Greetings All:
River levels have fallen back to very fishable levels and the fish are responding. With the cooler nights, the water temps have dropped into the 60's also. Look for the sauger and walleye bite to be starting up near the dams. Panfish feeding well near structure in slough and side channels. Catfish bite still good but look for it to start slowing as water temps drop more. Right now as a bonus, there are some really big white bass showing up and I look for this great bite to last well into October. Fish sand flat areas and rocky shorelines for best results. This last week, a white hair jig in the 1/4th. ounce size has been hot when cast. You can tip it with a minnow or plastic tail if you wish but it has not been necessary. Look for some of these big white bass to tip the scales near 4lbs.
Weather looking great so get out and fish the Mississippi river. You will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Friday, September 19, 2014
RISING RIVER CAUSING ANGLER HEADACHES!!!!
Greetings All;
With the Mississippi River taking a few feet rise, the water is very stained. Fish have scattered out due to the rise and are difficult to locate. Bass action is Fair/Good if you can locate them. Wingdam Walleye and sauger have slowed due to very muddy, stained water. Catfish action has also slowed but fish can still be taken on nightcrawlers. Bluegill in the side sloughs near downed brush and trees on a piece of worm fished under a small float. Crappie at this time are only fair with the crappie scattered out. There is a chance of rain in the forecast for Saturday and if this happens, look for more runoff to keep river muddy. With good weather forecast from Sunday on through the week, look for the river to start clearing up and water levels falling. Cool nighttime temps have started the water to cool. This will help get the fish active when waters clear up.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the Mississippi River taking a few feet rise, the water is very stained. Fish have scattered out due to the rise and are difficult to locate. Bass action is Fair/Good if you can locate them. Wingdam Walleye and sauger have slowed due to very muddy, stained water. Catfish action has also slowed but fish can still be taken on nightcrawlers. Bluegill in the side sloughs near downed brush and trees on a piece of worm fished under a small float. Crappie at this time are only fair with the crappie scattered out. There is a chance of rain in the forecast for Saturday and if this happens, look for more runoff to keep river muddy. With good weather forecast from Sunday on through the week, look for the river to start clearing up and water levels falling. Cool nighttime temps have started the water to cool. This will help get the fish active when waters clear up.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, September 12, 2014
WEEKEND OUTLOOK "MURKY"!!!
Greetings All:
With the recent rains that have dumped quite a bit of rain here in the Midwest, the Mississippi river is on the murky side right now. Runoff has helped in staining the waters up really well. You can go into the backwater areas and still catch fish though. Look for the cleanest and clearest water you can find and fish those areas. Biggest problem now is the fish seeing your bait. Catfish good on stink baits, bass good on loud lures like spinnerbaits. Crappie and bluegill have slowed due to water conditions. As of this report, some rain still falling and it is not expected to clear out until late Friday. It will take a few days at least for the river to start clearing once again. With the onset of these cool temperatures, (39 degrees forecast tonight) look for the waters to start cooling fast. Cool weather forecast for the next 14 days at least. Look for the Fall transition to start early as temps in the river drop. One thing for sure, the fish will be putting on the feed bag as cool weather signals the changes.
Enjoy the river, it's a wonderful place to fish.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the recent rains that have dumped quite a bit of rain here in the Midwest, the Mississippi river is on the murky side right now. Runoff has helped in staining the waters up really well. You can go into the backwater areas and still catch fish though. Look for the cleanest and clearest water you can find and fish those areas. Biggest problem now is the fish seeing your bait. Catfish good on stink baits, bass good on loud lures like spinnerbaits. Crappie and bluegill have slowed due to water conditions. As of this report, some rain still falling and it is not expected to clear out until late Friday. It will take a few days at least for the river to start clearing once again. With the onset of these cool temperatures, (39 degrees forecast tonight) look for the waters to start cooling fast. Cool weather forecast for the next 14 days at least. Look for the Fall transition to start early as temps in the river drop. One thing for sure, the fish will be putting on the feed bag as cool weather signals the changes.
Enjoy the river, it's a wonderful place to fish.
Regards: Lastcast Mike cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Saturday, August 30, 2014
LABOR DAY FISHING ON THE GOOD SIDE!!!!
Greetings All;
Well, here we are with the Labor Day weekend upon us once again. Where did the Summer go?
With that thought in mind, many folks are heading out for that "last blast" of the season. The good thing is that fishing all up and down the Mississippi River is good for many species. The river has risen slightly with the recent rains but it is in excellent shape. From Pools-5 up North down to the New Boston area, the bite has been on.
Look for species like catfish and bass to be doing very well. Walleye on the wing dams in their Summer pattern. Fish those many backwater running sloughs for some fine crappie action along with good bluegill along the weed edges. As a bonus, many nice northern are showing up by casting flashy spoons near creek mouths and inflow pipe areas.
Hopefully you can wet a line this weekend. Be safe on the river and save a few for me.......
