Greetings All:
It looks like Mother Nature is really making up for last years drought here in the Midwest. From upper Minnesota to down south, the rains have been falling in earnest. With the wet weather forecast to continue into next week and flood warnings posted, look for the rivers and streams to continue to be high and dirty. Fishing right now is virtually at a standstill on the Mississippi River. Fast current, very muddy and dirty water with debris is all over. Even the catfish that are spawning are just about impossible to find right now.
My suggestion? What a great time to to a tune-up on your fishing equipment. Clean those rods and reels, put on fresh line, Etc. This way you will be ready to go when the rivers here in the Midwest get back to normal, fishable stages. It's also a good time to do any needed work on the boat.
So with that in mind, hopefully things will turn around in the near future and we can once again enjoy the wonderful fishing here in the Midwest. Stay tuned for updates here as soon as things start to change.
Regards: Last Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
EXCELLENT CATFISH ACTION STARTING!!!!
Greetings All;
Well, those catfish that roam the waters of the Mississippi River are on the feed. The many backwater areas are seeing catfish starting their spawn and they are hungry. With the main river still muddy, get into those backwater areas and look for the cleanest and clearest water you can find and you will find good catfish action. I sampled some of the action the last few days and the cat's were really biting. Using dip bait, I caught many nice fish in numerous sloughs and backwater areas all along the Mississippi. For years, my favorite dip bait has been made by G&S out of Milledgeville, IL. I exclusively use their Cheese Bait and have had excellent results. If your local bait shop does not carry it, you can look G&S up on the internet. Let them know you heard about them here on my blog. They are great folks that make an excellent, fishing catching cheese bait.
So if you planning on heading out for some catfish soon, hit those backwaters and you will be pleasantly surprised with the results. The catfish are plentiful and they are hungry.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, those catfish that roam the waters of the Mississippi River are on the feed. The many backwater areas are seeing catfish starting their spawn and they are hungry. With the main river still muddy, get into those backwater areas and look for the cleanest and clearest water you can find and you will find good catfish action. I sampled some of the action the last few days and the cat's were really biting. Using dip bait, I caught many nice fish in numerous sloughs and backwater areas all along the Mississippi. For years, my favorite dip bait has been made by G&S out of Milledgeville, IL. I exclusively use their Cheese Bait and have had excellent results. If your local bait shop does not carry it, you can look G&S up on the internet. Let them know you heard about them here on my blog. They are great folks that make an excellent, fishing catching cheese bait.
So if you planning on heading out for some catfish soon, hit those backwaters and you will be pleasantly surprised with the results. The catfish are plentiful and they are hungry.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, May 29, 2014
BACKWATER RIVER BASS ACTION GETTING HOT!!!!!
Greetings All;
If your looking for some fun on the water, it's a great time to head into the many backwater areas all up and down the Mississippi River. Even though the river is still up, there is some great bass fishing going on. Backwater areas and sloughs are producing excellent bass fishing on plastics right now. I have been using 5" to 7" floating plastic worms and have had the bass tearing them up. In most instances I have been fishing them weightless and working them across the waters surface in the weedy areas with excellent results. After you cast it out, use a nice steady retrieve with an occasional brief pause. The bass are really eating this presentation up. Best colors have been on the dark side. Black, purple and motor oil have been the top producers this past week. Use a longer rod to easily cast this lighter offering along with a quality 6 to 8 pound test line and your in business. Don't forget to rig your hook weedless, even though you are fishing over the weeds. This will help the worm glide along easily over and between the weeds.
I'll tell you folks, if you like to bass fish as much as I do, it's a great time to hit the areas I mentioned and you just might catch the biggest river bass of your life. So with that thought in mind,,,Get Out And Enjoy!!!!!
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
If your looking for some fun on the water, it's a great time to head into the many backwater areas all up and down the Mississippi River. Even though the river is still up, there is some great bass fishing going on. Backwater areas and sloughs are producing excellent bass fishing on plastics right now. I have been using 5" to 7" floating plastic worms and have had the bass tearing them up. In most instances I have been fishing them weightless and working them across the waters surface in the weedy areas with excellent results. After you cast it out, use a nice steady retrieve with an occasional brief pause. The bass are really eating this presentation up. Best colors have been on the dark side. Black, purple and motor oil have been the top producers this past week. Use a longer rod to easily cast this lighter offering along with a quality 6 to 8 pound test line and your in business. Don't forget to rig your hook weedless, even though you are fishing over the weeds. This will help the worm glide along easily over and between the weeds.
I'll tell you folks, if you like to bass fish as much as I do, it's a great time to hit the areas I mentioned and you just might catch the biggest river bass of your life. So with that thought in mind,,,Get Out And Enjoy!!!!!
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, May 16, 2014
AMAZING FRIDAY MORNING ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!!!
Greetings All:
Well, it is hard to believe with the Mississippi river in such sad shape from flooding, but here is what happened this morning.
