Greetings All:
Well so far the Winter of 2014 has yet to arrive. That's fine with me. The best part though is that the fishing on the Mississippi river has been going strong for both Walleye and sauger. With lot's of open water still available to fish, anglers have many spots to try. I have been working the areas from Pools-11 to 14 and have been having great success. The fish are there in good numbers and the bite has remained excellent. Many anglers have stayed in the tailwater areas just below the dam but there are many spots further down river that are less crowded and have quality fish available. Best part is that in these spots you do not have to fight the heavy boat traffic up at the dam.
As far as presentation, jig/minnow rigs are working well. I have been using hair jigs with good success. You can tip the hair jig with either a minnow or plastic trailer and both will catch fish. As far as colors, white, orange and yellow have been doing good.
For you folks that like to troll, three-way rigging will also take its share of fish.
With no major weather forecast through the upcoming weekend, hopefully you can get out and enjoy some of the great Mississippi river fishing that is going on right now in a pool near you.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
VERTICAL "SNAP JIGGING" WORKING WELL FOR WALLEYE AND SAUGER!!!
Greetings All:
Well, this last week I have been traveling up and down the Mississippi River testing the waters in the many pools it has to offer. Tailwater fishing has been good with one particular method working very well for some nice fish. I'm talking about what is called "Snap-Jigging". Snap jigging is what it implies, quick snaps to your jig presentation to make it jump erratically. I have been using this presentation while vertical jigging and it has been working great the last few weeks. There is one thing though that I have been doing that will up your bites and let me share it with you.
While vertical jigging I have added a plastic Ringworm to my jig for both bulk and effect. I have also been tipping this setup with a nice lively fathead minnow in the 2 1/2 inch range. Simply lower the rig to the bottom and after taking up the slack in the line, give the jig a couple of quick snaps with your wrist. This sudden fast motion along with the jig and ringworm has been triggering a good bite. Look for the Walleye and also the sauger to hit the rig hard as it drops back down towards bottom. Snap jigging is nothing new but when combined with the ringworm as I have done, it adds a new dimension to the vertical jigging method.
There is still lots of tailwater fishing available so get out if you can and enjoy. Get yourself some ring worms in different colors, a good assortment of jigs and have a ball on the Mississippi river.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, this last week I have been traveling up and down the Mississippi River testing the waters in the many pools it has to offer. Tailwater fishing has been good with one particular method working very well for some nice fish. I'm talking about what is called "Snap-Jigging". Snap jigging is what it implies, quick snaps to your jig presentation to make it jump erratically. I have been using this presentation while vertical jigging and it has been working great the last few weeks. There is one thing though that I have been doing that will up your bites and let me share it with you.
While vertical jigging I have added a plastic Ringworm to my jig for both bulk and effect. I have also been tipping this setup with a nice lively fathead minnow in the 2 1/2 inch range. Simply lower the rig to the bottom and after taking up the slack in the line, give the jig a couple of quick snaps with your wrist. This sudden fast motion along with the jig and ringworm has been triggering a good bite. Look for the Walleye and also the sauger to hit the rig hard as it drops back down towards bottom. Snap jigging is nothing new but when combined with the ringworm as I have done, it adds a new dimension to the vertical jigging method.
There is still lots of tailwater fishing available so get out if you can and enjoy. Get yourself some ring worms in different colors, a good assortment of jigs and have a ball on the Mississippi river.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
RIVER ICE MAKING FISHING AN ADVENTURE!!!
Greetings All;
The cold weather up north is finally effecting the Mississippi River here in the central Midwest. From Pools 9 to 14 you can expect to find floating chunk ice in the river which is limiting the anglers ability to get to more spots in search of those Fall walleye and sauger. Right now most anglers that are venturing out are concentrating on the tailwater areas for their fishing. Even there though you should use caution when boating to avoid damage to both your boat and motor from the ice chunks.
For you hearty anglers that may be planning a trip to the river this Thanksgiving weekend, look for great water clarity. Backtrolling jig/minnow rigs with big minnows will take some nice fish. You can also vertical jig tight to the bottom and catch some nice fish also. Hot colors this past week have been the bright orange, followed by white. I have had great success using the Northland Fire Ball jig in the 1/4th. and 3/8th. ounce sizes. The short shank hook on the Fireball jig gives a great hookset in the cold water conditions. Remember to fish slow.
