great time to take care of your "Honey-Do" list. Get those jobs done now so that when the river gets back to being fishable, you will be ready to go. It's also a great time to check over your tackle for another season of angling. Right now it looks like high water is going to be with us for a while. Once the weather stabilizes, fishing will get much better, even with high water. Right now, muddy and very dirty water with lots of floating junk in river. 

With the floods here, get that Honey-Do list finished and she will love you for it!!!

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

MANY WALLEYE IN BACKWATERS!!!!

Greetings All:
 With the very high water conditions along the Mississippi, main river fishing is a bust right now. With that in mind though, there are many big walleye available in the many flooded backwater areas. These big fish are in search of warmer water so that they can start their spawning activity. Was out this morning and caught some nice big females by pitching jigs tight to flooded willows in 2 to 3 feet of water. The fish are holding tight to the cover so expect to get hung up occasionally. All the fish I caught were released safely to complete their spawn. Hopefully if you catch some of these big females you will do the same. Bring the camera, take some pictures and let them go. If your looking for some fish for the pan there are many smaller males available for a great meal. 

Don't let this high water get you down. Hit the backwater areas all up and down the Mississippi River and you will find fish to catch. 

Note: Forecast is for possibly 3 to 4 inches of rain in the Midwest over the period of Wednesday thru Thursday, so plan accordingly. Call ahead and check the weather.

Good luck and enjoy.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

HIGH WATER IS A REALITY!!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with all this rain we have been having, the Mississippi River has risen numerous feet in most locations. With lot's of snow on the ground up in Minnesota and Wisconsin still to melt, look for high water conditions to be around for some time. With that in mind, forget about the main channel fishing and head into the many back waters for some fine fishing. Right now there are big, pre-spawn walleye there that are quite catchable. Try pitching jig/minnow rigs tight to flooded willows and hang on. Was out earlier today and caught some nice fish in the backwaters using this method. In place of a live minnow I used a 3" plastic shad body with excellent results. Match the color to your local forage base. 

You can also find panfish and catfish active in the flooded backwaters and they are hungry also.
So don't let the high water ruin your plans, learn to adapt, fish those backwater sloughs and you will catch some nice fish. 

One last thing. Let those big egg laden female walleye go to complete their spawn. This will help the future populations thrive. Heck, there are enough eater size fish available anyway.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lasatcast13@yahoo.com

WHAT A GREAT DAY ON THE RIVER!!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with the mild day today it was just to nice to stay home. With that in mind I hit the Mississippi River for a few hours of fishing. While most boats are still fishing the tailwater area by the dam, I headed down river to a spot that has produced for me many times over the years in the Spring. After making the 8 mile run I found conditions just perfect. Nice current combined with good structure and an inflowing stream of water made conditions just what I hoped for. 

After tying on a 1/4th. ounce jig and a 3" plastic shad body, I started casting the area. It did not take long for a nice fat walleye to engulf my bait. After a nice fight a chunky 4 pound walleye was caught and then gently released to fight another day. In a few hours of fishing and never leaving that spot, I boated over 25 healthy fish, both walleye and sauger. I did keep a few for the pan but all others were released safely. 

With the weather getting better, hopefully you can make some plans to get out on the Mississippi and enjoy some great fishing that is going on right now. Search out the types of spot I mentioned above and you will find fish there.

So get that boat ready for what is shaping up to be a great Spring of fishing on the old Mississippi river.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze,,,lastcast13@yahoo.com

IT'S EASTER WEEKEND!!!

Greetings All:
Just wanted to take a moment to wish all of you folks that use LASTCASTOUTDOORS.COM  a very Happy & Blessed Easter.

I'll be taking to weekend off for this holy holiday but will be back on the water Monday. Until then, enjoy your weekend.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

MILD WEATHER FORECAST FOR EASTER WEEKEND FISHING!!!

Greetings All:
Well, finally Mother Nature is giving us a mild weekend forecast coming up. Don't know how many of you will have a chance to get out on the river with this being Easter weekend but just in case, here is the scoop as of today. 

Was out this morning and still finding many fish down river. Look for flats and also points that are breaking the current. Also, if you find a steep tapering rocky shoreline that the wind is blowing into, work it over good. The sauger and walleye have been schooling baitfish into these types of areas, especially on cloudy days. With a 20% chance of showers on Saturday in the forecast, it might be a good idea to hit these areas hard. Casting jig/minnow & jig/shad bodies tight to shore and retrieving back down the slop into deeper water has been working well for me. Now we all know that a bite can change fast but this method has put some nice, big fish in my boat the last few days. 

If you can't get out, don't worry, fishing is only going to get better as we move further into Spring. With that said,,,HAPPY EASTER to All!!!!!!!

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com 

FARM PONDS STILL PRODUCING GOOD!!!

Greetings All:
Even though it is officially Spring, the very cold weather has kept good safe ice in area farm ponds. The fish in these locations are really cooperating with great catches of panfish available. Excellent bluegill and crappie action is available at ponds that contain these species.