I headed out for a few hours of fishing and decided to check some areas I have fished for years in Pool-13. I really did not expect much but boy, was I surprised. I found an area down river from Bellevue, IA that contained huge amounts of walleye that were very eager to bite. In the hour or so I stayed there, I caught walleye after walleye, all big fish to boot. With the river in it's current flood stage, these fish were schooled up and the catching was fast and furious. After about an hour and a half of great walleye fishing I headed home with the biggest smile on my face, and a few walleye for the frying pan.
As I was heading back to the dock, I thought about all those folks that are fishing the Walleye tournament tomorrow out of Bellevue and how they would love to know where this spot is. Well, I'm heading back there in the morning, knowing the fish will be stacked like cord wood again. Walleye after walleye, eager to bite. Without a doubt, enough big fish to win most tournaments, let alone one with the current river conditions. Hopefully those tournament anglers won't spot me out there and crash the party, LOL. Good luck folks in the tournament and I'll save a few for you all, that is if you can find this spot just loaded with many big Walleye.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, it is hard to believe with the Mississippi river in such sad shape from flooding, but here is what happened this morning.
I headed out for a few hours of fishing and decided to check some areas I have fished for years in Pool-13. I really did not expect much but boy, was I surprised. I found an area down river from Bellevue, IA that contained huge amounts of walleye that were very eager to bite. In the hour or so I stayed there, I caught walleye after walleye, all big fish to boot. With the river in it's current flood stage, these fish were schooled up and the catching was fast and furious. After about an hour and a half of great walleye fishing I headed home with the biggest smile on my face, and a few walleye for the frying pan.
As I was heading back to the dock, I thought about all those folks that are fishing the Walleye tournament tomorrow out of Bellevue and how they would love to know where this spot is. Well, I'm heading back there in the morning, knowing the fish will be stacked like cord wood again. Walleye after walleye, eager to bite. Without a doubt, enough big fish to win most tournaments, let alone one with the current river conditions. Hopefully those tournament anglers won't spot me out there and crash the party, LOL. Good luck folks in the tournament and I'll save a few for you all, that is if you can find this spot just loaded with many big Walleye.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
WEATHER COOL, RIVER UP,,FISHING DOWN!!!!
Greetings All:
Well, Mother Nature continues to bring us very unstable weather here in the Midwest and it sure has affected the river fishing. Right now the Mississippi, Wisconsin, Rock and other rivers are high, dirty and very turbid. With more rains forecast the next few days, look for no improvement to happen soon. If your chomping at the bit for some fishing, keep hitting those farm ponds and lakes for so good action. The truth be known, there is still more water coming down from up north, so look for the high water to be around for a bit.
Be safe and get out and enjoy the Great Outdoors, It's right Outside Your Back door!!!!!
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, Mother Nature continues to bring us very unstable weather here in the Midwest and it sure has affected the river fishing. Right now the Mississippi, Wisconsin, Rock and other rivers are high, dirty and very turbid. With more rains forecast the next few days, look for no improvement to happen soon. If your chomping at the bit for some fishing, keep hitting those farm ponds and lakes for so good action. The truth be known, there is still more water coming down from up north, so look for the high water to be around for a bit.
Be safe and get out and enjoy the Great Outdoors, It's right Outside Your Back door!!!!!
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, May 1, 2014
FARM POND YOUR BEST BET RIGHT NOW!!!
Greetings All:
Well with the consistent rain here in the Midwest, the Mississippi river has turned into a giant, flooded waterway. Dirty water that looks like chocolate milk is making river fishing all but impossible right now. Hopefully Mother Nature will send us some good stable conditions so that things can start to clear up and settle down.
If your chomping at the bit to get out and do some fishing, farm ponds here in the Midwest are the spots to try. These ponds handle the rain water better and also warm up much faster than the river and the fish have been responding. Good bluegill, crappie and also bass are available in these ponds right now. The panfish are not real shallow yet so try different depths until contact with the fish is made. Small larvae type baits for the bluegills under a slip float is working well. For the crappie, small minnows working well. You bass anglers can try plastics, spinnerbaits fished slow or a nice juicy night crawler suspended under a float.
So with the river in turmoil right now, head to your favorite farm pond for some great action. It's going on right now.
Note: Always ask permission to fish these farm ponds since most are on private land.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well with the consistent rain here in the Midwest, the Mississippi river has turned into a giant, flooded waterway. Dirty water that looks like chocolate milk is making river fishing all but impossible right now. Hopefully Mother Nature will send us some good stable conditions so that things can start to clear up and settle down.
If your chomping at the bit to get out and do some fishing, farm ponds here in the Midwest are the spots to try. These ponds handle the rain water better and also warm up much faster than the river and the fish have been responding. Good bluegill, crappie and also bass are available in these ponds right now. The panfish are not real shallow yet so try different depths until contact with the fish is made. Small larvae type baits for the bluegills under a slip float is working well. For the crappie, small minnows working well. You bass anglers can try plastics, spinnerbaits fished slow or a nice juicy night crawler suspended under a float.
So with the river in turmoil right now, head to your favorite farm pond for some great action. It's going on right now.
Note: Always ask permission to fish these farm ponds since most are on private land.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 24, 2014
TURBID RIVER PUTTING HOLD ON SPRING FISHING!!!
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
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
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
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