Greetings All:
Well finally the ice has started to form and farm ponds, lakes and river backwater areas are getting close to having safe ice to fish on. Now keep in mind though that first ice can be dangerous ice so use extreme caution when heading out. I recommend at least 3 to 4" of safe ice to start. Bring along some type of 6' long push pole to test the ice in front of you as you are walking. Also remember that any current under the ice can make for unsafe conditions as the current will eat away the ice from underneath. This happens especially in river backwater areas where you have running sloughs with even the slightest current. So use caution and wear that PFD.
As far as the fishing, look for good panfish action during first ice conditions. Bluegill, Crappie and Perch will be actively feeding. Larvae type baits will work well along with small minnows for the crappie and perch. Start your search in the more shallow locations near structure and move deeper as necessary until contact with the fish is made.
So dress warm, be safe and enjoy the ice fishing season. It's fun for the whole family so get out and enjoy!!!
Till Next Time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water.........
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
ITS "IN BETWEEN" FISHING TIME!!!
Greetings All:
Well here we are in the year 2016. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years and are looking forward to another great year of enjoying the outdoors.
I just wanted to say that right now we are in that brief "In-Between" time when there is not much access to the Mississippi River due to floating ice and waiting for safe ice to form on our lakes and farm ponds so that ice fishing can begin.
With some very cold air forecast to move in starting this coming weekend, hopefully the ice will form rather fast. Note: First ice can be very dangerous ice so use caution when venturing out for the first time until you are sure the ice is safe.
I'll keep you posted here as to what the latest ice conditions are so come back often. Remember, first ice usually produces some great catches of fish so have your equipment ready to go. Until then, I wish you all a very happy and safe 2016 enjoying time in the great outdoors.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well here we are in the year 2016. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years and are looking forward to another great year of enjoying the outdoors.
I just wanted to say that right now we are in that brief "In-Between" time when there is not much access to the Mississippi River due to floating ice and waiting for safe ice to form on our lakes and farm ponds so that ice fishing can begin.
With some very cold air forecast to move in starting this coming weekend, hopefully the ice will form rather fast. Note: First ice can be very dangerous ice so use caution when venturing out for the first time until you are sure the ice is safe.
I'll keep you posted here as to what the latest ice conditions are so come back often. Remember, first ice usually produces some great catches of fish so have your equipment ready to go. Until then, I wish you all a very happy and safe 2016 enjoying time in the great outdoors.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, December 17, 2015
DECEMBER RIVER FISHING A BLAST!!!!
Greetings All:
Well so far December has been a month of great weather with no snow on the ground here in the Midwest. Fishing on the Mississippi River continues to be exceptionally good for the angler willing to get out and give it a try. Right now it remains that the predominant bite is the sauger with a few walleye showing up also. Without a doubt this has been a great month to be out on the river. Most pools are producing excellent fishing in the tailwater areas but there are a few things happening that you should be aware of.
This time of the year the gates on the dams are put into what is known as Winter Set. This is when the gate are opened all the way and the water is allowed to flow freely. When this occurs, the fish that have been holding below the dam are washed down river for a time until they reestablish new locations below the dams that are now open. Keep in mind that some dams are going into Winter Set while others are not. I would recommend that you call ahead to the location you plan on fishing to inquire what set the gates are in. Most local bait shops will tell you. If possible, you would be better off to fish an area right now where the gates are still down and the fish have not been scattered out. It usually can take up to a week or so for fishing to once again improve after the gates have been opened.
I'll tell you folks, great fishing is happening right now on the Mississippi River in a pool near you. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well so far December has been a month of great weather with no snow on the ground here in the Midwest. Fishing on the Mississippi River continues to be exceptionally good for the angler willing to get out and give it a try. Right now it remains that the predominant bite is the sauger with a few walleye showing up also. Without a doubt this has been a great month to be out on the river. Most pools are producing excellent fishing in the tailwater areas but there are a few things happening that you should be aware of.
This time of the year the gates on the dams are put into what is known as Winter Set. This is when the gate are opened all the way and the water is allowed to flow freely. When this occurs, the fish that have been holding below the dam are washed down river for a time until they reestablish new locations below the dams that are now open. Keep in mind that some dams are going into Winter Set while others are not. I would recommend that you call ahead to the location you plan on fishing to inquire what set the gates are in. Most local bait shops will tell you. If possible, you would be better off to fish an area right now where the gates are still down and the fish have not been scattered out. It usually can take up to a week or so for fishing to once again improve after the gates have been opened.
