Tuesday, November 22, 2011

DEER HUNTING OFF TO A GREAT START!!!

Greetings All:
Well, deer hunting in both Wisconsin and Illinois is off to a great start. Lots of nice deer available to the hunter. Hunters using both tree stands and also ground blinds are scoring. 

I know it has been said many times before but ALWAYS know what you are shooting at. No one wants an accident on their mind the rest of your life and I don't want anyone getting seriously hurt or killed due to a lack of good judgment.

Hunt the areas where timber meets edges of farm fields where deer can find food. Late afternoon has found many deer on the move in these areas.

Last but not least, remember Fair Chase in your quest for that trophy deer.

Good Luck and be safe in the outdoors.

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

Friday, November 18, 2011

WEEKEND FISHING OUTLOOK GOOD!!

Greetings All:
Well, with another weekend upon us the fishing looks great. Many fish available in pools 11-12-13 & 14. Low water conditions making fish fairly easy. You will need a good assortment of jigs in different weights and colors and some nice big minnows to be successful. Areas like wingdams and river bends are producing nice walleye and sauger. Also fast tapering rocky shorelines holding fish. Fan cast shorelines till contact made. Cast shallow and work jig back down taper into deep water.

Weather forecast to be nice for this time of year but look for windy conditions making boat control tough. All in all it's going to be a great weekend to get out. Bring rain gear since there is a 20% chance of late day showers on Saturday.

Enjoy the river during this late season fishing bonanza that's going on right now.

Good Luck,,,,,,,Lastcast,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze              lastcast13@yahoo.com

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

GREAT NEW SEMINARS AND CLASSES COMING SOON!!!

Greetings All:

Look here for updates on my new Ammunition Reloading Seminars and Classes coming in the near future. Look for locations at major sporting goods stores, sport shows and also seminars all across the Midwest.
You will be able to learn the in's & out's of safely reloading your own ammunition and saving money to boot. 
Learn how to make your own custom loads along with re-using your spent shells. Both Shotshell, rifle and pistol reloading will be covered in these very informative classes. 

Keep checking back here for updates and schedules.  Hope you attend these classes.

For more information E-mail me.

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

Monday, November 14, 2011

EXCELLENT WEATHER EQUALING GREAT RIVER ANGLING!!

Greetings All:
Well, this spell of mild weather has been a bonus to anglers heading out on the Mississippi. Great fishing has been the rule with best results coming to those anglers that are picking their spots wisely. 

Some action up at the dams but the real action is still down river on the many wing dams and river bends that are available. Best part is that for the most part you will have these locations all to yourself as other anglers are getting caught up in the crowded tailwater fishing. As far as I'm concerned, that's great with me. 

You do not need lot's of tackle. A good selection of jigs in different colors and weights, some plastic tails and of course some nice big, lively minnows in the 3+ inch range. You can vertical jig deep locations or 3-way rig them while trolling into the current  slowly and keeping bottom contact. 

You can also fan cast likely looking spots and catch fish this way. Which ever method you choose, if you do not get a hit in about 15 minutes of working the spot, move to another spot. 

Nice walleye and sauger action going on right now in pools 12-13 & 14. 

Get out and enjoy before this nice weather turns to junk.

Good luck and Great Fishing!!!

Regards: Lastcast,,,,,Mike Cyze

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

COLD WEATHER BRINGING HOT FISHING!!!

Greetings All:
Well, snow and cold has been the rule as of this post but that has not stopped the Mississippi River from giving up her bounty.  Some excellent fishing for walleye and sauger down river from lock/dam 12 in Bellevue. Most anglers still beating the tailwaters to death when the truly great fishing is taking place a few miles away. 

Start your search on some of the long wingdams about 5 miles downriver across from the sand prairie area. This is just upstream from the Maquoketa river on the Iowa side of river. 3-way rigging big minnows, (3-4") on front sides of dams working well. Watch your depth finder and look for deep scour holes. Casting 1/4th oz. orange Fireball style jigs tipped with a big minnow also working well. 

If you do not locate fish fairly quick, move to another wingdam down river. When you locate the bite you are in for a great time. Fish are aggressive now and hitting hard. 

Remember to stay tight to bottom. You may lose a few jigs to snags this way but you will also catch some very nice fish. 

Other pools also producing. Was up in Winona, MN and did very well there also. Cold, but hot fishing. If you can, get out before the weather gets really bad and enjoy the action.

If you need more info, e-mail me at:  lastcast13@yahoo.com

Good Luck & Stay Warm,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Lastcast,,,,,Mike Cyze

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

SLIGHT "WALLEYE CHOP" DID THE TRICK!!!

Greetings All:

Well, just returned from a few hours on the Mississippi and I have to tell you, fishing was great!!!  Slight chop on water made conditions just right.

Forget about those crowds up at the dam. I headed to one of my favorite spots about 8 miles down river and boy O' boy, the fish were waiting. 