So remember my friends, the fish are there and with a little patience on your part you can catch them with good regularity, even with the floating ice. Be safe on the river, wear that PFD and enjoy the great fishing that is going on right now in a pool near you.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
The cold weather up north is finally effecting the Mississippi River here in the central Midwest. From Pools 9 to 14 you can expect to find floating chunk ice in the river which is limiting the anglers ability to get to more spots in search of those Fall walleye and sauger. Right now most anglers that are venturing out are concentrating on the tailwater areas for their fishing. Even there though you should use caution when boating to avoid damage to both your boat and motor from the ice chunks.
For you hearty anglers that may be planning a trip to the river this Thanksgiving weekend, look for great water clarity. Backtrolling jig/minnow rigs with big minnows will take some nice fish. You can also vertical jig tight to the bottom and catch some nice fish also. Hot colors this past week have been the bright orange, followed by white. I have had great success using the Northland Fire Ball jig in the 1/4th. and 3/8th. ounce sizes. The short shank hook on the Fireball jig gives a great hookset in the cold water conditions. Remember to fish slow.
So remember my friends, the fish are there and with a little patience on your part you can catch them with good regularity, even with the floating ice. Be safe on the river, wear that PFD and enjoy the great fishing that is going on right now in a pool near you.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, November 14, 2014
MISSISSIPPI RIVER GIVING UP HER BOUNTY!!!
Greetings All:
The Mississippi River continues to give up her bounty of nice fish to the angler willing to put up with the "chill" in the air.
While the tailwater bite remains spotty in many areas, wingdams, steep tapering rocky shorelines and outside riverbends continue to produce some nice Walleye and sauger. Backtroll the upper sides of the wingdams with 3-way rigs and big minnows and you will catch some nice fish. Some anglers tossing crank baits on top of the wingdams and taking a few fish that way also.
The one fly in the ointment for this weekends fishing is that a fast moving weather system is expected to drop about an inch and a half of snow over the Midwest. This won't effect the angling but might make using those launch ramps an adventure in itself. With the cold temps, look for ice to form on these areas. So with that thought in mind, use caution when launching and again when leaving the ramp.
I'll tell you my friends, the fish are there and they are hungry. Dress warm, wear that PFD and you can enjoy some great Fall fishing that is happening right now on the beautiful Mississippi River here in the Midwest.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
The Mississippi River continues to give up her bounty of nice fish to the angler willing to put up with the "chill" in the air.
While the tailwater bite remains spotty in many areas, wingdams, steep tapering rocky shorelines and outside riverbends continue to produce some nice Walleye and sauger. Backtroll the upper sides of the wingdams with 3-way rigs and big minnows and you will catch some nice fish. Some anglers tossing crank baits on top of the wingdams and taking a few fish that way also.
The one fly in the ointment for this weekends fishing is that a fast moving weather system is expected to drop about an inch and a half of snow over the Midwest. This won't effect the angling but might make using those launch ramps an adventure in itself. With the cold temps, look for ice to form on these areas. So with that thought in mind, use caution when launching and again when leaving the ramp.
I'll tell you my friends, the fish are there and they are hungry. Dress warm, wear that PFD and you can enjoy some great Fall fishing that is happening right now on the beautiful Mississippi River here in the Midwest.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Sunday, November 2, 2014
MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING ONLY GETTING BETTER!!!!
Greetings All:
Wow!!! What a great weekend to be out on the Mississippi river doing some Fall fishing. Both Saturday and Sunday were windy but that only helped the fishing. I was out in Pool-13 both days and the bite was really consistent with many nice fish being caught. Best locations were the windblown points and steep tapering rocky shoreline areas way down river from the dam. It seems that Mother Natures wind served to blow baitfish into these areas and the walleye, sauger and some huge white bass were there to feed on them.
