Greetings:
Was out early this morning and wanted to pass this along to all my friends that fish the Mississippi river and those thinking of fishing it.
With the Mississippi River open and in good shape, the fishing so far for both walleye and sauger has been very good.
In Pools 12 and 13, I have been experiencing a really decent bite with many nice fish being caught. There are two things that I have been doing different that has really helped catch those fish. Getting away from the usual 3-way rigs many anglers choose to use in the Spring and also the locations I have been fishing.
Right now I have been having excellent success using hair jigs that I tip with a plastic trailer. Best trailer so far this past week has been a 2" piece of plastic worm that I simply attach to the hook of the jig and let it trail. The bucktail jigs I tie myself have been great using this method either tipped with a minnow or just plain. As far as color?, the most fish I have taken were on an all black jig head with a combination of black and orange hair. This color scheme has been outstanding. Start with a 1/4th. ounce weight and adjust to the current conditions as necessary. For the plastic trailer, black or purple have worked best.
The second thing I have been doing is not fishing up at the dams. Right now there are many down river spots holding good fish that are hungry and never see an angler. River bend areas, sand flat areas and any creeks and streams that dump water into the river are holding fish. Look for distinct current breaks in these areas and you will find the fish. Fan cast the areas completely, changing your retrieve until you find what the fish are looking for. Also, stay within a foot or so of the bottom for best results. The water is still cold and the fish will not chase your lure far.
The walleye and sauger are available in many spots down river from the crowds up at the dam. So why not go and find your special honey hole? With great weather forecast, get out and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
ICE OUT CATFISH ON THE PROWL!!!
Greetings All;
With the river open now and with many anglers heading out, its a great time to start fishing those freshly thawed backwater slough areas for the hungry catfish that are available there.
Every year as the ice melts those dead fish that have been frozen in the ice over the Winter months sink to the bottom and the catfish are there in huge numbers to gobble them up. Look for those dark bottom bay areas that warm up quickly and enjoy some fast catfish action. As far as bait, I like to fish fresh smelt right on the bottom and have been having excellent results.
Cast the bait out and after it sinks to the bottom, take up the slack in the line, leaving just a little. Leave your reel bail open and wait for the bite to happen. When the catfish takes your offering, close your bail and give it a moment to get the bait in its mouth before setting the hook.
Right now is a great time to get out and fish for these hungry catfish that are feeding heavily in a backwater slough near you on the river. Its a bite that many anglers are not even aware is happening.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the river open now and with many anglers heading out, its a great time to start fishing those freshly thawed backwater slough areas for the hungry catfish that are available there.
Every year as the ice melts those dead fish that have been frozen in the ice over the Winter months sink to the bottom and the catfish are there in huge numbers to gobble them up. Look for those dark bottom bay areas that warm up quickly and enjoy some fast catfish action. As far as bait, I like to fish fresh smelt right on the bottom and have been having excellent results.
Cast the bait out and after it sinks to the bottom, take up the slack in the line, leaving just a little. Leave your reel bail open and wait for the bite to happen. When the catfish takes your offering, close your bail and give it a moment to get the bait in its mouth before setting the hook.
Right now is a great time to get out and fish for these hungry catfish that are feeding heavily in a backwater slough near you on the river. Its a bite that many anglers are not even aware is happening.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Monday, March 16, 2015
MISSISSIPPI RIVER POOL-13 OPEN TO ANGLERS!!!
Greetings All;
I'm happy to report that as of this post, the Mississippi River at Bellevue, Iowa, is open for fishing. There are still ice chunks in the river but with the warm weather it is opening up fast. Many folks are fishing close to the dam with mixed results for Walleye and sauger. I have been making my way down river as conditions permit and have found good concentrations of fish that are hungry for my offering. Was out this morning for a few hours and did well on a mixed bag of both Walleye and sauger fishing jigs in current break areas.
Another area that is hot this time of the season is fishing those discharge areas where warmer water is coming into the river. Bait fish are moving into these areas and the game fish are not far behind looking for an easy meal.
Look for rising water levels as the melt off continues but remember the fish are still there, they have just changed their location to avoid the harsh currents of Spring.
With dry and tolerable temperatures forecast for the upcoming 10 days, hopefully you can make some time to get out and shed those Winter cobwebs. One thing for sure, the Mississippi River will have you recharging your own batteries after the long Winter season.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
I'm happy to report that as of this post, the Mississippi River at Bellevue, Iowa, is open for fishing. There are still ice chunks in the river but with the warm weather it is opening up fast. Many folks are fishing close to the dam with mixed results for Walleye and sauger. I have been making my way down river as conditions permit and have found good concentrations of fish that are hungry for my offering. Was out this morning for a few hours and did well on a mixed bag of both Walleye and sauger fishing jigs in current break areas.
Another area that is hot this time of the season is fishing those discharge areas where warmer water is coming into the river. Bait fish are moving into these areas and the game fish are not far behind looking for an easy meal.
Look for rising water levels as the melt off continues but remember the fish are still there, they have just changed their location to avoid the harsh currents of Spring.
With dry and tolerable temperatures forecast for the upcoming 10 days, hopefully you can make some time to get out and shed those Winter cobwebs. One thing for sure, the Mississippi River will have you recharging your own batteries after the long Winter season.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, March 13, 2015
LIMITED OPEN WATER ANGLING STARTING!!!
Greetings All;
Just a quick update on a few open water angling opportunities that are available right now on the Mississippi River.
Went out early this morning and checked a few of my favorite wingdams that I am able to fish from shore and found some good, open fishable water there. Best part is that there were a few nice Northern cruising these areas and in less than one hour I hooked and landed 5 really nice fish. I was casting spinnerbaits with big noisy blade that had lots of flash also. Just a nice steady retrieve was all that was needed. Only reel in fast enough to get those blades turning in the water. The Northern hit this presentation by coming up from behind the bait and engulfing it. All the Northern were safely released to grow and fight again.
With open water areas showing up more every day, hopefully you can find a good shoreline spot to cast for these quality Northern that are hungry for your offering.
Enjoy the weekend warm weather and catch a few for me.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Just a quick update on a few open water angling opportunities that are available right now on the Mississippi River.
Went out early this morning and checked a few of my favorite wingdams that I am able to fish from shore and found some good, open fishable water there. Best part is that there were a few nice Northern cruising these areas and in less than one hour I hooked and landed 5 really nice fish. I was casting spinnerbaits with big noisy blade that had lots of flash also. Just a nice steady retrieve was all that was needed. Only reel in fast enough to get those blades turning in the water. The Northern hit this presentation by coming up from behind the bait and engulfing it. All the Northern were safely released to grow and fight again.
With open water areas showing up more every day, hopefully you can find a good shoreline spot to cast for these quality Northern that are hungry for your offering.
Enjoy the weekend warm weather and catch a few for me.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 12, 2015
ICE ANGLERS BEWARE, THE ICE IS LEAVING US FAST!!!!
Greetings all;
Just a reminder that the warm weather is making the ice go away very fast in most Midwest locations. Use extreme caution if venturing out for some late season ice fishing. Be especially careful in areas that have even the slightest current running under the ice. This will only quicken the ice melting and cause very dangerous conditions much quicker.
Farm ponds and river backwaters are also going out quickly so use caution there also.
If your looking for something to do, its a great time to get all your open water tackle ready for the upcoming fishing season. With this very mild weather expected to last for a while, open water angling is not far away at all.
Be safe out there and know those ice conditions before heading out.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Just a reminder that the warm weather is making the ice go away very fast in most Midwest locations. Use extreme caution if venturing out for some late season ice fishing. Be especially careful in areas that have even the slightest current running under the ice. This will only quicken the ice melting and cause very dangerous conditions much quicker.
Farm ponds and river backwaters are also going out quickly so use caution there also.
If your looking for something to do, its a great time to get all your open water tackle ready for the upcoming fishing season. With this very mild weather expected to last for a while, open water angling is not far away at all.
Be safe out there and know those ice conditions before heading out.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
ULTIMATE SPORTSMANS PICKUP TRUCK!!!
Greetings All;
It's that time of the year again and I am happy to announce that once again I will be showcasing the "Ultimate Sportsmans" Pickup Truck at shows across the Midwest.
With the cooperation of Chevrolet Motors this years truck will be a 2015 Chevrolet 1500 Crew Cab Pickup. This truck is being designed with all the bells and whistles that will make any sportsman happy. Whatever your pleasure, be it fishing, hunting, camping or boating, this truck will have features that will make your trips in the outdoors a pleasure.
Equipped with only the finest in equipment from manufacturers of truck equipment this 2015 Chevrolet is one of a kind.
Stay tuned for more information coming on this beautiful, "Ultimate Sportsmans Pickup Truck" and just where you can see it..
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
It's that time of the year again and I am happy to announce that once again I will be showcasing the "Ultimate Sportsmans" Pickup Truck at shows across the Midwest.
With the cooperation of Chevrolet Motors this years truck will be a 2015 Chevrolet 1500 Crew Cab Pickup. This truck is being designed with all the bells and whistles that will make any sportsman happy. Whatever your pleasure, be it fishing, hunting, camping or boating, this truck will have features that will make your trips in the outdoors a pleasure.
Equipped with only the finest in equipment from manufacturers of truck equipment this 2015 Chevrolet is one of a kind.
Stay tuned for more information coming on this beautiful, "Ultimate Sportsmans Pickup Truck" and just where you can see it..
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, March 6, 2015
MILD WEATHER FORCAST, LOOK FOR HOT FISHING!!!
Greetings All:
Just a quick note to let you all know that the current ice fishing conditions here in the Midwest are great. Lots of fish available to the anglers going out. On the Mississippi River, backwater areas producing all species. Lots of nice panfish and some big northern on tip ups.
Hot fishing also available in farm ponds for many different species. Good ice is still available but keep in mind that with the temperature forecast in the 50s this coming week the ice conditions will get very slushy and start to deteriorate quickly. Keep in mind that in areas with current under the ice this will happen even faster.
Note: I look for the Mississippi river to open quickly if the weather man is correct and the warm temperatures forecast the next few weeks occur.
Enjoy the remainder if the ice fishing season while the safe ice is still plentiful. It has been a great season but I am looking forward to the great open water season that is just around the corner.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Just a quick note to let you all know that the current ice fishing conditions here in the Midwest are great. Lots of fish available to the anglers going out. On the Mississippi River, backwater areas producing all species. Lots of nice panfish and some big northern on tip ups.
Hot fishing also available in farm ponds for many different species. Good ice is still available but keep in mind that with the temperature forecast in the 50s this coming week the ice conditions will get very slushy and start to deteriorate quickly. Keep in mind that in areas with current under the ice this will happen even faster.
Note: I look for the Mississippi river to open quickly if the weather man is correct and the warm temperatures forecast the next few weeks occur.
Enjoy the remainder if the ice fishing season while the safe ice is still plentiful. It has been a great season but I am looking forward to the great open water season that is just around the corner.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
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