Greetings All:
With the recent rains, run off from the snow up North and a rising Mississippi River, the Spring fishing has really taken a big hit. From Lake Pepin down the Mississippi is a churned up mess. With flood warnings in many areas the river levels will take a bit of time to subside before we can once again expect to see a decent bite occurring.
Some fish are available in the backwater areas for those anglers that are willing to get out and fight the tough conditions. Look for some panfish available near deadfalls in the water. Crappie and some bluegill are starting to bite but water visibility is hampering their ability to find your bait.
On the main river, fishing is at a standstill with the fast current, dirty water and floating junk. If your chomping at the bit to get out right now, head for some of the many farm ponds here in the Midwest that are starting to come alive with a good panfish bite. Keep in mind though that even these are somewhat dirty from all the rains and wind.
In closing, once the weather settles down a bit, don't let the high water scare you. The fish are out there, it's just up to you to find them. Get into those follded backwater areas and find your own hot spot and you will have a ball.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
VERY HEAVY RAINS HAMPERING THE MISSISSIPPI BITE!!!
Greetings:
Well, with the very heavy rains that moved through the Midwest last night, (over 4" in some areas), the Mississippi River is rising and very dirty from run off. Look for the fishing to be slow until the water clears up and the levels stabilize.
Right now the cleanest water is in the backwater areas but even there it is rising and getting very stained.
So if you are planning a trip soon, call ahead first and check water conditions. The bite was doing well but this round of heavy rains has put a stop to it for a while.
Be safe folks and enjoy the great outdoors, it's right outside your back door.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, with the very heavy rains that moved through the Midwest last night, (over 4" in some areas), the Mississippi River is rising and very dirty from run off. Look for the fishing to be slow until the water clears up and the levels stabilize.
Right now the cleanest water is in the backwater areas but even there it is rising and getting very stained.
So if you are planning a trip soon, call ahead first and check water conditions. The bite was doing well but this round of heavy rains has put a stop to it for a while.
Be safe folks and enjoy the great outdoors, it's right outside your back door.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 10, 2014
COLD WATER CAT'S BITING!!!
Greetings:
For those of you that like catfish, there is a nice bite going on in the backwater areas of the Mississippi. Right now those hungry catfish are feeding on dead fish that have sunk to the bottom in these areas. These are the dead shad and other fish that were frozen in the ice during the Winter and now have sunk down. Look for areas of dark bottom bays and sloughs and fish in fairly shallow water. Try and scan the shorelines for dead fish on the bottom and you will have found a good spot.
I have been using fresh smelt from the grocery store and have been catching some really nice catfish by fishing the bait right on the bottom. One trick I have been using is to place a small piece of foam into the smelts mouth so that the foam will make the smelt float slightly off the bottom. The catfish like this presentation very much. As far as hooks, use the same size treble hooks you use from your dip baits.
If you like catfish, it's a great time to enjoy some of this fast and furious action that's going on now in a backwater near you before the great bite is over.
Regards: Lastcast,,,Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
For those of you that like catfish, there is a nice bite going on in the backwater areas of the Mississippi. Right now those hungry catfish are feeding on dead fish that have sunk to the bottom in these areas. These are the dead shad and other fish that were frozen in the ice during the Winter and now have sunk down. Look for areas of dark bottom bays and sloughs and fish in fairly shallow water. Try and scan the shorelines for dead fish on the bottom and you will have found a good spot.
I have been using fresh smelt from the grocery store and have been catching some really nice catfish by fishing the bait right on the bottom. One trick I have been using is to place a small piece of foam into the smelts mouth so that the foam will make the smelt float slightly off the bottom. The catfish like this presentation very much. As far as hooks, use the same size treble hooks you use from your dip baits.
If you like catfish, it's a great time to enjoy some of this fast and furious action that's going on now in a backwater near you before the great bite is over.
Regards: Lastcast,,,Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 3, 2014
BACKWATER AREAS HAVE SOME "CLEAN" WATER AVAILABLE
Greetings All:
With the wind mixed river looking like chocolate milk at this time, there are a few spots to try.