Presentation was quite simple. Casting jig/minnow rigs was productive but I switched to jig/plastic shad bodies in the 3 inch size range and that was the ticket for both days. The hot color both days was the silver sided bodies with the black stripe across the top back. The fish were just attacking this color. Also as a close second, all white, 1/4th. ounce hair jigs caught many fish also. Simply cast your presentation up close to the shore and work it back to deeper water. The fish are out there just waiting for it to swim by. Try and make long casts to avoid spooking the fish in these areas. Stay in deeper water and cast shallow.
Biggest fish of the weekend was a 10.6 pound Walleye that was released to fight again. Biggest white bass was close to 4 pounds, with limits of eater size fish available.
Remember, the water is cold so vary your retrieve until you find what speed of the lure the fish want.
Hope you can get out and enjoy this great fishing that is going on right now on the Mississippi River.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Wow!!! What a great weekend to be out on the Mississippi river doing some Fall fishing. Both Saturday and Sunday were windy but that only helped the fishing. I was out in Pool-13 both days and the bite was really consistent with many nice fish being caught. Best locations were the windblown points and steep tapering rocky shoreline areas way down river from the dam. It seems that Mother Natures wind served to blow baitfish into these areas and the walleye, sauger and some huge white bass were there to feed on them.
Presentation was quite simple. Casting jig/minnow rigs was productive but I switched to jig/plastic shad bodies in the 3 inch size range and that was the ticket for both days. The hot color both days was the silver sided bodies with the black stripe across the top back. The fish were just attacking this color. Also as a close second, all white, 1/4th. ounce hair jigs caught many fish also. Simply cast your presentation up close to the shore and work it back to deeper water. The fish are out there just waiting for it to swim by. Try and make long casts to avoid spooking the fish in these areas. Stay in deeper water and cast shallow.
Biggest fish of the weekend was a 10.6 pound Walleye that was released to fight again. Biggest white bass was close to 4 pounds, with limits of eater size fish available.
Remember, the water is cold so vary your retrieve until you find what speed of the lure the fish want.
Hope you can get out and enjoy this great fishing that is going on right now on the Mississippi River.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Monday, October 27, 2014
DOWNRIVER WALLEYE AND SAUGER BITE VERY GOOD RIGHT NOW!!!!
Greetings All;
It seems that this time of the year to many anglers get caught up in the tailwater bite below the dams and forget about the great fishing for Walleye and sauger that is available in many other locations down river. Right now the bite has been excellent down river in locations that very seldom see an angler wet a line. I have been fishing long wingdams and outside river bends and the fish are stacked up in these locations and feeding heavily for the upcoming Winter ahead. If you fish the wingdams, try and choose ones that are part of a series of wingdams. By that I mean two to three in a row within close proximity of each other. This has been the fish producing setup this last week with many big fish coming to the net. You will find both walleye and sauger using these areas right now. Three-way rigging has been very effective pulling big minnows parallel to the wingdam face. Expect to get hung up once in a while but that's where the fish are cruising looking for an easy meal. If you start getting short strikes, add a stinger hook.
When fishing the outside river bends, vertical jigging jig/minnow rigs over timber stacked on the bottom has worked very well and I look for this bite to continue. Use a slow lift and fall presentation, keeping bottom contact as the fish are holding tight to the wood and rocks there.
Remember my friends, all the fish are not up at the dam in the Fall. Many stay downriver and never see an anglers bait. Give these areas a try and you just might forget about the crowded Fall fishing up at the dam.
Be safe, wear that PFD and save a few for me...................
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
It seems that this time of the year to many anglers get caught up in the tailwater bite below the dams and forget about the great fishing for Walleye and sauger that is available in many other locations down river. Right now the bite has been excellent down river in locations that very seldom see an angler wet a line. I have been fishing long wingdams and outside river bends and the fish are stacked up in these locations and feeding heavily for the upcoming Winter ahead. If you fish the wingdams, try and choose ones that are part of a series of wingdams. By that I mean two to three in a row within close proximity of each other. This has been the fish producing setup this last week with many big fish coming to the net. You will find both walleye and sauger using these areas right now. Three-way rigging has been very effective pulling big minnows parallel to the wingdam face. Expect to get hung up once in a while but that's where the fish are cruising looking for an easy meal. If you start getting short strikes, add a stinger hook.
