Greetings All:
Just a quick note to let you all know that the current ice fishing conditions here in the Midwest are great. Lots of fish available to the anglers going out. On the Mississippi River, backwater areas producing all species. Lots of nice panfish and some big northern on tip ups.
Hot fishing also available in farm ponds for many different species. Good ice is still available but keep in mind that with the temperature forecast in the 50s this coming week the ice conditions will get very slushy and start to deteriorate quickly. Keep in mind that in areas with current under the ice this will happen even faster.
Note: I look for the Mississippi river to open quickly if the weather man is correct and the warm temperatures forecast the next few weeks occur.
Enjoy the remainder if the ice fishing season while the safe ice is still plentiful. It has been a great season but I am looking forward to the great open water season that is just around the corner.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, March 6, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
GREAT ICE ANGLING CONTINUES ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!
Greetings all;
Just a quick update to let you all know that the great ice fishing in the backwater areas of the Mississippi River continues to be hot. Anglers all up and down the river from Lake Pepin to the North down to New Boston Illinois are enjoying safe ice conditions and lots of hungry fish. Excellent populations of panfish are available along with some banner northern fishing. The real sleeper fish this season has been the explosion of perch that are being caught all up and down the different river pools. Lots of quality eater sized perch are being caught on minnows and also larvae type baits. Also some good crappie action available in backwater areas near deadfalls in the water. Bluegill action continues to be good fishing the weedlines. When starting your search in these backwater areas, look for the deepest water available and start your search there.
With the excellent ice that has been available, this ice fishing season has been an excellent time to get out and explore those many backwater areas the Mississippi River has to offer.
Be safe on the ice, wear that PFD and save a few for me........
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Just a quick update to let you all know that the great ice fishing in the backwater areas of the Mississippi River continues to be hot. Anglers all up and down the river from Lake Pepin to the North down to New Boston Illinois are enjoying safe ice conditions and lots of hungry fish. Excellent populations of panfish are available along with some banner northern fishing. The real sleeper fish this season has been the explosion of perch that are being caught all up and down the different river pools. Lots of quality eater sized perch are being caught on minnows and also larvae type baits. Also some good crappie action available in backwater areas near deadfalls in the water. Bluegill action continues to be good fishing the weedlines. When starting your search in these backwater areas, look for the deepest water available and start your search there.
With the excellent ice that has been available, this ice fishing season has been an excellent time to get out and explore those many backwater areas the Mississippi River has to offer.
Be safe on the ice, wear that PFD and save a few for me........
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BACKWATER FISHING GREAT!!!
Greetings All:
With the amount of good ice we now have here along the Mississippi River the ice fishing is in full swing. Many backwater areas are producing excellent catches of both panfish and Northern. In Pool-13, the Browns Lake area located near Green Island, Iowa has had some steady crappie action in the afternoon hours into dark. Small minnows and wax worms have been the preferred baits. Further downriver in the Sabula, Iowa lakes area you will find a good mixed bag of fish coming in. Some nice slab crappie have been taken along with numerous big bluegill. As a bonus, don't be surprised if you hook into one of the many nice Northern that are cruising under the ice.
With this extreme cold we are experiencing as of today, the coming weekend forecast has temperatures moderating into the upper 20's, near 30 which will make for some great conditions to be out on the ice. Hopefully if you like to ice fish you can get out and enjoy some of the great ice fishing that I mentioned.
Note: Other Mississippi River Pools further North are also experiencing some good action. Best is to call ahead to a local bait shop in the area you intend to fish. With that said, Good Luck and great Fishing!!!!!!
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the amount of good ice we now have here along the Mississippi River the ice fishing is in full swing. Many backwater areas are producing excellent catches of both panfish and Northern. In Pool-13, the Browns Lake area located near Green Island, Iowa has had some steady crappie action in the afternoon hours into dark. Small minnows and wax worms have been the preferred baits. Further downriver in the Sabula, Iowa lakes area you will find a good mixed bag of fish coming in. Some nice slab crappie have been taken along with numerous big bluegill. As a bonus, don't be surprised if you hook into one of the many nice Northern that are cruising under the ice.
With this extreme cold we are experiencing as of today, the coming weekend forecast has temperatures moderating into the upper 20's, near 30 which will make for some great conditions to be out on the ice. Hopefully if you like to ice fish you can get out and enjoy some of the great ice fishing that I mentioned.
Note: Other Mississippi River Pools further North are also experiencing some good action. Best is to call ahead to a local bait shop in the area you intend to fish. With that said, Good Luck and great Fishing!!!!!!
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Saturday, February 7, 2015
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS FISHING GOING ON!!!
Greetings All:
Both fishing the open water below the dam in Bellevue on the Mississippi River or exploring the backwater areas and ice fishing, you can enjoy some great action going on now.