Many of the newly thawed backwater areas are much cleaner that the main river and the fish have been using them. With water levels currently up, you can get into some of these areas and fish the flooded brush and catch fish. Area that have flooded willows near the waters edge are holding some walleye and sauger right now. Try and find an area that is off, but still near enough to the main river so that fish can transition easily back and forth. You will find these fish holding tight in the cover so a basic pitching/flipping a jig method is working best. With this presentation you can be much more accurate.
As of this morning, I have found many very nice, chunky sauger in these types of areas using the presentation I mentioned above.
Again, look for the cleanest water you can find and the fish will be nearby. Good luck and enjoy the river and all it has to offer.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the wind mixed river looking like chocolate milk at this time, there are a few spots to try.
Many of the newly thawed backwater areas are much cleaner that the main river and the fish have been using them. With water levels currently up, you can get into some of these areas and fish the flooded brush and catch fish. Area that have flooded willows near the waters edge are holding some walleye and sauger right now. Try and find an area that is off, but still near enough to the main river so that fish can transition easily back and forth. You will find these fish holding tight in the cover so a basic pitching/flipping a jig method is working best. With this presentation you can be much more accurate.
As of this morning, I have found many very nice, chunky sauger in these types of areas using the presentation I mentioned above.
Again, look for the cleanest water you can find and the fish will be nearby. Good luck and enjoy the river and all it has to offer.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
HIGH WINDS HAMPERING MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING
Greetings All:
With the very high winds we have been experiencing here in the Midwest along the Mississippi River, they have really hampered the river fishing. The strong winds have been blowing up river and really churning up the river with whitecaps and turning the clear water to very muddy water. As of this report, Mississippi river is chocolate color in many locations making it nearly impossible for fish to see a lure. With rain on the way for the next few days, some heavy predicted, look for the river to stay very dirty. With the river being in bad shape visibility wise, it's a great time to check out your tackle and do any maintenance on your boat so you will be ready to go when the river does once again clear up enough to fish.
Hopefully Spring will start showing up on a more regular basis and the fishing will take off here in the Midwest.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the very high winds we have been experiencing here in the Midwest along the Mississippi River, they have really hampered the river fishing. The strong winds have been blowing up river and really churning up the river with whitecaps and turning the clear water to very muddy water. As of this report, Mississippi river is chocolate color in many locations making it nearly impossible for fish to see a lure. With rain on the way for the next few days, some heavy predicted, look for the river to stay very dirty. With the river being in bad shape visibility wise, it's a great time to check out your tackle and do any maintenance on your boat so you will be ready to go when the river does once again clear up enough to fish.
Hopefully Spring will start showing up on a more regular basis and the fishing will take off here in the Midwest.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 27, 2014
RIVER RISING BUT FISH ARE AVAILABLE!!!
Greetings All:
The melt continues and the Mississippi River is on the rise. Areas like Dubuque and Bellevue are very fishable right now. Be careful of floating ice chunks in the river though. I was out this morning, but due to the fast current up by the dam in Bellevue choose to head down river in search of some fish. Hit a few spots about 8 miles downriver and found a few small sauger off the main river channel casting jig/minnow rigs. Moved further up river about a mile and fished a running side slough and caught 3 really nice walleye there on a closing dam. Look for anything breaking the current right now and the fish are using these areas. As a bonus, found a few catfish in the thawed backwater areas feeding on dead shad and other baitfish. In a few hours fishing, caught enough for the dinner table.
Look for a nice weather weekend forecast coming up and lot's of boats up at the dams. Don't tell anyone but the best bite is coming at locations down river right now, LOL. Seriously though, more biters happening away from the dam that at it.
So wear that PFD, the water is cold and enjoy some river fishing on the Mississippi. Good luck and save a few for me.
Regards: Lastcast,,,Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
The melt continues and the Mississippi River is on the rise. Areas like Dubuque and Bellevue are very fishable right now. Be careful of floating ice chunks in the river though. I was out this morning, but due to the fast current up by the dam in Bellevue choose to head down river in search of some fish. Hit a few spots about 8 miles downriver and found a few small sauger off the main river channel casting jig/minnow rigs. Moved further up river about a mile and fished a running side slough and caught 3 really nice walleye there on a closing dam. Look for anything breaking the current right now and the fish are using these areas. As a bonus, found a few catfish in the thawed backwater areas feeding on dead shad and other baitfish. In a few hours fishing, caught enough for the dinner table.