When fishing the outside river bends, vertical jigging jig/minnow rigs over timber stacked on the bottom has worked very well and I look for this bite to continue. Use a slow lift and fall presentation, keeping bottom contact as the fish are holding tight to the wood and rocks there.
Remember my friends, all the fish are not up at the dam in the Fall. Many stay downriver and never see an anglers bait. Give these areas a try and you just might forget about the crowded Fall fishing up at the dam.
Be safe, wear that PFD and save a few for me...................
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AND GREAT FISHING MAKE FOR A WONDERFUL FALL!!!
Greetings All;
Wow!!! What a great streak of wonderful weather we have been enjoying here in the Midwest. Cool temperatures and lots of sunshine are making for ideal conditions to be out fishing.
Right now all species have started putting on the feed bag for the long winter ahead. On the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Rock rivers, fishing is getting better on a daily basis. Look for the walleye and sauger to be feeding heavily on shad and minnows. Tailwater areas starting up and will only get better until ice up. For you panfish anglers, look for crappie staging in the many backwater areas near structure laying in the water. Try and fish structure that has some depth nearby for the crappie to use. Minnows and small jigs tipped with a small twister tail, (white has been a great color), cast near the structure and worked slowly back. Fish the minnows under a slip float rig for best results. Some big white bass still available on the big sand flat areas of the Mississippi on hair jigs cast tight to shore and worked back deep.
All and all my friends, Fall fishing on the area rivers is getting hotter by the day. Hopefully Mother Nature will keep blessing us with this great weather for a while yet before that other shoe comes down and Winter weather arrives.
So if you thinking about putting that boat away for the year, you just might want to squeeze another trip in before you do. I'm sure that when you come home with some nice fish for the frying pan, you'll be glad you did get out.
Enjoy the beauty of the Fall season. Get out and make some memories.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Wow!!! What a great streak of wonderful weather we have been enjoying here in the Midwest. Cool temperatures and lots of sunshine are making for ideal conditions to be out fishing.
Right now all species have started putting on the feed bag for the long winter ahead. On the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Rock rivers, fishing is getting better on a daily basis. Look for the walleye and sauger to be feeding heavily on shad and minnows. Tailwater areas starting up and will only get better until ice up. For you panfish anglers, look for crappie staging in the many backwater areas near structure laying in the water. Try and fish structure that has some depth nearby for the crappie to use. Minnows and small jigs tipped with a small twister tail, (white has been a great color), cast near the structure and worked slowly back. Fish the minnows under a slip float rig for best results. Some big white bass still available on the big sand flat areas of the Mississippi on hair jigs cast tight to shore and worked back deep.
All and all my friends, Fall fishing on the area rivers is getting hotter by the day. Hopefully Mother Nature will keep blessing us with this great weather for a while yet before that other shoe comes down and Winter weather arrives.
So if you thinking about putting that boat away for the year, you just might want to squeeze another trip in before you do. I'm sure that when you come home with some nice fish for the frying pan, you'll be glad you did get out.
Enjoy the beauty of the Fall season. Get out and make some memories.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
FALL WALLEYE AND SAUGER ON THE BITE!!!
Greetings All:
The cool temperatures combined with the cool rains we have had here in the Midwest have really turned the walleye and sauger bite on. On the Mississippi River from above Dubuque, Iowa all the way up to Lake Pepin, fishing for these two species has greatly improved. Current water temperatures in the 50's has the fish putting on the feed bag.
For you river anglers, one of the current hot-spots has been Guttenberg, Iowa in the tailwater areas. Many nice fish are being taken there on jig/minnow rigs fished tight to the bottom in current break areas. Further North, one of my personal Fall favorite river locations is North of the Winona, Minnesota area. It seems that the farther south you go, the fishing is not quite as good. Fish are available but not biting as well as the up North Pools of the river.
I still look for a great Fall fishing season on the Mississippi River with good classes of fish available to the angler willing to get out. Unless Mother Nature does something dramatic in the weather department, look for this quality fishing to last into ice up.
