VERY LOW RIVER LEVELS TO CAUSE PROBLEMS AHEAD!!

Greetings All:


Just a month or so ago the Mississippi River was over it's banks. Well, now we are at near record lows in water levels. Not good if this continues into the Winter season . Hopefully the levels will rise a bit again so that major fish kills do not happen this year. River as of this report near 5 feet below where it should be. Lots of exposed structure and shallow areas. In fact, some barge traffic unable to move further South on river due to low water conditions. Lets hope Mother Nature gives us the moisture needed to return levels to normal.


Good Fall striper action starting up on pools 12-13 & 14. It's only going to get better as season moves on into October. Stop back for latest bite information.


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

TIME TO GET OUT TO THE RANGE!!!

Hello All:
Before long bird hunting will be upon us. With that in mind I will also start including flyway reports on the ducks and geese here at Lastcastoutdoors.  Also, this is the time to get out and shoot some skeet or trap to get that rust off from last year. You will be surprised at just how rusty you can become without constant practice. So with that thought in mind, time to hit the range and shoot a few boxes. 


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

FALL IS IN THE AIR!!!

Greetings All:


Well, Fall is in the air here in the Midwest. As I type this it is a nippy 38 degrees outside along the Mississippi River. Great news though is that the fishing is starting to get really good as waters cool. From now through October, look for those giant white bass to go on a feeding binge. I have been getting more and more each day with many big fish available.
You bass anglers should hit the backwaters for some late season action. Lots of nice available.


Walleye and sauger anglers, they are still scattered out with some here and there. Look for the bite to inprove with the on-set of cooler weather. You catfish anglers don't give up yet. Still lots of good action in backwaters on dip baits. As water cools, change over to cut baits for best results. I will let you know when that happens.
You panfish anglers, nice crappie starting in back sloughs on minnows. Fish not schooled tight yet so a little moving around is required. Bluegill action near green weeds best with small larvae baits. Weeds will start dying off soon so only fish still green weeds. 


Look for a great Fall on the river with lots of great fishing action. If you need more info, e-mail me at: lastcast13@yahoo.com.  


Good luck and GREAT fishing:   Lastcast,,,,,,Mike Cyze

LABOR DAY ANGLING LOOKING GOOD!!!

Greetings All:
Well, here we are fast approaching the last holiday of the Summer season. With that in mind, fishing on the Mississippi River looks good. Mainly a panfish and catfish bite going on but lots of action to keep you busy. 


Use dip baits for the catfish near snag areas for best results. If no action in 10 to 15 minutes, move to another location and try again. When you find the cats you will know it quickly.   For the panfish, small minnow for crappie, larvae baits for bluegills. Look for deep water near deadfalls in backwaters for the crappie, fish weed edges for the gills.  For you bass anglers, use topwater frogs and also plastic warms for some good bass action in backwaters also. Early and late in day best for bass with late holding the edge in strikes.


All in all, have yourself a wonderful holiday weekend and enjoy some excellent fishing. Loot for a great upcoming Fall fishing season also. Stay tuned here for current updates as fishing gets hot for the cool weather season.


Regards:  LastCast,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze

WEEKEND FISHING LOOKING GOOD!!!

Greetings All:
Look for some good action this weekend on the Mississippi. Excellent catfish on dip baits in backwaters and side sloughs. Nice bass action on topwater frogs in pad fields. Panfish scattered, crappie here and there, gills on weed bed edges. On main river, some really nice stripers showing up on steep tapering sandy banks that get deep fast. Early and late best for stripers. Use a white 1/4th or 1/8th ounce hair jig for great results.


Enjoy yourself and save a few for me!!!


Regards: Lastcast,,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze

RIVER STILL A MESS!!

Greetings All:
Well, the Mississippi is still a mess in pools 12 & 13 with high, dirty water the norm. Lots of floating debris making angling tough. Best bet is get into those backwaters and fish for some nice catfish using stink baits.


Look for river to slowly start returning to normal if forecast rain is not to heavy again. All in all, get out and give it a try,,,it still beats cutting the grass!!!


Good Luck and Enjoy:    Lastcast,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze   

BACK AT LAST!!!

Greetings All:
Finally back after multiple fly-in trips to Canada doing some filming. Lots of fish and bug bites also.


Mississippi river bad shape here in Tri-States area with 13.45 inches of rain in Dubuque area in just 10 hours on Wednesday night. River is very high and very dirty. Good time to get those Honey-Do jobs done and put off fishing till river clears up.
Glad to be back, lets hope for stable weather.


lastcast,,,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze

HOLIDAY WEEKEND FISHING OUTLOOK!!!

Well, here we are into the 4th of July Holiday weekend. Seems like Summer is going way toooooo fast. I have coined this the "Bummer Summer of 2011".
For you folks heading out this weekend to fish, look for excellent cat fish action in side sloughs and backwaters. Fish near snags and deadfalls in the deepest water you can find. Use that stink bait and re-bait often to fill the area with scent. 
You bass anglers should do well using spinnerbaits rolled slow just under the surface in backwaters. Use loud blades for best results. 


Panfish are scattered and water visibilty hampering catching them.  Some nice big stripers on flooded sand flat areas on jig/twister rigs.


Have a great holiday weekend and be safe out there.            

GOD BLESS AMERICAN!!!!!!!!     GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!!!!


Regards:   Lastcast,,,,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze

MUDDY WATER HERE AGAIN!!!

Greetings All:
Well, go figure, just in time for the weekend the very muddy water is here. As of this morning, river visibility about 3" max. Terrible conditions for fish to see your presentation. One good thing though is the catfish are biting on "Stink" baits. They can feed by smell and in this water they will sure need it. Nice cats available in backwaters and sloughs near snags laying in at least 4 feet of water. 


Most other species are tough right now. Looks like it will take a bit for river to clear up again.


Whatever your plans are for the weekend, a day on the river sure beats cutting the grass!!!  Enjoy.


Lastcast,,,Mike Cyze          lastcast13@yahoo.com

CLEAR WATER CRAPPIE ACTION GETTING HOT!!!

Greetings All:
Was out checking backwater areas in pools 12 & 13. Found some areas with very clear and clean water and the big crappie were loving it. They were holding in 4 to 6 feet of water near deadfalls with green leaves on them. Caught majority of fish on a small 1/16th ounce hair jig. Used 4 lb. test ling and an ultralight rod. Easy to cast and fish not spooked by the light line. Look for crappie action to continue good in these types of clear water areas. You will have to do some searching to locate them but it is worth the effort.


Good Luck & Enjoy The Moment!!!           Last cast,,,,,,,,,,Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com