Look for a nice weather weekend forecast coming up and lot's of boats up at the dams. Don't tell anyone but the best bite is coming at locations down river right now, LOL. Seriously though, more biters happening away from the dam that at it.
So wear that PFD, the water is cold and enjoy some river fishing on the Mississippi. Good luck and save a few for me.
Regards: Lastcast,,,Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, March 21, 2014
MISSISSIPPI RIVER OPENING UP FOR FISHING!!!!
Greetings All:
Finally, after this brutal Winter we have had, the Mississippi River is starting to open in select locations to do some open water fishing.
With the warmer temps arriving more often, the river tailwaters have opened so that those anglers chomping at the bit to get their boat in the water can finally do so. Areas below the dam in Dubuque and Bellevue are open as of this report. River is up about 3 feet at this time and expected to keep rising due to melt off. Many anglers are already fishing the Illinois side of Bellevue with very mixed results. Don't get caught in this "Bumper Boat" trap. Just because you see a pack of boats does not mean they are catching fish. Right now you can travel down river and find some great spots where the fish are holding and have then all to yourself. I was out this morning and found some nice walleye and sauger about 6 miles down from Bellevue fishing current breaks. This particular spot has produced for me for many years and continues to do so as a holding area for pre-spawn fish. Areas that are breaking the current are producing right now so make it a point to search out these types of locations. Jig/minnow rigs tipped with a nice lively minnow in the 3" size range will do the trick right now. Start without a stinger hook and see how aggressive the fish are. If you are getting a lot of short hits, you can add the stinger hook then.
One last thing. Remember to handle those spawn laden walleye and sauger carefully. Take a few pictures and release the big fish so that they can complete their spawning ritual. If you want fish for the frying pan, there are many smaller males available to catch.
So be safe out there, wear that PFD and look out for ice chunks in the water that are semi-submerged. Also look for more chunk ice to happen as the river breaks up above the dams.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Finally, after this brutal Winter we have had, the Mississippi River is starting to open in select locations to do some open water fishing.
With the warmer temps arriving more often, the river tailwaters have opened so that those anglers chomping at the bit to get their boat in the water can finally do so. Areas below the dam in Dubuque and Bellevue are open as of this report. River is up about 3 feet at this time and expected to keep rising due to melt off. Many anglers are already fishing the Illinois side of Bellevue with very mixed results. Don't get caught in this "Bumper Boat" trap. Just because you see a pack of boats does not mean they are catching fish. Right now you can travel down river and find some great spots where the fish are holding and have then all to yourself. I was out this morning and found some nice walleye and sauger about 6 miles down from Bellevue fishing current breaks. This particular spot has produced for me for many years and continues to do so as a holding area for pre-spawn fish. Areas that are breaking the current are producing right now so make it a point to search out these types of locations. Jig/minnow rigs tipped with a nice lively minnow in the 3" size range will do the trick right now. Start without a stinger hook and see how aggressive the fish are. If you are getting a lot of short hits, you can add the stinger hook then.
One last thing. Remember to handle those spawn laden walleye and sauger carefully. Take a few pictures and release the big fish so that they can complete their spawning ritual. If you want fish for the frying pan, there are many smaller males available to catch.
So be safe out there, wear that PFD and look out for ice chunks in the water that are semi-submerged. Also look for more chunk ice to happen as the river breaks up above the dams.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
ICE CHANGING DAILY, CHECK IT'S SAFE BEFORE HEADING OUT!!!!!
Greetings All;
Well here we are with warmer temps upon us and it is having a big effect on Midwest ice conditions.
With melt-off occurring the ice in many locations is becoming "iffy" to say the least. Especially on the rivers where current from underneath and melting on the surface is making for some dangerous conditions to say the least. areas of the Mississippi River have become to unsafe to venture on. With this in mind, start fishing those lakes and ponds that still have some good thickness of ice to them. Even there, be extra careful when venturing out to fish. Shoreline melting can, and does weaken ice quickly so again,,,BE CAREFUL!!! Wear that PFD and bring along a friend do you can watch out for each other. One last thing, don't walk close together when getting on the ice. Wait till you know for sure it is safe to walk on.