Was fishing a Northland FireBall jig in bright orange tipped with a 3" minnow and the fish loved it. Location contained a series of drop-offs on a sand flat that got deep quickly. Simply cast the jig shallow and slowly retrieved along the sand bottom. Fish hit this presentation hard. 

In a little over a couple of hours, caught and released over 25 keeper walleye and sauger. All released safely to fight another day except a few for tonight's dinner. 

As I said in earlier posts, you do not have to get hung up in that crowded tailwater fishing with many boats. Lot's of great fishing action down river away from crowds. In my time down river, never saw another angler all the while I was there.

Hope you can work some time into your busy schedules to get out and enjoy some of the great Fall river fishing that's starting to get hot. Best part is that it's only going to get better all the way to ice-up.

Well folk's, have to go. Time to clean and fillet those beauties for tonight's dinner.  Deep fried fillets, homemade cole slaw and some fried potatoes with onions in butter. Don't get much better than that. But don't worry, I'll have some for you also, LOL!!!

If you need more Mississippi River information, contact me at: lastcast13@yahoo.com.

Also tell your friends about LASTCASTOUTDOORS.COM  fishing blog for the latest information on the Mississippi River. 

Take Care and I'll See You On The Water,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Lastcast,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

BUMPER BOAT FISHING HAS STARTED!!!

Greetings All:


Well, the bumper boat fishing has started in the tailwaters once again. Packs of boats circle each other aimlessly thinking that that is the hot spot to be.  Well folks, don't get caught up in this yearly occurrence. Fact of the matter is that most are just catching "Dinks" with the bigger fish leaving the area with all the commotion above.
Be a smart angler and head down river to one of the many Fall hot spots that never see an angler. Fish those wingdams and river bends where many fish are waiting for your offering. Best part is you can have these hot-spots all to yourself while those "Bumper Boat" anglers fight for position up by the dam.


Remember, NOT ALL Fish will be up at the dam in the Fall!!  Many are down river in spots that never see an angler. 


So be the smart one my friends and go downriver and find your own private hotspot. You will be glad you did.


Was out this morning, went down river about 7 miles from the dam and caught many nice walleye and also sauger while never seeing another angler except for the ones heading up to the dam, LOL.


So get out and enjoy some great Fall fishing,,,,,,,,,,But not at the dam!!!


Regards:   Mike Cyze,,,,Lastcast

Thursday, October 27, 2011

ZOMBIE MAX SHELL ARE HERE!!!

Greetings all:


Well, the fine folks at Hornady have done it again!!!  


Hornady – makers of some of the finest ammunition in the world – have released their new “Zombie Max” zombie killing bullets.
On their website, they have a full page spread about the new ammunition. They make it clear that this is not a joke and that these rounds are real, not toys and not a gag.  Check out what the fine folks at Hornady have to say about this new "KILLER" Product.


Till Next Time, Keep your powder dry and be safe in the Outdoors!!!


LastCast,,,,,,Mike Cyze

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

COLD WEATHER IS UPON US AND DUCKS ARE ON THE MOVE!!

Greetings All:
Lots of ducks on the move as cold weather takes a grip on the Midwest. Along the Mississippi Flyway, best results have been in backwater sloughs that are near farm fields where birds can go to feed. So far the traditional areas have not produced as well as those small ponds and marsh areas have.


Right now, change from main river areas and look for what I like to call "Pothole & Puddle Ducks". These smaller areas are getting a lot of bird action right now.  Most hunters are passing these areas up and are missing some great shooting.


One last thing for now. Afternoons have proven to be producing much better than early morning hunts. You can hit the blind after work for a bit and do quite well. 


Dress warm, be safe and remember, ALWAYS know what you are shooting at!!!  Also, don't take those far away shots and risk cripples. More birds will come your way. 


Have a wonderful time and make some memories.


Lastcast,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze

Friday, October 14, 2011

COLD WEATHER ENTERING THE AREA.

Greetings All:


Well, as I write this those very strong North winds are howling outside. Gusts of 40 MPH+ are common and expected to last through Saturday. Biggest problem with the winds is that they are causing the River to "Muddy Up" due to heavy wave action. Water chocolate color now and will take some calming down before good bite returns. Very tough for fish to locate your offering. Earlier today had 3 inch visibility using a bright orange jig, not very good at all. Some panfish, mainly crappie available in back waters and sloughs but tough going there also.   Those huge stripers I love to catch in October are there but they cannot find your bait very easy. If you insist on fishing for them, use a small, noisy and flashy crankbait with lots of vibration. This will help some.


On a side note, heavy winds bringing down lots of the great Fall colors. They won't last long at this rate.


Hope you get some time to enjoy the great fishing that is still left before ice-out. Be safe out there and save a few for me.  If you need more Mississippi River info, feel free to contact me at: lastcast13@yahoo.com.


Good Luck and till next time,,,Take Care And I'll See You On The Water!!!!!


Lastcast,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze.