GREAT WEEKEND TO HIT THE ICE!!!

Greetings All;
Looks like a nice upcoming weekend to get out and fish some of the many backwaters on the Mississippi River. Weather forecast looking good with temp's in the 30's. I have been fishing these areas almost daily and can tell you that the fish are there and they are hungry. Look for decent crappie action in deeper areas of backwaters. Bluegills holding tight to structure such as weed beds and downed timber in the water. You will find the crappie deeper than the bluegill so depending on what species you are after, adjust your depth accordingly. 
Small larvae type baits like wax worms and spikes working well on small ice jigs. Small minnows also taking some of the crappie. 
Depending on the area you intend to fish, check with your local bait shop for latest reports on ice conditions. Remember that river ice can turn dangerous quickly due to underwater currents. Good luck and enjoy the great ice fishing that's available now on a backwater of the Mighty Mississippi!!

Regards: Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

WHAT A "CAMERA PERFECT" DAY ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!

Greetings All:

What a great day it was today out on the Mississippi River ice fishing. My plan was to fish some of my favorite backwaters on Pool-13 near the small town of Sabula, IA., where I knew the ice was good and safe to walk on. After drilling 3 holes in the ice, setting up my shanty and getting the heat going I lowered my Aqua-Vu 760cz underwater camera into one of the holes to check things out. WOW!!!  What a great color picture of the area did I see. I was looking at a huge amount of panfish, both bluegill and crappie that were relating to the timber underwater I was planning on fishing. After seeing these fish I quickly got my baits into the holes and watched them on the camera as the fish gained interest. By watching my ice jig on camera I was able to see just what action the fish wanted in the lure and was quickly able to adjust. I'll tell you folks, it did not take long before a nice 13" crappie inhaled my jig and the fight was on. After landing the fish and while taking the hook out, my other rod suddenly jumped as another fish had inhaled the bait.  This fast action went on for the better part of three hours as panfish after panfish was caught. One thing for sure, by using the Aqua-Vu underwater camera I was able to actually watch how the fish were reacting to my presentations and adjust accordingly. 

After finally calling it a day I kept a few nice fish for the frying pan and started to get ready to leave. While getting my equipment in place for my trip home, I thought to myself how different it would have been if I was fishing blind and did not have the Aqua-Vu  760cz to see the fish with. A lot different I concluded.  One thing for sure, I'll always use the Aqua-Vu during my ice fishing adventures to stack the odd's in my favor. 

If you have never fished with an underwater camera, check out the finest made, Aqua-Vu for the one that fits your fishing needs. Simply go to www.aquavu.com. Your fishing will never be the same.

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

 

BACKWATER ICE FISHING OFF TO A HOT START!!!

Greetings All:

Well, finally with the extended cold weather there is some safe ice in those river backwaters to fish. Along Pools 10-11-12 & 13, you can get into and explore some great fishing grounds. With the lower than normal water levels, try and find the deepest water available in these backwater areas and also look for some type of structure such as timber. 

Crappie and bluegill are two of the most sought after fish through the ice and they are available now. Use small larvae type baits for best results. Also use light line. Small ice fishing lures in bright colors working well right now but bring along an assortment of lures for best results. 

The "Good" ice has arrived so dress warm and get out to enjoy some of the fastest ice fishing of the season. It's going on in a backwater near you right now!!!

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com  

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!

Greetings:

Just a moment to wish all my friends, Radio listeners and also all those that read my print media articles, a Very Merry Christmas and also a Very Prosperous 2013. Thanks for your support and I look forward to seeing you at the many sport shows I will be doing in 2013 all across the country. 

On this special, Holy Day, may you be enjoying the closeness of family and friends and making memories that will last a lifetime. 

Also, while enjoying the Great Outdoors, may your livewells always contain fish, your hunting trips be successful and may Mother Nature allow you many more outdoor adventures in your life. 

Regards and again,,,MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY 2013!!!!

Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com 


 

BE CAREFUL ON THAT FIRST ICE OF THE SEASON!!!

Greetings All:
Just a quick reminder to be EXTRA careful when venturing out onto the first ice of the season. 

I know we are all chomping at the bit to get out and do some ice fishing but safety is a priority. 

The weather is supposed to warm up again here in the Mid-Midwest so any ice now formed will quickly go bad and be very unsafe. For you folks up North in Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin, that snow cover hides bad spots in the ice so use lots of caution there. 

With temperatures in the 40's predicted for the next week or so here in the Mid-Midwest, get out and hit that open water until Mother Nature decides to give us safe ice.

Regards:   lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com 

WHITE BASS IN DECEMBER?? YOU BETCHA!!!