Before long the ice will be just a memory for another year. So make some plans now to get out and enjoy some late season ice fishing on your favorite body of water.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well here we are with warmer temps upon us and it is having a big effect on Midwest ice conditions.
With melt-off occurring the ice in many locations is becoming "iffy" to say the least. Especially on the rivers where current from underneath and melting on the surface is making for some dangerous conditions to say the least. areas of the Mississippi River have become to unsafe to venture on. With this in mind, start fishing those lakes and ponds that still have some good thickness of ice to them. Even there, be extra careful when venturing out to fish. Shoreline melting can, and does weaken ice quickly so again,,,BE CAREFUL!!! Wear that PFD and bring along a friend do you can watch out for each other. One last thing, don't walk close together when getting on the ice. Wait till you know for sure it is safe to walk on.
Before long the ice will be just a memory for another year. So make some plans now to get out and enjoy some late season ice fishing on your favorite body of water.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 6, 2014
WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES FORECAST, GET OUT AND FISH!!!!!
Greetings All:
With some much warmer temperatures forecast this coming weekend, it looks like a great time to get out and enjoy some late season ice fishing. This very cold Winter has been hampering most ice anglers from getting out on a regular basis but there is still time to enjoy. Keep in mind that the fish will be moving under the ice to more shallow locations in search of much needed oxygen, so adjust your fishing locations accordingly. This applies to areas like lakes and farm ponds. On rivers where there is current, the oxygen levels are not as depleted so you may still find some fish at deeper depths. This will depend on how well the water is oxygenated.
One last thing, remember that this late in the season, small baits are the ticket for more fish, especially the panfish.
So make your plans now to get out and shed that cabin fever that so many folks are suffering from this year. Dress warm and make plans to head to your favorite ice fishing location. I'm sure that you will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With some much warmer temperatures forecast this coming weekend, it looks like a great time to get out and enjoy some late season ice fishing. This very cold Winter has been hampering most ice anglers from getting out on a regular basis but there is still time to enjoy. Keep in mind that the fish will be moving under the ice to more shallow locations in search of much needed oxygen, so adjust your fishing locations accordingly. This applies to areas like lakes and farm ponds. On rivers where there is current, the oxygen levels are not as depleted so you may still find some fish at deeper depths. This will depend on how well the water is oxygenated.
One last thing, remember that this late in the season, small baits are the ticket for more fish, especially the panfish.
So make your plans now to get out and shed that cabin fever that so many folks are suffering from this year. Dress warm and make plans to head to your favorite ice fishing location. I'm sure that you will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, February 28, 2014
OXYGEN DEPLETION A REAL PROBLEM FOR THE FISH!!!
Greetings All:
As we move deeper into the ice fishing season the heavy snow cover in the Midwest is continuing to have a major effect on our waters that contain fish. With the Sun light unable to penetrate into the depth through the ice, oxygen producing vegetation is not producing any oxygen which is leading to potential fish kills in many areas. If we do not get some melting and runoff happening soon to re-oxygenate these waters the fish will be substantial. With above freezing temperatures not forecast for at least another week the oxygen is dangerously low in many areas.
Let's hope Mother Nature gives us a break and we get some thawing so that fresh oxygen can get into these troubled waters. Until then, all we can do is hope and wait.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
As we move deeper into the ice fishing season the heavy snow cover in the Midwest is continuing to have a major effect on our waters that contain fish. With the Sun light unable to penetrate into the depth through the ice, oxygen producing vegetation is not producing any oxygen which is leading to potential fish kills in many areas. If we do not get some melting and runoff happening soon to re-oxygenate these waters the fish will be substantial. With above freezing temperatures not forecast for at least another week the oxygen is dangerously low in many areas.
Let's hope Mother Nature gives us a break and we get some thawing so that fresh oxygen can get into these troubled waters. Until then, all we can do is hope and wait.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
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