I'll tell you folks, great fishing is happening right now on the Mississippi River in a pool near you. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
MISSISSIPPI RIVER UPDATE!!!
Greetings All:
Great to be back with you. Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the Mississippi River sauger fishing.
Right now with this really great weather we have been enjoying, those anglers that still have access to their boats are doing very well on sauger and also walleye in the tailwater areas of the dams. Anglers are trolling three way rigs with 2 1/2" to 3"minnows and doing well along with others that are vertical jigging a leadhead jig tipped with a minnow. Fish the channel edges and also any obvious current breaks and eddy areas. The fish are responding to these two presentations well. Make sure you are fishing tight to the bottom for best results.
Some anglers are fishing blade baits, but for best overall success its tough to beat the first two rigs I mentioned.
I was out the last few mornings and catching a limit of fish was the rule, rather than the exception for myself and some other anglers fishing.
Hopefully you can still get out and enjoy some of the great fishing going on right now in a Mississippi River Pool near you. The river is in great shape and the weather is also looking good with no ice. Dress warm, bring some hot coffee and make some great late Fall memories.
Any questions?, drop me an E-mail.
Till next time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water...................
Regards: lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Great to be back with you. Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the Mississippi River sauger fishing.
Right now with this really great weather we have been enjoying, those anglers that still have access to their boats are doing very well on sauger and also walleye in the tailwater areas of the dams. Anglers are trolling three way rigs with 2 1/2" to 3"minnows and doing well along with others that are vertical jigging a leadhead jig tipped with a minnow. Fish the channel edges and also any obvious current breaks and eddy areas. The fish are responding to these two presentations well. Make sure you are fishing tight to the bottom for best results.
Some anglers are fishing blade baits, but for best overall success its tough to beat the first two rigs I mentioned.
I was out the last few mornings and catching a limit of fish was the rule, rather than the exception for myself and some other anglers fishing.
Hopefully you can still get out and enjoy some of the great fishing going on right now in a Mississippi River Pool near you. The river is in great shape and the weather is also looking good with no ice. Dress warm, bring some hot coffee and make some great late Fall memories.
Any questions?, drop me an E-mail.
Till next time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water...................
Regards: lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, November 19, 2015
BLADE BAIT ACTION IS HOT ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!!!
Greetings All:
Well, the waters have cooled dramatically and the Blade Bait action has gotten hot on the Mississippi River. Right now the bite on these lures has been really fantastic with many big Walleye and sauger being taken this last week. Using them up near the dams has been the most effective. Remember: Don't rip the blade bait up and down fast. Just a nice slow lift and fall action is what the fish are preferring right now. Make sure you follow the bait back down as you let it fall and watch your line for the tell tale twitch in your line that will signal a hit. Fish these great baits tight to the bottom for best results and don't be afraid to let it fall right into the bottom. Doing this stirs up the silt and the fish go crazy and want to eat the bait.
So if your heading out for some great river fishing on the Mississippi, make sure you bring some blade baits in a selection of weights and colors and you will catch some nice fish on them. Remember, don't overwork the lure!!!
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, the waters have cooled dramatically and the Blade Bait action has gotten hot on the Mississippi River. Right now the bite on these lures has been really fantastic with many big Walleye and sauger being taken this last week. Using them up near the dams has been the most effective. Remember: Don't rip the blade bait up and down fast. Just a nice slow lift and fall action is what the fish are preferring right now. Make sure you follow the bait back down as you let it fall and watch your line for the tell tale twitch in your line that will signal a hit. Fish these great baits tight to the bottom for best results and don't be afraid to let it fall right into the bottom. Doing this stirs up the silt and the fish go crazy and want to eat the bait.
So if your heading out for some great river fishing on the Mississippi, make sure you bring some blade baits in a selection of weights and colors and you will catch some nice fish on them. Remember, don't overwork the lure!!!
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Monday, November 9, 2015
COOL NIGHTS BRINGING HOT FISHING!!!
Greetings All;
Well, finally Mother Nature has brought in some very cool Fall air which has resulted in overnight frost. With these cool nights the water temperatures in the Mississippi River have started their downward spiral. Right now anglers that are fishing all up and down the many Pools of the Mississippi are enjoying some great fishing. With that in mind, lets talk about which species are biting.
Walleye and sauger action is improving on a daily basis with many fish moving up into the tailwater areas of the dams. Anglers trolling three-way rigs are catching some very nice fish right now. Also, vertical jigging a jig/minnow combination very close to the bottom is catching fish. Make sure to stay very close to the bottom for best results. Also, don't be afraid to use bigger minnows now. Minnows in the 3inch + size range are taking some very big fish. Another area that is holding fish is the many wingdams in the river. Troll or fan cast the upstream sides of these areas and you will catch some nice fish. Don't be surprised if you also get into some great strippers while fishing for Walleye. They also have been active lately.
For you panfisherman, crappie are starting to school in the many backwater areas. Look for structure laying in the water where the fish can use as ambush points. Best crappie fishing has come in the deepest areas of the backwaters where structure is available. Small crappie minnows fished under a slip float with just a small plain hook doing the best. Some anglers having luck casting ultralight setups using small 16th. ounce jigs tipped with a twister tail. Bright colors working best.
Lastly, look for good Northern action near streams and creeks flowing into the Mississippi. Some nice big Northern available by casting flashy spoons.
So if you have not put your boat away for the Winter, you might want to get out on the Mississippi river and enjoy some of the excellent fishing going on right now. Best part is, look for this excellent fishing to last all the way to ice up.
So how about it, there is still time to get out and make some great fishing memories. Be safe and enjoy.
Till Next Time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water......
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, finally Mother Nature has brought in some very cool Fall air which has resulted in overnight frost. With these cool nights the water temperatures in the Mississippi River have started their downward spiral. Right now anglers that are fishing all up and down the many Pools of the Mississippi are enjoying some great fishing. With that in mind, lets talk about which species are biting.
Walleye and sauger action is improving on a daily basis with many fish moving up into the tailwater areas of the dams. Anglers trolling three-way rigs are catching some very nice fish right now. Also, vertical jigging a jig/minnow combination very close to the bottom is catching fish. Make sure to stay very close to the bottom for best results. Also, don't be afraid to use bigger minnows now. Minnows in the 3inch + size range are taking some very big fish. Another area that is holding fish is the many wingdams in the river. Troll or fan cast the upstream sides of these areas and you will catch some nice fish. Don't be surprised if you also get into some great strippers while fishing for Walleye. They also have been active lately.
For you panfisherman, crappie are starting to school in the many backwater areas. Look for structure laying in the water where the fish can use as ambush points. Best crappie fishing has come in the deepest areas of the backwaters where structure is available. Small crappie minnows fished under a slip float with just a small plain hook doing the best. Some anglers having luck casting ultralight setups using small 16th. ounce jigs tipped with a twister tail. Bright colors working best.
Lastly, look for good Northern action near streams and creeks flowing into the Mississippi. Some nice big Northern available by casting flashy spoons.
So if you have not put your boat away for the Winter, you might want to get out on the Mississippi river and enjoy some of the excellent fishing going on right now. Best part is, look for this excellent fishing to last all the way to ice up.
So how about it, there is still time to get out and make some great fishing memories. Be safe and enjoy.
Till Next Time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water......
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
MISSISSIPPI RIVER UPDATE!!!
Greetings All:
Just a quick update for all you folks making some plans to head out and do some fishing this weekend on the Mississippi River.
Good action for both walleye and sauger from up near Genoa all the way down to New Boston with good concentrations of fish available. Look for more fish moving into the tailwater areas below the dams with the water cooling down. One thing I want to stress though. There are good concentrations of fish available at many areas down river that never see an anglers bait. No need to get caught up in the "Bumper Boat" traffic up at the dam when you can have some great spots all to yourself down river. Remember, "All The Fish Do Not Move Into The Tailwater Area"!!! With that in mind, remember that great fishing exists elsewhere.
Three way rigs with minnows and also vertical jigging best presentations right now. As the water gets colder, blade baits will start to come into their own when slowly vertical jigged.
Was out this evening for a bit, (Down River) and caught over 10 keepers on jig/minnow rigs in less than 40 minutes. All fish released except a few for dinner.
Just wanted to give this quick update. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy some of the great Fall fishing that's starting on the Mississippi River.
Till Next Time,,, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water............................