I have been out the last few days with excellent results. Using small rat-fink jigs tipped with a juicy waxworm has taken some nice slab crappie. For the gills, small spikes on a tiny teardrop jig working well. Look for this action to continue for a while with this cold air expected to stick around for the next week or so. 

Dress warm and get out and enjoy. The fish are hungry!!!

Regards:  Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

RAIN AND MELTOFF CAUSING RIVERS TO RISE!!!

Greetings All:
Well, the heavy rains and the ensuing melt off of the snow has cause the Mississippi River to rise rapidly and get quite muddy. Strong current in the tailwaters of the dams making fishing very poor at this time. Backwaters still have some ice in them making boating in still impossible. If you must get out and wet a line, head down river although you may still hit areas of ice. Look for any type of a good current break right now that the fish can use to get out of the main current. Fan cast the area with jig/minnow rigs or jig/shad body rigs and let the current do the work for you. Fish in these less current areas will hit a well placed lure as it drifts by. 

If we do not get any more rapid melt off, look for things to stabilize within a week. Before the rise, fishing was actually quite good in Pools 11-12-13 & 14. Hopefully it will return soon.

Regards: Lastcast  Mike Cyze  lastcast13@yahoo.com

START YOUR SPRING TURKEY SCOUTING NOW!!!

Greetings All:
Just a reminder that it is not to early to start your Spring turkey scouting now. It's a great time to get out into the woods and learn the areas where the birds are roosting and also feeding. You can also bring along your favorite turkey call and try getting the birds attention. Keep your distance while doing this and see what call the birds react to best. By doing this now, you will be way ahead of the game when hunting season starts. As I write this, I am looking out my window at approximately 25 nice big wild turkey that are feeding in my corn field. What a great site to see all these big, healthy birds. Getting that Spring turkey hunting fever more and more each day.

Spring turkey season will be here before you know it so get out and explore the area you intend to hunt. You'll be glad you did.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

TAILWATER ACTION HEATING UP!!!

Greetings All:
Well, fishing in the tailwaters of Pools 11-12 & 13 is getting better each day the weather holds so that you can get out and fish. Now keep in mind that you will have to cull your catch as many of the fish are on the smaller side. With some effort on your part you can easily get a limit of keepers for the frying pan. Remember that when you bring these fish up from the deep water areas to release them quickly so they can survive being hauled from the deep water. They can rupture their swim bladders and die if not released quickly. 

The next two days are not looking good for getting out on the river. With a snow storm forecast for Tuesday and into Wednesday, weathermen  are forecasting 5 to 7 inches of snow possible. If this does occur, the ramps will not be usable for a few days after until they are cleared by the cities. Best to call ahead and get the local conditions before making the trip to where ever you intend to fish.

Look for a great Spring if Mother Nature does not pull any weather tricks on us.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

HOT FISHING ON THIS COLD DAY IN DUBUQUE, IA. !!!!

Greetings All:
Well, headed out to the tailwaters up in Dubuque earlier today and am I glad I did. Not many boats out but lots of nice fish available. I started on the Wisconsin side of the river by fan casting 1/4th ounce jig/minnow rigs near the fishing barge and caught some nice sauger. The area between the barge and the dam was producing best. Make sure your tight to the bottom or you will not get bites. I them moved across to the Iowa side and fished the lock wall. Here sonars worked slowly took a few nice fish also. The key was to not work the sonar fast like most anglers do.  Just use a slow lift and fall presentation for best results. 

It was a cold day but the fishing was red hot!!!  Tomorrow forecast to be warmer so I'm hoping to get out and try my luck again. If you head out and see the Alumacraft in the area, stop by and say hello.

Regards:  Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com
 

OPEN WATER AVAILABLE FOR EARLY RIVER FISHING!!!

Greetings All:
 If your itching to get out and wet a line, there is open water available for you on the Mississippi River. The tailwaters at Dubuque and Bellevue are currently open to boat fisherman. Right now, I would recommend Dubuque as the better spot to fish. Bellevue putting out mostly small fish to short to keep. Up at Dubuque, look for a good bite on the Wisconsin side of the river up near the fishing barge. Trolling jig & minnow rigs and also 3-way rigs will take some nice fish right now. On the Iowa side by the lock, fish the wall using a vertical jigging approach and make sure you are tight to the bottom. That's where the fish are holding.  You can also try using sonar type lures if you prefer. Just work them slowly as a fast motion is not taking many fish. Look for most of the hits to come as the lure is fluttering back towards the bottom. 

If your getting the urge to fish the river, this might be a good weekend to give it a shot.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

FINALLY BACK AFTER MY ILLNESS!!!!

Greetings All:
Well, I'm finally back after a really nasty bout with the Flu. It came on quick and really knocked me down for a few weeks. So much for the Flu shot I guess, LOL. Sorry for not posting here on the blog but was really sick with 102-103 temps for multiple days in a row. In fact, still working on getting my strength back.

Look for the blog to once again start getting the latest info out to all you folks out there in the Outdoor world. Now that I'm feeling better, will get caught up on what's happening.

Regards:  Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

HOT FARM POND FISHING A REAL BLAST!!!