Backwater areas still have safe ice although the melt off that happened today will make for slushy conditions, good panfish action is available. Use small baits for the bluegill near the edges of old weed beds and small minnows for those crappie near deadfalls laying in the water. Best time for the crappie has been late afternoon into dusk.
For you folks looking for open water, good sauger action happening in tailwater area on jig/minnow rigs fished vertical. I have been having excellent luck fishing a 1/4th. ounce bucktail jig and tipping it with a short piece of plastic worm. You can fish this with or without a minnow. Keep it on or near the bottom for best results and fish it slow.
Right now the best of both fishing worlds is happening on the Mississippi River. Hopefully you can make some time to get out and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Both fishing the open water below the dam in Bellevue on the Mississippi River or exploring the backwater areas and ice fishing, you can enjoy some great action going on now.
Backwater areas still have safe ice although the melt off that happened today will make for slushy conditions, good panfish action is available. Use small baits for the bluegill near the edges of old weed beds and small minnows for those crappie near deadfalls laying in the water. Best time for the crappie has been late afternoon into dusk.
For you folks looking for open water, good sauger action happening in tailwater area on jig/minnow rigs fished vertical. I have been having excellent luck fishing a 1/4th. ounce bucktail jig and tipping it with a short piece of plastic worm. You can fish this with or without a minnow. Keep it on or near the bottom for best results and fish it slow.
Right now the best of both fishing worlds is happening on the Mississippi River. Hopefully you can make some time to get out and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Monday, February 2, 2015
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS HAVE PUT ANGLING ON HOLD!!!
Greetings All:
The big blizzard that rolled through the Iowa, Illinois Midwest has put a halt to folks going out fishing.
With up to 15 inches of new snow from this storm of yesterday, most traveling to areas to fish is not advised.
For you folks chomping at the bit for some safe ice fishing, I'm afraid that with the heavy snowcover acting as a blanket, those lakes and farm pond that were iffy to start with as far as safe ice have become even more dangerous. If you do decide to venture out in the next few days as the roads clear, use extreme caution when walking out onto the ice. You cannot see what is below the snow and that is not good.
For you folks that have been fishing the tailwater areas of the Mississippi river like I have, this storm is just a bump in the road. The open water in the tailwaters continues to have excellent fishing available for bis sauger and Walleye. The big problem is finding a place to launch your boat. Some cities with launch ramps try to keep them open, but with other snow duties going on this is not a priority. Best bet is to call ahead to the area you intend to fish and find out if the ramps are available to launch.
Which ever form of fishing you choose, just be very careful out there. Even though it's Winter, wear that PFD when venturing out on both the ice and also in the open tailwater areas. Safety is always number one.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
The big blizzard that rolled through the Iowa, Illinois Midwest has put a halt to folks going out fishing.
With up to 15 inches of new snow from this storm of yesterday, most traveling to areas to fish is not advised.
For you folks chomping at the bit for some safe ice fishing, I'm afraid that with the heavy snowcover acting as a blanket, those lakes and farm pond that were iffy to start with as far as safe ice have become even more dangerous. If you do decide to venture out in the next few days as the roads clear, use extreme caution when walking out onto the ice. You cannot see what is below the snow and that is not good.
For you folks that have been fishing the tailwater areas of the Mississippi river like I have, this storm is just a bump in the road. The open water in the tailwaters continues to have excellent fishing available for bis sauger and Walleye. The big problem is finding a place to launch your boat. Some cities with launch ramps try to keep them open, but with other snow duties going on this is not a priority. Best bet is to call ahead to the area you intend to fish and find out if the ramps are available to launch.
Which ever form of fishing you choose, just be very careful out there. Even though it's Winter, wear that PFD when venturing out on both the ice and also in the open tailwater areas. Safety is always number one.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, January 16, 2015
MIDWEST ICE FISHING IN FULL SWING!!!
Greetings all:
The ice fishing here in the Midwest is going strong. With lots of safe ice to explore, the ice anglers are having a ball.
Top choices right now would still be those farm ponds and smaller lakes that contain panfish. Look for good crappie and bluegill action happening in the late afternoon and continuing into dark. For the bluegill, small larvae baits such as spikes and mousies doing well. Use a small 1/100th. ounce ice jigs or wet flys tipped with bait and you will catch fish. For those crappie, waxworms and small crappie minnows are doing the trick.
For you anglers in areas with frozen river backwaters, look for some decent action going on there also for panfish. As a bonus, some great northern pike action is going on using tip ups baited with frozen smelt.
I'll tell you folks, with a great weather forecast for this coming weekend on tap, I hope you can get out for a few hours and enjoy some of the great ice fishing that is happening in the Midwest right now.
Be safe, wear that PFD and enjoy all mother Nature has to offer. At the end of the day, you will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
The ice fishing here in the Midwest is going strong. With lots of safe ice to explore, the ice anglers are having a ball.