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Just a quick update for all you folks making some plans to head out and do some fishing this weekend on the Mississippi River.
Good action for both walleye and sauger from up near Genoa all the way down to New Boston with good concentrations of fish available. Look for more fish moving into the tailwater areas below the dams with the water cooling down. One thing I want to stress though. There are good concentrations of fish available at many areas down river that never see an anglers bait. No need to get caught up in the "Bumper Boat" traffic up at the dam when you can have some great spots all to yourself down river. Remember, "All The Fish Do Not Move Into The Tailwater Area"!!! With that in mind, remember that great fishing exists elsewhere.
Three way rigs with minnows and also vertical jigging best presentations right now. As the water gets colder, blade baits will start to come into their own when slowly vertical jigged.
Was out this evening for a bit, (Down River) and caught over 10 keepers on jig/minnow rigs in less than 40 minutes. All fish released except a few for dinner.
Just wanted to give this quick update. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy some of the great Fall fishing that's starting on the Mississippi River.
Till Next Time,,, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water............................
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Thursday, October 15, 2015
FALL FISHING ON THE UPSWING!!!!!
Greetings All:
Well if your looking for something to do this coming weekend, I'd highly recommend heading out to either the Mississippi or Wisconsin Rivers for some fantastic Fall fishing. The water temperatures have finally started there seasonal cool down and the fish are really responding. Keep in mind that when the water temps start dropping, Mother Nature signals the fish that it is once again time to put on the feed bag for the cold season ahead. Right now, this is happening and some great fishing can be enjoyed.
On the Mississippi River, walleye and sauger are starting to show up in the tailwater areas of the dams in decent numbers. Remember, this will only keep getting better till ice up with great catches the exception rather than the rule. Three way rigs tipped with a nice big minnow will work well along with vertical jigging a leadhead jig and minnow combo. Make sure to keep your presentation close to the bottom for best results. If you like panfish, good crappie action is happening in the many backwater areas of the Mississippi. Fish small minnows under a slip float near structure laying in the water for best results. Alsom, don't forget the great Northern action that is also available. Use flashy spoons near creek mouths and other river inflows. Lots of big fish are available. One last thing, Big Stripers are still biting on the Mississippi with many fish in the 4+ pound range being caught. White hair jigs in the 1/4th. and 1/8th. weight range cast in sand flat areas are doing well. Also work the steep rocky shorelines for some good action. This striper bite won't last much longer as the waters cool further so get out and enjoy.
On the Wisconsin River, look for excellent walleye and sauger action also. In the Dell's area, fish the dam for good results as the walleye are starting to show up as they make their migration upstream. Same rigs as the Mississippi River will catch fish on the Wisconsin River. Also, the area withe Wisconsin comes into the Mississippi has been a hot spot this past week and I look for it to continue to produce good fishing well into the late Fall.
Fall is here my friends. Hopefully you can make some time to get out and enjoy the great river fishing it has to offer. So with that said, Get Out and Make Some Memories!!!!!
Till Next Time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water....................
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well if your looking for something to do this coming weekend, I'd highly recommend heading out to either the Mississippi or Wisconsin Rivers for some fantastic Fall fishing. The water temperatures have finally started there seasonal cool down and the fish are really responding. Keep in mind that when the water temps start dropping, Mother Nature signals the fish that it is once again time to put on the feed bag for the cold season ahead. Right now, this is happening and some great fishing can be enjoyed.
On the Mississippi River, walleye and sauger are starting to show up in the tailwater areas of the dams in decent numbers. Remember, this will only keep getting better till ice up with great catches the exception rather than the rule. Three way rigs tipped with a nice big minnow will work well along with vertical jigging a leadhead jig and minnow combo. Make sure to keep your presentation close to the bottom for best results. If you like panfish, good crappie action is happening in the many backwater areas of the Mississippi. Fish small minnows under a slip float near structure laying in the water for best results. Alsom, don't forget the great Northern action that is also available. Use flashy spoons near creek mouths and other river inflows. Lots of big fish are available. One last thing, Big Stripers are still biting on the Mississippi with many fish in the 4+ pound range being caught. White hair jigs in the 1/4th. and 1/8th. weight range cast in sand flat areas are doing well. Also work the steep rocky shorelines for some good action. This striper bite won't last much longer as the waters cool further so get out and enjoy.
