Thursday, May 14, 2015

CATFISH ON THE PROWL!!!

Greetings All;
Why is Spring one of my favorite seasons to be out on the Mississippi? Well, maybe it's because of the great fishing that is available to those willing to learn its secrets. Right now, another one of my favorite species of fish are really putting on the feedbag. I'm speaking of the hard fighting, great tasting Catfish.

With ideal river conditions occurring, the catfish are really putting on the feedbag and many nice fish are available to anglers fishing for them. For some excellent Channel Catfish action, try fishing either worms or cutbait along the main channel edges. The catfish are currently using these areas and good catches have been the rule. Another method I have been using this past week is to float a single nightcrawler under a slip float rig with the current through likely fish holding areas. Set your initial depth about 3 to 4 feet deep and adjust as necessary. Add a few splitshot to your line about a foot or so up from the hook on your line and your ready to go. Let the current drift that crawler down river and hang on. The catfish have been hitting this rig hard and I look for this great bite to continue. 

Hopefully mother Nature will not provide any whammies in the weather department and you can get out and enjoy. 

Till Next Time,,,,Take Care and I'll See you On The Water.......................

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com    

Monday, May 11, 2015

THE "SILVER BULLETS" ARE ON THE BITE!!!!!

Greetings all;
Just wanted to let everyone know that the White Bass bite on the Mississippi River in Pools 11-12 & 13 has been great. Without a doubt this has been one of the best Spring runs in many years with lots of nice big fish available. 
This last week I have had the best success using a 1/4th. ounce, all white hair jig and casting to the fish. I tie my own hair jigs and the all white color has been driving the fish crazy. Best action has come fan casting areas like steep tapering, rocky shorelines, and wingdams. I have also had great success fishing big sand flat areas down river from river bends. Thoroughly work the area by casting at a 45 degree upstream angle and let the jig drift down river as you retrieve it. I have not been using any type of trailer on my jig but if you wish you can attach a 2" twister tail of the same color to your jig to give it a bulkier appearance. 

With fish close to the three pound mark available, this is shaping up to be one of the best early run of these "Silver Bullets" that I have seen in quite a while. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy before the fish move into their Summer holding patterns. I do look for the current pattern to hold up for at least another 3 weeks or more, pending any drastic weather changes in river conditions.

Till next Time, Take Care and I'll see You On The Water...........

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com  

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

DRIFT FISHING BITE IS HOT RIGHT NOW!!!

Greetings All:
For those of you folks that are making your plans for the upcoming weekend and those of you that can fish during the week, the Mississippi River bite has been hot despite of all the rain we have had here in the Midwest. The water clarity in Pools 10 through 14 has been really good and the fish have been responding well.
Best presentation the last few days has been drifting a single nightcrawler under a small float with the current near structure. Simply hook the crawler through its nose using a Salmon Egg hook and that's it. I also put about 3 to 4 split shot about 2 foot up on the line from the hook to keep the crawler down in the fish zone. Set your float at 3 to 4 feet deep as your initial setting and adjust the depth as necessary from there. For best results, use a line no heavier than 8 pound test. Also use a rod 6'6" or longer for best results in the medium to medium light range. Simply cast the crawler rig upstream from the structure you are targeting and let the current drift the crawler downriver. Keep a fairly tight line for best control and if there are fish there you will know very quickly. Simply repeat your drifts on the structure you choose. 
Right now this drifting presentation of a single nightcrawler in this natural looking presentation is really working well for all species of fish. 

That's it my friends, give this rig a try and I know you will be pleased with the results.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com