WEEKEND FISHING UPDATE!!

 Greetings All:

Well, finally some more tolerable weekend temperatures to get out and enjoy some fishing. Look for some decent bass action in the Mississippi river backwaters on plastics. Problem is that with the low water conditions, getting into those backwaters might prove difficult. 

Catfish action on main river good, fish the long wingdams from the middle out to the channel area. Dip baits working well. 
For you panfish anglers, look for bluegills on the deep edges of the weeds. Small baits are working the best fished under a slip float rig. Be sure to use light line for the panfish.

Good luck this weekend, be safe on the river and save a few for me........

Regards:  lastcast    Mike Cyze    lastcast13@yahoo.com

BEATING THE HEAT IN CANADA WITH SOME "HOT FISHING"!!!

Greetings All:
Just returned from a nice, relaxing trip to the Canadian Bush. Fishing was excellent and the weather was also. Nice cool days had the fish on the bite. Many walleye over 5lbs. with a few near 10. Northerns in the 20 lb. range were common with some much bigger. 

As always, one of the highlights of my Canadian trips is the great shore lunches. Fresh caught fish freshly fried on an open fire with some beans and fries potatoes and onions made for some great eating. There is something special about a Canadian fishing trip that I will always love. If you have never been there, make plans to go and enjoy. You will love it. 

I will be doing some Canadian fishing trips through my radio show on ESPN. For more information, E-mail me at: lastcast13@yahoo.com.

Regards:  Lastcast      Mike Cyze    lastcast13@yahoo.com. 

GREAT WHITE BASS ACTION EARLY ON POOLS 12 & 13!!!

Greetings All:
Well, if you can get up early and get out on the river, you can enjoy some great white bass action before the Sun cooks you. I have been hitting the sandy flat areas of pools 12 & 13 and have been catching some really big white bass. Fish over 3 pounds are the norm. Fan cast those sand flat areas with white hair jigs in the 1/4th ounce size for starters, casting towards shore and bringing the jig back to deeper water with an erratic style retrieve. Try and let the jig fall to the contour of the bottom, meaning let it slowly fall into deeper water as you retrieve it. 

You can also use 4" plastic twister tails or plastic shad bodies with good results but hair jigs are working the best. 
Once the Sun is up, the fish drop back into deeper water locations until the evening hours when they once again go on a feed. 

So beat the heat and get out very early. When you get into a school of these savage fighters you will fill your livewell fast. 

Regards:  Lastcast       Mike Cyze    lastcast13@yahoo.com 

BEWARE OF MINERAL LOSS!!!

When hot weather arrives in the intensity we have been experiencing, most folks just talk about drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated. Well folks, there is another thing you should be concerned with. I'm talking about the loss of minerals from your body, mainly salt. Salt is a vital part of our makeup and you lose it with sweat. Have you ever had on a dark T-Shirt and after taking it off when you have been sweating you see those white ring deposits on the shirt? Well, that's salt your body has lost. It's very important that if your going to be outdoors and sweating that you replenish that vital salt to the body.
You can go to your local pharmacy and purchase salt pills. They are very inexpensive and will work well by following the instructions. If not sure, ask the pharmacist.


I'll tell you folks, besides drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated, make sure you add that important salt back into your body. You'll be glad you did and you will feel much better.


Regards: Lastcast       Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

NIGHT FISHING PAYING OFF WITH BIG CATCHES!!!

Greetings All:
As I posted earlier, all my fishing during this spell of very hot weather has been at night. I have been heading out after dark and the fish have been cooperating. My trips have mainly taken me into the backwater areas of the Mississippi River and the catfishing has been truly excellent with many big fish along with many eaters coming to the boat. Using G&S Cheesebait on my dip worm that is suspended under a slip float has been deadly. The catfish are hitting the bait on the run which makes for a really heavy duty strike. If you try this method, make sure your rods are securely in a rod holder. If not, the fish might just yank it overboard. Also leave your reels bail open so that the fish can take line out. During this hot weather you can still enjoy some truly great fishing away from the hot Sun. Just head out after sunset and you will discover a whole different world in the backwaters. Now is a great time to try it with the help of the full Moon, seeing is much easier. 
The catfish are hungry so go get a few for the frying pan, you'll be glad you did.


Regards:  Lastcast    Mike Cyze      lastcast13@yahoo.com

EXTREME HEAT MEANS NIGHT TIME FISHING!!

Greetings All;
With the very extreme heat covering the Midwest and very high humidity, daytime angling is  not advised at this time. High heat warning have been posted and it is a very dangerous situation out there. As I write this, outdoor temps are exceeding the 100 degree range. If you have to be outdoors, try to limit the time spent there and be sure to stay very hydrated by drinking a lot of water. 


Due to this excessive heat wave, I have been limiting all my angling to the night time hours. Even though it is still hot, the Sun is not beating down on you and the humidity is much more bearable.

