Greetings All:
With the recent rains, run off from the snow up North and a rising Mississippi River, the Spring fishing has really taken a big hit. From Lake Pepin down the Mississippi is a churned up mess. With flood warnings in many areas the river levels will take a bit of time to subside before we can once again expect to see a decent bite occurring.
Some fish are available in the backwater areas for those anglers that are willing to get out and fight the tough conditions. Look for some panfish available near deadfalls in the water. Crappie and some bluegill are starting to bite but water visibility is hampering their ability to find your bait.
On the main river, fishing is at a standstill with the fast current, dirty water and floating junk. If your chomping at the bit to get out right now, head for some of the many farm ponds here in the Midwest that are starting to come alive with a good panfish bite. Keep in mind though that even these are somewhat dirty from all the rains and wind.
In closing, once the weather settles down a bit, don't let the high water scare you. The fish are out there, it's just up to you to find them. Get into those follded backwater areas and find your own hot spot and you will have a ball.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
VERY HEAVY RAINS HAMPERING THE MISSISSIPPI BITE!!!
Greetings:
Well, with the very heavy rains that moved through the Midwest last night, (over 4" in some areas), the Mississippi River is rising and very dirty from run off. Look for the fishing to be slow until the water clears up and the levels stabilize.
Right now the cleanest water is in the backwater areas but even there it is rising and getting very stained.
So if you are planning a trip soon, call ahead first and check water conditions. The bite was doing well but this round of heavy rains has put a stop to it for a while.
Be safe folks and enjoy the great outdoors, it's right outside your back door.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, with the very heavy rains that moved through the Midwest last night, (over 4" in some areas), the Mississippi River is rising and very dirty from run off. Look for the fishing to be slow until the water clears up and the levels stabilize.
Right now the cleanest water is in the backwater areas but even there it is rising and getting very stained.
So if you are planning a trip soon, call ahead first and check water conditions. The bite was doing well but this round of heavy rains has put a stop to it for a while.
Be safe folks and enjoy the great outdoors, it's right outside your back door.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 10, 2014
COLD WATER CAT'S BITING!!!
Greetings:
For those of you that like catfish, there is a nice bite going on in the backwater areas of the Mississippi. Right now those hungry catfish are feeding on dead fish that have sunk to the bottom in these areas. These are the dead shad and other fish that were frozen in the ice during the Winter and now have sunk down. Look for areas of dark bottom bays and sloughs and fish in fairly shallow water. Try and scan the shorelines for dead fish on the bottom and you will have found a good spot.
I have been using fresh smelt from the grocery store and have been catching some really nice catfish by fishing the bait right on the bottom. One trick I have been using is to place a small piece of foam into the smelts mouth so that the foam will make the smelt float slightly off the bottom. The catfish like this presentation very much. As far as hooks, use the same size treble hooks you use from your dip baits.
If you like catfish, it's a great time to enjoy some of this fast and furious action that's going on now in a backwater near you before the great bite is over.
Regards: Lastcast,,,Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
For those of you that like catfish, there is a nice bite going on in the backwater areas of the Mississippi. Right now those hungry catfish are feeding on dead fish that have sunk to the bottom in these areas. These are the dead shad and other fish that were frozen in the ice during the Winter and now have sunk down. Look for areas of dark bottom bays and sloughs and fish in fairly shallow water. Try and scan the shorelines for dead fish on the bottom and you will have found a good spot.
I have been using fresh smelt from the grocery store and have been catching some really nice catfish by fishing the bait right on the bottom. One trick I have been using is to place a small piece of foam into the smelts mouth so that the foam will make the smelt float slightly off the bottom. The catfish like this presentation very much. As far as hooks, use the same size treble hooks you use from your dip baits.
If you like catfish, it's a great time to enjoy some of this fast and furious action that's going on now in a backwater near you before the great bite is over.
Regards: Lastcast,,,Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 3, 2014
BACKWATER AREAS HAVE SOME "CLEAN" WATER AVAILABLE
Greetings All:
With the wind mixed river looking like chocolate milk at this time, there are a few spots to try.
Many of the newly thawed backwater areas are much cleaner that the main river and the fish have been using them. With water levels currently up, you can get into some of these areas and fish the flooded brush and catch fish. Area that have flooded willows near the waters edge are holding some walleye and sauger right now. Try and find an area that is off, but still near enough to the main river so that fish can transition easily back and forth. You will find these fish holding tight in the cover so a basic pitching/flipping a jig method is working best. With this presentation you can be much more accurate.
As of this morning, I have found many very nice, chunky sauger in these types of areas using the presentation I mentioned above.
Again, look for the cleanest water you can find and the fish will be nearby. Good luck and enjoy the river and all it has to offer.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the wind mixed river looking like chocolate milk at this time, there are a few spots to try.
Many of the newly thawed backwater areas are much cleaner that the main river and the fish have been using them. With water levels currently up, you can get into some of these areas and fish the flooded brush and catch fish. Area that have flooded willows near the waters edge are holding some walleye and sauger right now. Try and find an area that is off, but still near enough to the main river so that fish can transition easily back and forth. You will find these fish holding tight in the cover so a basic pitching/flipping a jig method is working best. With this presentation you can be much more accurate.
As of this morning, I have found many very nice, chunky sauger in these types of areas using the presentation I mentioned above.
Again, look for the cleanest water you can find and the fish will be nearby. Good luck and enjoy the river and all it has to offer.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
HIGH WINDS HAMPERING MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING
Greetings All:
With the very high winds we have been experiencing here in the Midwest along the Mississippi River, they have really hampered the river fishing. The strong winds have been blowing up river and really churning up the river with whitecaps and turning the clear water to very muddy water. As of this report, Mississippi river is chocolate color in many locations making it nearly impossible for fish to see a lure. With rain on the way for the next few days, some heavy predicted, look for the river to stay very dirty. With the river being in bad shape visibility wise, it's a great time to check out your tackle and do any maintenance on your boat so you will be ready to go when the river does once again clear up enough to fish.
Hopefully Spring will start showing up on a more regular basis and the fishing will take off here in the Midwest.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the very high winds we have been experiencing here in the Midwest along the Mississippi River, they have really hampered the river fishing. The strong winds have been blowing up river and really churning up the river with whitecaps and turning the clear water to very muddy water. As of this report, Mississippi river is chocolate color in many locations making it nearly impossible for fish to see a lure. With rain on the way for the next few days, some heavy predicted, look for the river to stay very dirty. With the river being in bad shape visibility wise, it's a great time to check out your tackle and do any maintenance on your boat so you will be ready to go when the river does once again clear up enough to fish.
Hopefully Spring will start showing up on a more regular basis and the fishing will take off here in the Midwest.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
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