Hope you can get some time to get out and enjoy. Good luck and go make some memories.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
The cool temperatures combined with the cool rains we have had here in the Midwest have really turned the walleye and sauger bite on. On the Mississippi River from above Dubuque, Iowa all the way up to Lake Pepin, fishing for these two species has greatly improved. Current water temperatures in the 50's has the fish putting on the feed bag.
For you river anglers, one of the current hot-spots has been Guttenberg, Iowa in the tailwater areas. Many nice fish are being taken there on jig/minnow rigs fished tight to the bottom in current break areas. Further North, one of my personal Fall favorite river locations is North of the Winona, Minnesota area. It seems that the farther south you go, the fishing is not quite as good. Fish are available but not biting as well as the up North Pools of the river.
I still look for a great Fall fishing season on the Mississippi River with good classes of fish available to the angler willing to get out. Unless Mother Nature does something dramatic in the weather department, look for this quality fishing to last into ice up.
Hope you can get some time to get out and enjoy. Good luck and go make some memories.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
BIG WHITE BASS AVAILABLE NOW!!!
Greetings All:
I just love October. Why?, well it's because of the great white bass fishing that takes place every year. Right now on the Mississippi river in the Pool-13 area the big white bass are feeding heavily. This past week I have taken many fish in the 3 t 4 pound range with regularity. Best part is that the great action will continue through the month of October baring any drastic weather changes. Catching these bruisers this time of the year is quite easy.
I have been casting 1/4th. ounce all white hair jigs and have been fishing large sand flat areas. Cast tight to shore and work back into deeper water. You can tip your jig with a plastic trailer if you like but so far it has not been necessary. When you get into a school of these big fish you can load your livewell quickly. One tip though. If your fishing an area and no action in 10 to 15 minutes or so, move to another area till fish found.
I'll tell you my friends, right now is a great time to be on the Mississippi River fishing for these aggressive white bass. With that thought in mind, hopefully you can get out and enjoy. You'll be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
I just love October. Why?, well it's because of the great white bass fishing that takes place every year. Right now on the Mississippi river in the Pool-13 area the big white bass are feeding heavily. This past week I have taken many fish in the 3 t 4 pound range with regularity. Best part is that the great action will continue through the month of October baring any drastic weather changes. Catching these bruisers this time of the year is quite easy.
I have been casting 1/4th. ounce all white hair jigs and have been fishing large sand flat areas. Cast tight to shore and work back into deeper water. You can tip your jig with a plastic trailer if you like but so far it has not been necessary. When you get into a school of these big fish you can load your livewell quickly. One tip though. If your fishing an area and no action in 10 to 15 minutes or so, move to another area till fish found.
I'll tell you my friends, right now is a great time to be on the Mississippi River fishing for these aggressive white bass. With that thought in mind, hopefully you can get out and enjoy. You'll be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Saturday, September 27, 2014
MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN GREAT SHAPE FOR WEEKEND FISHING!!!
Greetings All:
River levels have fallen back to very fishable levels and the fish are responding. With the cooler nights, the water temps have dropped into the 60's also. Look for the sauger and walleye bite to be starting up near the dams. Panfish feeding well near structure in slough and side channels. Catfish bite still good but look for it to start slowing as water temps drop more. Right now as a bonus, there are some really big white bass showing up and I look for this great bite to last well into October. Fish sand flat areas and rocky shorelines for best results. This last week, a white hair jig in the 1/4th. ounce size has been hot when cast. You can tip it with a minnow or plastic tail if you wish but it has not been necessary. Look for some of these big white bass to tip the scales near 4lbs.
Weather looking great so get out and fish the Mississippi river. You will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
River levels have fallen back to very fishable levels and the fish are responding. With the cooler nights, the water temps have dropped into the 60's also. Look for the sauger and walleye bite to be starting up near the dams. Panfish feeding well near structure in slough and side channels. Catfish bite still good but look for it to start slowing as water temps drop more. Right now as a bonus, there are some really big white bass showing up and I look for this great bite to last well into October. Fish sand flat areas and rocky shorelines for best results. This last week, a white hair jig in the 1/4th. ounce size has been hot when cast. You can tip it with a minnow or plastic tail if you wish but it has not been necessary. Look for some of these big white bass to tip the scales near 4lbs.
Weather looking great so get out and fish the Mississippi river. You will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
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