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, here we are with the Labor Day weekend upon us once again. Where did the Summer go?
With that thought in mind, many folks are heading out for that "last blast" of the season. The good thing is that fishing all up and down the Mississippi River is good for many species. The river has risen slightly with the recent rains but it is in excellent shape. From Pools-5 up North down to the New Boston area, the bite has been on.
Look for species like catfish and bass to be doing very well. Walleye on the wing dams in their Summer pattern. Fish those many backwater running sloughs for some fine crappie action along with good bluegill along the weed edges. As a bonus, many nice northern are showing up by casting flashy spoons near creek mouths and inflow pipe areas.
Hopefully you can wet a line this weekend. Be safe on the river and save a few for me.......
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, August 21, 2014
CATFISH ON THE PROWL!!!
Greetings All:
If you like great catfish action, now is the time to be fishing the Mississippi River.
From Pool-9 down to Pool-14, catfish action is hot. Fish those snags and deadfalls laying in the water if you intend to fish the many sloughs and backwater areas and use your favorite "Stink" bait. If you prefer to fish the main river areas, look for deep holes on the outside river bends that have some structure on the bottom such as old sunken timber. For these main river locations, try using cut baits either fished on the bottom or just off the bottom. If you can catch a few suckers, you can use them as cut bait with excellent results. I have had great success this past week fishing a cut bait deep, just suspended off the bottom near these structure areas. Which ever bait and method you use, get out and enjoy some of the excellent catfishing that is happening right now on the Mississippi River.
Note: Very hot temperatures are forecast for this upcoming weekend so make sure you stay well hydrated. Bring along some water in your ice chest and take a drink often.
Good luck and great fishing.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
If you like great catfish action, now is the time to be fishing the Mississippi River.
From Pool-9 down to Pool-14, catfish action is hot. Fish those snags and deadfalls laying in the water if you intend to fish the many sloughs and backwater areas and use your favorite "Stink" bait. If you prefer to fish the main river areas, look for deep holes on the outside river bends that have some structure on the bottom such as old sunken timber. For these main river locations, try using cut baits either fished on the bottom or just off the bottom. If you can catch a few suckers, you can use them as cut bait with excellent results. I have had great success this past week fishing a cut bait deep, just suspended off the bottom near these structure areas. Which ever bait and method you use, get out and enjoy some of the excellent catfishing that is happening right now on the Mississippi River.
Note: Very hot temperatures are forecast for this upcoming weekend so make sure you stay well hydrated. Bring along some water in your ice chest and take a drink often.
Good luck and great fishing.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Friday, August 15, 2014
MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRAPPIE ACTION STRONG!!!
Greetings All:
If you like to fish for crappie as much as I do, then it's time to start fishing the running sloughs all along the Mississippi. Right now the crappie bite in these running sloughs is hot. Many nice fish in these areas on minnows fished near deadfalls and downed timber. Use a very simple presentation for best results. I have been using a small, gold salmon egg hook fished under a slip float with excellent success. Add a split shot or two about a foot above your bait, hook the minnow lightly midway between the dorsal fin and tail and you are ready to catch fish.
Look for this good bite to continue until river levels drop another foot or so. When this happens, the crappie will migrate again into the deeper waters of the main river until Fall.
So if you are heading out on the Mississippi this coming weekend, don't forget to hit those running sloughs and cash in on the fine crappie fishing that's happening now.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
If you like to fish for crappie as much as I do, then it's time to start fishing the running sloughs all along the Mississippi. Right now the crappie bite in these running sloughs is hot. Many nice fish in these areas on minnows fished near deadfalls and downed timber. Use a very simple presentation for best results. I have been using a small, gold salmon egg hook fished under a slip float with excellent success. Add a split shot or two about a foot above your bait, hook the minnow lightly midway between the dorsal fin and tail and you are ready to catch fish.
Look for this good bite to continue until river levels drop another foot or so. When this happens, the crappie will migrate again into the deeper waters of the main river until Fall.
So if you are heading out on the Mississippi this coming weekend, don't forget to hit those running sloughs and cash in on the fine crappie fishing that's happening now.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Saturday, August 9, 2014
WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND TO GET OUT AND FISH!!!!!
Greetings All:
Wow!!! What a great weather forecast for the weekend here in the upper Midwest. With wonderful weather on tap, hopefully you can get out on the Mississippi river and catch some of the great fish that are biting.
Right now, excellent smallmouth bass action is happening in rocky areas with slight current. Fish small crankbaits over these areas and you will catch fish. All other species are biting also with some excellent Northern fishing in running sloughs near weed edges using spinnerbaits and flashy spoons. Some nice healthy Northern are being caught.
If possible, put your "Honey-Do" list on hold and get out to wet a line. You will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast113@yahoo.com
Wow!!! What a great weather forecast for the weekend here in the upper Midwest. With wonderful weather on tap, hopefully you can get out on the Mississippi river and catch some of the great fish that are biting.
