EASTER WEEKEND FISHING LOOKING GOOD ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Greetings All:

If your plans include some fishing this weekend on the Mississippi, look for some good action in Pools 10,11,12,13 & 14. Best action down river away from the crowds up in the tailwaters.

Bring along a good selection of jigs in different weights and sizes, some lively minnow and your all set to have a great day.  Look for fish on steep tapering banks and also on wingdams. Large flat areas also producing fish. 

Lots of smaller male walleye available for the frying pan and larger, egg laden females available for the camera. Release these bigger females so that they can complete their spawning. Get some good photos and handle them gently. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and if you do get out fishing,,,,leave a few for me.

Regards: Lastcast,    Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT SOME, "FARM POND MAGIC"!!!

Greetings All:
I just wanted to tell you about some "Farm Pond Magic" I had the chance to experience the other night.  I headed to one of my favorite local farm ponds with the hopes of just getting a few strikes. Well, let me tell you what happened next.

I brought my ultra-light set-up, 5' rod, 4 pound test line and an assortment of my own made jigs. 
After tying on a 1/16th ounce round head jig with a bright orange head I added a 1 1/2 " bright white twister tail to the jig. After checking my knot it was time to start fishing.

As I sat on the old, rickety dock I cast the jig to open water. As I started my retrieve, BANG, a hard strike and it was fish on. As I reeled in the fish it was a very respectable white crappie of approximately 12" in length. Well folks, to make a long story short, on the next 12 casts with that small jig and twister I hooked and released 12 more slab crappie. Fortunately for them I was not keeping any fish for the pan. I released them all to fight again and told them that in the future, "I'LL BE BACK" !!

As a footnote, I also caught some very nice bass and hybrid sunfish also after my great crappie run.  One thing for sure, I already have plans to head back today and try my luck again.

So if you love fishing farm ponds that contain fish, get out and enjoy some great fishing. These somewhat little ponds can hold some very large fish.   

Regards:  Lastcast,     Mike Cyze            lastcast13@yahoo.com

IT'S GETTING "BUGGIE" OUT THERE!!!!

Greetings All:
Just a reminder that with all this great weather we have been enjoying, those pesky insects are also enjoying it. This years of Mosquitoes  and Ticks are already out in full swing. Be sure to take precautions against getting bit if heading out into the Great Outdoors.  Also make sure the kids and the family pet is protected also. 

In purchasing a repellent, try and buy one that has a large concentration of the chemical called, DEET  for best results. Look for high concentrations of DEET and it will be an excellent insect repellent. Be sure to follow the manufacturers directions on the package for best results. 

Finally, tuck those pants into your boots so those critters cannot crawl up your legs and spray the area with DEET also.

Remember folks, "Don't Go Buggie"!!! Protect yourself properly against biting pests and you can enjoy the outdoors.

Regards:   Lastcast,     Mike Cyze               lastcast13@yahoo.com

 

TIME FOR SOME EARLY SPRING CAMPING!!!

Greetings All:
As we continue with the wonderful Spring weather here in the Midwest it's time to dust off that tent or camper and head out for some great camping opportunities. Right now all across the Midwest campgrounds are opening earlier than normal and also state Run Campgrounds are available to use. With the excellent weather forecast to continue, what could be better than getting an early start on this years "Season Under The Stars"??

So how about it?, Now is the perfect time to head out and enjoy the "Great Outdoors".  It's right outside your back door!!!

Regards: Lastcast              Mike Cyze                  lastcast13@yahoo.com

ULTIMATE SPORTSMANS TRUCK UPDATE COMING SOON!!!

Greetings All;

The "Ultimate Sportsman's Truck Project" is coming together great. With help from Chevrolet Motors and other well known truck parts suppliers, excellent progress has been made. Check back soon for further information on where you can see this great Chevrolet truck that has all the goodies any sportsman would want for time spent in the great outdoors. With more sponsors coming on board, look for this to truly be, "The Ultimate In Sportsman's Trucks"!!