Greetings All:
 Local farm ponds throughout the Tri-States Area are continuing to produce some great ice fishing. After the Radio Show yesterday I headed to one of my favorite farm ponds for some night time crappie action. Wow!! The fish were in a biting mood as my friend and I landed slab crappie after slab. The fish were suspended 3 foot down under the ice are were hungry. Glow Demon jig's tipped with a wax worm took all the fish.  We kept a few for the frying pan and all others were released to fight another day. 

This morning I headed to another farm pond and the Bluegills were also very hungry. On this rather mild day no ice shanty was needed as the Sun felt really good on my body. Small Rat Finkie jigs tipped with spikes did the trick here. After a few hours of great action it was time to head home for my "Honey-Do" stuff. If the predicted ice storm does not happen tomorrow, I'll be right back out fishing the great farm pond bite that's going on right now.

Regards & Good Fishing:  Lastcast  Mike Cyze  lastcast13@yahoo.com 

NIGHT TIME CRAPPIE BITE AWESOME!!!!!

Greetings All:

Last night I headed for one of my favorite farm ponds that hold good numbers of big crappie. After setting up my shanty, drilling a few holes and getting the heat going, it was time to fish. 

Nighttime crappie fishing has been a favorite of mine for many years and continues to be. I'll tell you folk's, it did not take long for the crappie to find my Custom Jig's & Spin Demon Glow jig tipped with a wax worm as I lowered it down to 9 feet deep, just above where the crappie were suspended. I watched the fish on my Aqua-Vu 760CZ color camera as they came up to my offering and in the blink of an eye, sucked it in. It was fish on!!!  For the next 3 hours I caught crappie after crappie, along with some very big bluegills. Heck, even Mr. Bass got in the act. I kept a few for the pan and all the others were released safely to fight another day. 

I'll tell you folks, try some nighttime crappie fishing at a farm pond near you, I know you will be pleasantly surprised with the results. 

Regards: Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

GREAT WEEKEND SHAPING UP TO HIT THE ICE!!!

Greetings All:

Well, it looks like the weatherman is going to give us a great weekend here in the Midwest to get out and do some ice fishing. Conditions are getting better as the colder air has returned to the area making for safer ice. Farm ponds and lakes are your top producers at this time with rivers also producing some fish. Panfish are available using larvae type baits and some good walleye action using big 3" minnows on a quick strike rig. Best times have been at sunrise and again at dusk when the crappie are very active. Hopefully you will get a chance to get out this weekend and enjoy the great Winter action that's going on right now at those frozen waters we all love to fish.

Good luck, be safe and ALWAYS check that ice before venturing out.

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com


NOTE: Look for my upcoming series on ice fishing and the proper equipment necessary to put the odd's in your favor.

SAFE ICE FORMING ONCE AGAIN!!!

Greetings All:
Once again, after the brief rains and warmer weather which played heck with local ice conditions it's getting cold enough to get safe ice forming once again. Now with that said, always check your location for safety before venturing out. 

I have been fishing some of my favorite local farm ponds and have been having excellent results for both crappie and bluegill. With the use of my Aqua-Vu 760cz underwater color camera I have been finding the fish have been suspending in open water rather than holding on structure. With it's depth readout and temperature readout, I have not used my depth finder at all to locate fish. The camera has been a big improvement in both locating and also catching the fish through the ice for me. 

Both species taking larvae type baits fished on small jigs. Once fish located it's a matter of just getting the bait down to them. It seems that very little to no movement has been what the fish have been wanting. Excess movement seems to spook them. Experiment to see what they want on your particular body of water. Good luck, be safe and enjoy the great ice fishing going on right now on a farm pond near you.

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER ICE FISHING DOING WELL!!!

Greetings All:
The great ice fishing on the Mississippi river continues in the backwaters. Areas of pools 11-12-13 & 14 are putting out some good fish. Panfish and some walleye are biting along with some bonus Northern Pike. Most anglers are hitting the backwaters and catching fish right now on both larvae type baits and also minnows. For those panfish, small jigs tipped with wax worms or spikes working well. 

With the recent warm weather, be very careful as the river ice conditions are changing on an almost daily basis. The ice you fished yesterday may not be safe tomorrow so use extreme caution when heading out. Never take river ice conditions for granted.

Good luck and enjoy the great ice fishing going on right now on a backwater near you.

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

GREAT WEEKEND TO HIT THE ICE!!!

Greetings All;
Looks like a nice upcoming weekend to get out and fish some of the many backwaters on the Mississippi River. Weather forecast looking good with temp's in the 30's. I have been fishing these areas almost daily and can tell you that the fish are there and they are hungry. Look for decent crappie action in deeper areas of backwaters. Bluegills holding tight to structure such as weed beds and downed timber in the water. You will find the crappie deeper than the bluegill so depending on what species you are after, adjust your depth accordingly. 
Small larvae type baits like wax worms and spikes working well on small ice jigs. Small minnows also taking some of the crappie. 
Depending on the area you intend to fish, check with your local bait shop for latest reports on ice conditions. Remember that river ice can turn dangerous quickly due to underwater currents. Good luck and enjoy the great ice fishing that's available now on a backwater of the Mighty Mississippi!!

Regards: Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com