Top choices right now would still be those farm ponds and smaller lakes that contain panfish. Look for good crappie and bluegill action happening in the late afternoon and continuing into dark. For the bluegill, small larvae baits such as spikes and mousies doing well. Use a small 1/100th. ounce ice jigs or wet flys tipped with bait and you will catch fish. For those crappie, waxworms and small crappie minnows are doing the trick.
For you anglers in areas with frozen river backwaters, look for some decent action going on there also for panfish. As a bonus, some great northern pike action is going on using tip ups baited with frozen smelt.
I'll tell you folks, with a great weather forecast for this coming weekend on tap, I hope you can get out for a few hours and enjoy some of the great ice fishing that is happening in the Midwest right now.
Be safe, wear that PFD and enjoy all mother Nature has to offer. At the end of the day, you will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Monday, January 12, 2015
FARM POND ICE FISHING IS "RED HOT"!!!!
Greetings All:
Finally with some good safe ice available, those of us that love to ice fish can get out and enjoy.
Right now here in the Midwest the hottest bite going is in those many farm ponds that dot the countryside. Good panfish action is going on for anglers looking for both crappie and bluegill. Depending on what species are stocked in the pond you are fishing you can really have a ball catching fish.
I have been having the best luck using small larvae type baits like spikes or wax worms. Small jigs tipped with these morsels have been really producing well.
For you crappie purists, bring along some small minnows for the big slabs.
Remember, right now the fish are located in deeper water so start your search there. I have been using my underwater camera and find it really neat to locate the fish holding areas. It's also a rush to see that fish come up and hammer your offering. Almost like playing a video game.
So hopefully you have that ice fishing equipment ready to go and can get out to enjoy some great farm pond action. With a warmup forecast for this week, look for some great weather to get out and drill a few holes. With that said, be safe and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Finally with some good safe ice available, those of us that love to ice fish can get out and enjoy.
Right now here in the Midwest the hottest bite going is in those many farm ponds that dot the countryside. Good panfish action is going on for anglers looking for both crappie and bluegill. Depending on what species are stocked in the pond you are fishing you can really have a ball catching fish.
I have been having the best luck using small larvae type baits like spikes or wax worms. Small jigs tipped with these morsels have been really producing well.
For you crappie purists, bring along some small minnows for the big slabs.
Remember, right now the fish are located in deeper water so start your search there. I have been using my underwater camera and find it really neat to locate the fish holding areas. It's also a rush to see that fish come up and hammer your offering. Almost like playing a video game.
So hopefully you have that ice fishing equipment ready to go and can get out to enjoy some great farm pond action. With a warmup forecast for this week, look for some great weather to get out and drill a few holes. With that said, be safe and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, December 26, 2014
AFTER CHRISTMAS RIVER BONANZA!!!
Greetings All:
Well, here we are the day after Christmas 2014 and the Mississippi River is open and providing some truly memorable fishing. Normally this time of the year the river is locked in ice and we are doing our fishing through a hole. Not this year though.
Was out today with the mild temps and the walleye and sauger bite was great. Was fishing 3' and 4" plastic shad bodies in the fast water up at the dam in Pool-12. Long casts into the fast water coming thru the gates of the dam produced the most fish. A 3/8th. ounce jig was used and the shad body was attached to that. For this fishing I was using a long 7 1/2 foot rod so long casts were easy. Toss that shad body right in that fast water, hold your rod high and let the bait move down river with the fast current. Keep a tight line and hold on. The fish are hitting this presentation very hard as it leaves the turbulent water area.
Best colors have been the black back with silver sides bodies. Note: Dependent on current, you may be able to start with a 1/4th. ounce jig. This is something you will have to experiment with in the water you are fishing.
Hopefully before Mother Nature decides to drop her other shoe and bring Winter you can get out and enjoy the great Mississippi River bite that is happening right now in an open Pool near you.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, here we are the day after Christmas 2014 and the Mississippi River is open and providing some truly memorable fishing. Normally this time of the year the river is locked in ice and we are doing our fishing through a hole. Not this year though.
Was out today with the mild temps and the walleye and sauger bite was great. Was fishing 3' and 4" plastic shad bodies in the fast water up at the dam in Pool-12. Long casts into the fast water coming thru the gates of the dam produced the most fish. A 3/8th. ounce jig was used and the shad body was attached to that. For this fishing I was using a long 7 1/2 foot rod so long casts were easy. Toss that shad body right in that fast water, hold your rod high and let the bait move down river with the fast current. Keep a tight line and hold on. The fish are hitting this presentation very hard as it leaves the turbulent water area.
Best colors have been the black back with silver sides bodies. Note: Dependent on current, you may be able to start with a 1/4th. ounce jig. This is something you will have to experiment with in the water you are fishing.
Hopefully before Mother Nature decides to drop her other shoe and bring Winter you can get out and enjoy the great Mississippi River bite that is happening right now in an open Pool near you.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
WITH WINTER HOLDING OFF, THE GREAT RIVER BITE CONTINUES!!!
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
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
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
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