As Always, Best Regards:     Lastcast          Mike Cyze              lastcast13@yahoo.com

FARM PONDS EXPLODING WITH FISH!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with this exceptionally warm weather we have been experiencing those local farm ponds have taken on a great bite. I have been exploring those ponds that I normally fish in May and have found excellent action for Bass and also Hybrid Sunfish. 

For the bass have been tossing a small Spinnerbait and rolling it slowly just under the surface. Also tube jigs taking some nice bass.  For the big Hybrid Sunfish I have been using small ice jigs tipped with a sliver if plastic worm about 1/2 " long. White has been an excellent color and the Gills are hitting it hard. Fish this setup under a small slip float.

If you get a chance, head out to your favorite farm pond for some great action. Good Luck

Regards: Lastcast,      Mike Cyze                  lastcast13@yahoo.com    

WEEKEND FISHING OUTLOOK GREAT ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!

Greetings All:
Well, the coming weekend and all of next week looking great for getting out on the river. Very mild weather is forecast with near record warm temps all next week. Look for temps in the 70's in the Tri-states area.  River is wide open and lots of fish available. Water conditions excellent also. 
Look for good walleye & sauger action on wingdams and off points. Also steep tapering rocky shorelines holding fish. If you like crowds, fish up at the dams. But for excellent, no crowd fishing, move downriver to some of the many hot-spots available. You will most likely have them to yourself. Best part is lots of nice fish available down river and not very many anglers aware of this fact. Many thin k that all fish in the early Spring are up at the dams. NOT SO!!!  While they are up there playing bumper-boats, you can excel down river. Jig & minnow rigs working well cast and also 3-way rigs for trolling deeper water. Use nice lively minnows in the 3" size range. Also as a bonus, lots of nice Northern in the side sloughs and backwaters available on spinnerbaits.

Good Luck and I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy.

Regards: Lastcast       Mike Cyze        lastcast13@yahoo.com  

TIME TO START SCOUTING THOSE SPRING TURKEY!!!

Greetings All:

Well before to long it will be time to get out and start hunting those Spring Gobblers. Right now is the time you should be getting out and exploring the areas you intend to hunt for birds. Don't wait till opening day and head into the woods clueless. By going out now you can start getting an idea on what areas the turkeys are using to both feed and also roost. Knowing this info will make scoring on the hunt much easier. So get off the couch, dress warm and head into the woods to locate those Spring Turkey you will be stalking sooner than you think.

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

GREAT FISHING RESUMES!!

Well, the snow storm came, dumped a bunch and now with warm temps it is all gone. River angling on the Mississippi River in Pools 11-12-13 & 14 is once again going strong. Pick your Spring locations wisely, not necessarily up by the dams and you can get into big concentrations of walleye and sauger. Simple jig/minnow rigs working best at this time. You can troll 3-way rigs if fishing deeper locations. If you do troll, work up-stream as much as possible. 

As far as bait?, go with bigger minnows in the 3" size range for best results. If your getting short strikes, add a stinger hook to minnows tail. 

Was out this morning, windy, but able to fish some fairly sheltered locations in pool 13 and caught some nice fish. Bright orange hair jig with white hair was a killer today. I tie these myself and have had excellent luck with these hair jigs.  If you have some, give them a try in bright colors.

Good Luck and Enjoy The Old Man River!!!

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

GREAT RIVER FISHING CONTINUES, BUT A BUMP IN THE ACTION IS COMING!!

Greetings All:

Well, the wonderful fishing is continuing on the Mississippi River but there is a glitch coming in view. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for up to 10" of heavy, wet snow to cover the region on Thursday. If this happens, it will effect the river from Guttenberg, IA down to the Quad Cities. Right now the river waters are nice and clear but that will change dramatically if the storm does occur.  If the storm is just rain it will not effect the river as much as heavy runoff from deep snow. 

If you have plans to fish the river this coming weekend, you might want to call ahead or check with me at: lastcast13@yahoo.com.  Lets hope Mother Nature changes her mind on the snow storm.

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