On the Wisconsin River, look for excellent walleye and sauger action also. In the Dell's area, fish the dam for good results as the walleye are starting to show up as they make their migration upstream. Same rigs as the Mississippi River will catch fish on the Wisconsin River. Also, the area withe Wisconsin comes into the Mississippi has been a hot spot this past week and I look for it to continue to produce good fishing well into the late Fall.
Fall is here my friends. Hopefully you can make some time to get out and enjoy the great river fishing it has to offer. So with that said, Get Out and Make Some Memories!!!!!
Till Next Time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water....................
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Monday, September 21, 2015
FALL STRIPER BITE TAKING SHAPE!!!
Greetings All:
The long anticipated Fall Striper bite is starting to take shape. With cooler nights and shorter days, look for the bite for these big bruisers to take off. Water temps need to start dropping, which they will, to trigger the fish to start feeding heavily.
Currently I have been having good fishing on the Mississippi river working fast tapering shoreline areas and also wingdams. Simply cast a nice fluffy hair jig tipped with a twister tail and you will know if the Stripers are in the area. This action is fast and furious and so much fun. Look for it to be a great Fall as these fish will only get more aggressive as the water continues to cool. Check back often for updates.
Till Next Time,,, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
The long anticipated Fall Striper bite is starting to take shape. With cooler nights and shorter days, look for the bite for these big bruisers to take off. Water temps need to start dropping, which they will, to trigger the fish to start feeding heavily.
Currently I have been having good fishing on the Mississippi river working fast tapering shoreline areas and also wingdams. Simply cast a nice fluffy hair jig tipped with a twister tail and you will know if the Stripers are in the area. This action is fast and furious and so much fun. Look for it to be a great Fall as these fish will only get more aggressive as the water continues to cool. Check back often for updates.
Till Next Time,,, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
RIVER ANGLING PICKING UP!!!
Greetings All:
Well, as we move along through the month of September, the subtle touches of the coming Fall have been teasing us. Some nice cool nights have been evident and it won't be long before the cooler weather starts hitting the area on a more regular basis. Even with the few cool weather days and nights recently, signs are showing that a good river bite is in the offering for the coming season.
On the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Rock Rivers, fishing has been on the upswing. A great catfish bite continues along with many nice bass being taken by anglers. Panfish are starting to improve with some nice crappie showing up near structure areas on minnows. Bluegill action fair to good along weed edges and also on main river areas with light current and structure close to shore. For you walleye and sauger anglers, some nice fish showing up this last week trolling crawlers near wingdams on a 3-way rig. Some good action early and again late casting rocky shorelines with both jigs and also crank baits. Look for the bite to greatly improve as water temps start to go down.
One last fish I want to mention is the Stripers. Fall Striper action is starting and will continue through the month of October if the weather holds. What a time to get out and do battle with these huge Stripers that have been getting fat all summer long.
Before long, Fall will officially be here and I am predicting a banner season of fishing on our bigger Midwest Rivers. So with that said, hopefully you can make some plans to get out and enjoy the great fishing ahead.
Till Next Time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Well, as we move along through the month of September, the subtle touches of the coming Fall have been teasing us. Some nice cool nights have been evident and it won't be long before the cooler weather starts hitting the area on a more regular basis. Even with the few cool weather days and nights recently, signs are showing that a good river bite is in the offering for the coming season.
On the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Rock Rivers, fishing has been on the upswing. A great catfish bite continues along with many nice bass being taken by anglers. Panfish are starting to improve with some nice crappie showing up near structure areas on minnows. Bluegill action fair to good along weed edges and also on main river areas with light current and structure close to shore. For you walleye and sauger anglers, some nice fish showing up this last week trolling crawlers near wingdams on a 3-way rig. Some good action early and again late casting rocky shorelines with both jigs and also crank baits. Look for the bite to greatly improve as water temps start to go down.
One last fish I want to mention is the Stripers. Fall Striper action is starting and will continue through the month of October if the weather holds. What a time to get out and do battle with these huge Stripers that have been getting fat all summer long.
Before long, Fall will officially be here and I am predicting a banner season of fishing on our bigger Midwest Rivers. So with that said, hopefully you can make some plans to get out and enjoy the great fishing ahead.
Till Next Time, Take Care and I'll See You On The Water.
Regards: Lastcast Mike Cyze lastcast13@yahoo.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)