The good news is that the night bite has been great. Lots of beautiful catfish coming in along with a few panfish. The catfish are the ones that will keep you busy. Fish those snag and deadfall areas with your dipbaits and you will be very successful.  Remember, catfish roam at night much more that day.

One thing to remember about night fishing, no matter how well you think you know the area, just remember it will look very different at night. Travel slowly and use caution in your navigation. Also, make sure you tell someone where you are heading so that they know where to look should you get in a jam. I'll tell you folks, right now is the time do do your angling during the cooler night time hours. I'm quite sure you will not only stay cooler, but you might just catch the catfish of your life.

Be safe, wear that PFD and save a few for me.  

Regards:  Lastcast,   Mike Cyze    lastcast13@yahoo.com

LOOK FOR RISING WATER LEVELS AGAIN ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!

Greetings All:
With the huge rains of 10" plus up in Minnesota around the Duluth area and areas South,  look for all that water to start making it's way down river and causing water levels to rise quite a bit. This rise will be a fast rise so be alert as to what conditions are before heading out. Best bet for fishing is to head into the many backwaters and side sloughs for some great angling action. The rise in water will turn the fish on to a good bite. Look for excellent catfish, bass and also panfish to be biting. 
Don't forget to wear that PFD when on the river. Strong currents can be very dangerous if you should happen to fall in. Always tell someone what area of the river you are planning on fishing so that they have an idea where you are headed, just in case you have a motor or boat malfunction occur.


Don't let the high water scare you off, just be safe and use common sense when on the water.


Regards: Lastcast,    Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com

CANADIAN TRIP A REAL WINNER!!!!

Greetings All:
Just returned today from a few days up in the Great Canadian Bush Country. Fishing was truly excellent with many fish coming in. Big Northern up to 28 lbs., giant walleye with a 5 lb. average and some great lake trout action also. Weather was nice, a few showers but nothing to worry about. The bugs were out in force though when there was no breeze. 
Was able to enjoy one of my favorite things to do when in Canada. I'm talking about shore lunch. Fresh caught walleye fillets, baked beans and fried potatoes and onions all made over an open fire. What a way to enjoy a wonderful meal. Float plane flights were great also with beautiful scenery from the cockpit. If you have never been to the wilds of Canada, try and plan a trip. The fishing and scenery are amazingly breath taking. If you need tips on Canada and great remote locations to head to, drop me an e-mail at: lastcast13@yahoo.com. 

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze    lastcast13@yahoo.com

FATHERS DAY 2012 LOOKING GOOD FOR BEING OUTDOORS!!!

Greetings All:
 Well, looks like the rain in the forecast for Saturday will exit the area overnight making for a great looking Fathers Day Sunday 2012. Hopefully you have some plans to spend time with your Dad if possible and show him you appreciate all he has done for you over the years. 

If your looking to get out on the Mississippi River to do some fishing, make it a point to get into those backwaters for some great angling action. Both bass and catfish fishing is excellent at this time. For the bass, use plastics such as worms or lizards cast near structure in the water. You can also work the edges of the many weed beds that are there. For the catfish, get yourself a good dip bait like G&S Cheesebait and fish the upstream side of snags and dead-falls laying in the water. Give that dip bait a chance to work and you will get some nice, eater size catfish to take home for a meal. 

One thing, bring water to drink. The weather is hot and you can become dehydrated very fast if you are not drinking water. Forget the beer, drink water. You will stay nice and fresh. Also, for those fish you catch, bring an ice chest full of ice and get the fish on the ice as soon as possible after catching them. This will insure they stay nice and fresh for eating. 

In closing, HAPPY FATHERS DAY 2012 to all you Dad's out there and on a personal note, HAPPY FATHERS DAY to my own Dad. Thanks "Pop's" for all you thought me in life, it is never forgotten,,, till we meet again.

Regards:  Lastcast     Mike Cyze       lastcast13@yahoo.com

RISE IN WATER LEVELS REJUVENATING BACKWATER AREAS!!

Greetings All:
Well, with the rise in water levels from pools 9 through 14 from the recent rains up North, the backwater areas are getting a much needed shot of fresh, oxygenated water and the fish are loving it. This fresh water has turned the catfish and also the panfish on and the bite is excellent. 
Excellent crappie action in pools 10-11 & 13 with many slabs coming in. for you catfish anglers, the good fishing has become excellent fishing. Bass fishing is also excellent in the side slough and backwater areas on plastics. It's amazing how this influx of fresh water has transformed the stagnant backwater areas into great fisheries. It's like getting a much needed shot in the arm for the fish. 

As long as the water stays up, look for continued good fishing off the main river in these beautiful backwater areas. I was out last evening and hit the hat-trick, crappie, bass and nice catfish all were caught.

If your heading out on the Mississippi River fishing, plan on trying the backwaters in the pools I mentioned. You won't be disappointed.

Regards:   Lastcast        Mike Cyze        lastcast13@yahoo.com