Right now, excellent smallmouth bass action is happening in rocky areas with slight current. Fish small crankbaits over these areas and you will catch fish. All other species are biting also with some excellent Northern fishing in running sloughs near weed edges using spinnerbaits and flashy spoons. Some nice healthy Northern are being caught.
If possible, put your "Honey-Do" list on hold and get out to wet a line. You will be glad you did.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast113@yahoo.com
Friday, August 1, 2014
SMALLMOUTH BASS ON THE BITE!!!!
Greetings All:
With the fairly stable weather we have been enjoying, all up and down the Mississippi River the smallmouth bass are going on the feed. From the La Crosse, WI area to the North to around Pool 14 South, smallie fishing has been getting hot. Small crankbaits cast along and near steep tapering rocky shorelines and near rock piles are catching many fish. Crayfish colors are working well. For some real fun, fish these small baits using an ultralight setup and you will have a blast. Best times seem to be just before and into dusk and then again in the early morning. That's not to say you cannot catch them all day long, it's just that those have been the hot times for actively feeding smallmouth.
With great weather predicted for the upcoming weekend, hopefully you can get out for some explosive smallmouth bass fishing on the Mississippi river.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
With the fairly stable weather we have been enjoying, all up and down the Mississippi River the smallmouth bass are going on the feed. From the La Crosse, WI area to the North to around Pool 14 South, smallie fishing has been getting hot. Small crankbaits cast along and near steep tapering rocky shorelines and near rock piles are catching many fish. Crayfish colors are working well. For some real fun, fish these small baits using an ultralight setup and you will have a blast. Best times seem to be just before and into dusk and then again in the early morning. That's not to say you cannot catch them all day long, it's just that those have been the hot times for actively feeding smallmouth.
With great weather predicted for the upcoming weekend, hopefully you can get out for some explosive smallmouth bass fishing on the Mississippi river.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Sunday, July 27, 2014
WINGDAM WALLEYE BITE STARTING!!!
Greetings All;
Well, even though the river is still somewhat stained in water clarity, there is a decent bite starting for some walleye on the wingdams.
Fished Pool-12 and did fairly well dragging lively nightcrawlers on a crawler harness. I make my own style crawler harnesses but you should be able to use store bought harnesses and have success also. The walleye I caught were nice healthy fish and hit very hard. There were no "short strikers" at all. I also used another rig I fish a lot and had equal success. I use a small, gold salmon egg style hook and back troll a juicy crawler on a three-way rig. Hook the crawler once through the nose, use about a 3 to 4 foot leader and your ready to go. Make sure you have a heavy enough dropper weight to keep constant bottom contact. Vary your trolling speed till you find what the fish are looking for. I found 1-1/2 mph., worked well for a starting point.
The wing dam bite is there and getting better. Hopefully you can get a chance to get out and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, even though the river is still somewhat stained in water clarity, there is a decent bite starting for some walleye on the wingdams.
Fished Pool-12 and did fairly well dragging lively nightcrawlers on a crawler harness. I make my own style crawler harnesses but you should be able to use store bought harnesses and have success also. The walleye I caught were nice healthy fish and hit very hard. There were no "short strikers" at all. I also used another rig I fish a lot and had equal success. I use a small, gold salmon egg style hook and back troll a juicy crawler on a three-way rig. Hook the crawler once through the nose, use about a 3 to 4 foot leader and your ready to go. Make sure you have a heavy enough dropper weight to keep constant bottom contact. Vary your trolling speed till you find what the fish are looking for. I found 1-1/2 mph., worked well for a starting point.
The wing dam bite is there and getting better. Hopefully you can get a chance to get out and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, July 24, 2014
TIME TO GET OUT AND FISH!!!!!
Greetings All:
Finally, the Mississippi River is getting back to some normalcy. All along this great river water levels are returning to seasonal levels and the fishing is picking up. Many of the lock and dams now have the gates back in the water so within a few days, look for some good fishing to once again to start up in the tailwater areas. Backwater areas have slowed due to the drop in water levels but main river fishing picking up. Good catfish action on wingdams and also some really nice smallmouth bass along rocky areas. All in all, the coming weekend looks to be a fine time to get out and try some angling on the Mississippi.
Be safe, wear those PFD's and enjoy all the river has to offer.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Finally, the Mississippi River is getting back to some normalcy. All along this great river water levels are returning to seasonal levels and the fishing is picking up. Many of the lock and dams now have the gates back in the water so within a few days, look for some good fishing to once again to start up in the tailwater areas. Backwater areas have slowed due to the drop in water levels but main river fishing picking up. Good catfish action on wingdams and also some really nice smallmouth bass along rocky areas. All in all, the coming weekend looks to be a fine time to get out and try some angling on the Mississippi.
Be safe, wear those PFD's and enjoy all the river has to offer.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
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