Greetings All:
Well, with this very unusual December weather we have been having, the fishing on the Mississippi River continues to amaze me. 
I was out for some walleye and sauger this morning and while fan casting jigs in one of my favorite downriver spots, I started to catch some really huge white bass. I was casting an all white, 1/4th ounce hair jig and the fish were going crazy over it. Normally my last white bass fishing ends by the end of October but this mild weather has even the fish confused. This time of the year these white bass are usually in their deep water Winter homes waiting for Spring. But this year it is not that way. After catching over 30 of these big fighters with some exceeding 3 pounds, I kept a few for the frying pan and all others were released to fight another day. 

So besides the walleye and sauger I caught, these big white bass were a bonus. Believe me, it made for an exciting morning on the river

As long as the river remains open, I'll be out there in search of the wonderful bounty the Mississippi River has to offer the angler. Hopefully you also can get out and enjoy.

Regards:  lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com 

BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FORECAST FOR UPCOMING WEEKEND!!!

Greetings All:

Well, this coming Saturday starts the month of December and the weather here in the Midwest area is forecast to be outstanding for this time of the year. Temps in some location's along the Mid-Mississippi River to be in the low 60's. For this time of the year this is superb.

If you can, try and get out on the river this weekend and enjoy some of the outstanding walleye and sauger fishing available. Tailwater anglers catching eater size fish while bigger fish available down river on the wingdams. Jig and minnow rigs still catching most fish when located right down near the bottom. Tip your jig with a nice lively minnow and you'll be in business.  You can also back-troll 3-way rigs and will also have some success. But for overall high fish catching percentage, it's the jig/minnow combination for me. 

There might not be many more weekends like this left before those cold Canadian winds start to blow and the waters start to freeze up. so if you can, get out and enjoy some great angling on the Mississippi river. You'll be glad you did.

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com    
 

HUGE WALLEYE AND SAUGER IN POOLS 11-12 &13 AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW!!!

Greetings All:
Well, if your willing to get out and brave the rather cool weather, you might just catch the biggest walleye of your life.  Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, I had a chance to sample the fishing in all three pools mentioned. Wow!!! The big fish were hungry and aggressive. Besides being able to catch a limit for the frying pan, some true trophy walleye in the 8 to 10 pound weight class were caught. Now keep in mind that if you choose to search out these lunkers, the bites are not as fast as the eaters. Using heavy jigs in the 3/4th and 1 ounce size range, deep water structure the fish were using for resting spots along the main river channel edges. Look for sunken timber and also rocky humps that the fish are currently holding on. Tip the jig with a big 3" minnow and fish it tight to the bottom. Boat control is a must so that you can hold right over your structure spot. As far as colors, match the forage base in the pool you are fishing. 

Look for these big bruisers to be available right up to ice-up when we can no longer get a boat in the water. Right now, river in great shape, though low on water it's nice and clear.

Hopefully you can make some time this coming weekend to get out and enjoy this great late Fall fishing on the Mississippi.

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

Footnote:  All those big walleye caught were handled gently and released to fight another day!!! 

TWO MORE DAYS LEFT TO GET OUT BEFORE WEATHER TAKES A DRASTIC TURN!!!

Greetings All:

Well fishing on the Mississippi has been superb with this beautiful weather we have been having. Hopefully you can make some time to get out in the next few days before the weather turns much colder. Forecast through Thanksgiving day is warm with a chance of some late day showers here in the Midwest. Friday is another story. From highs in the 60's Thursday to highs in the 30's on Friday with strong  North winds forecast will make for some raw fishing.

If you can get out in the next few days, look for nice walleye and also sauger hitting jig and minnow rigs near the dams and also on the long wing dams. Some nice crappie also available near structure and along rocky areas. River levels are still low so be careful running your boat outside the main channel markers. Lots of hazards just under the surface that will damage a prop or lower unit quickly. 

In closing, Happy Thanksgiving to all my radio listeners on ESPN Radio along with you folks that read my print media articles. I truly hope you have a great holiday with family and friends.

Regards:  lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

GREAT WEATHER CONTINUES FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES!!!

Greetings All:
Well, the great weather just keeps rolling along as we move to mid November. Lots of open water to fish and some great pheasant hunting available to boot. Nothing beats a morning hunt followed by some excellent Fall river angling on the Mississippi. Right now some nice birds available along fence rows near cut corn and bean fields. Kick that brush good as the birds are holding tight to cover. Walk a bit faster also and force the birds to get nervous and flush.

You can also spend the afternoon jigging for those tasty walleye and sauger that are available on the river. Some fish up in the tailwaters lately but the real hot action is down river on the wingdams and deep holes below them. Bring a good assortment of jigs in different colors and weights along with lively minnows in the 3" size range for best results. Keep your presentation close to the bottom where the majority of fish are currently holding. Vary your retrieve and let the fish tell you what they prefer on that given day. Once you get the motion they are looking for, stick with it. Right now there is an excellent bite going on in the afternoon till just after dark. Hopefuly you can get out and take advantage of it. 

With this great weather, it's the perfect Fall opportunity to get out and enjoy yourself.

Till next time,,,be safe and enjoy the outdoors!!!

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com