It's been awhile since my last report back in the fall of 2007, so I cannot think of a better way to kick things off for me in 2008 than hitting the river with a good buddy and a few hours to burn in search for some big river walleyes. James Holst and I took the water yesterday afternoon in my jon boat in search for some big pre-spawn river walleyes. I have not been on the water for nearly 2 weeks and I had a hunch it was time for this bite to be in full swing.
Another 9#+ fish!
This is the time of year in which big female river walleyes start their annual migration pre-spawn run up major river systems in search for favorable spawning haunts. This is also the time where the bigger females have a big appetite and typically the biggest fish of the year are caught by savvy anglers. Typically walleyes in this migration mode often find staging areas where they will stay put for a couple or a couple weeks depending on the surroundings it offers. These areas often include neck down areas of the river with slow tapering points or shorelines with deeper water in the vicinity. A simple jig/minnow combination is a very effective way to pinpoint locations, but one that can be just as deadly and might speed up that learning curve is pitching plastics to these fish and covering water. BFT's Precision jig heads and Ringworms can be one of the best arsenals to have rigged up this time of year that I have had the pleasure to fish with over the years!
BFT's Pro Blue ringworm got the nod!
James and I pulled up to one my old stand by pre-spawn holding areas and James immediately stuck 2 fish on back to back casts with one of the fish being a giant at 9-1/2#! What a way to start things off….We continued to work this area over thoroughly picking off a quick 4-5 fish and then a slight lull and again a small flurry of fish. This pace kept up for several hours during the midday span before slowly coming to a halt nearing sundown. By sundown James and I were able to boat nearly 30 walleye with 5 nice big walleyes over the 26" mark.
Oyster shell color strong for the day!
With water levels fairly stable right now not yet on a rapid rise, current speeds are very subtle and walleyes have been found as shallow as 6 feet and as deep as 18 feet and everywhere in between. James and had our best results pitching the 10-14 foot areas adjacent to the deeper surrounding holes. Spring is officially here in my book and its been a long winter for this guy. Having a busy work schedule throughout the winter, the river welcomed me back in a warm fashion! See you on the water!
Nice to see you guys out there. I tried to copy what I saw going on; but my pitching is a little on the weak side. Fortunately the dragging bite is pretty good too.
Good report Steve! Looks like you guys had a great day on the water. It still amazes me that we have this unbelievable fishery just minutes out of downtown St. Paul!
-------------------- Brad "Grifter" Juaire
IDO Field Staff
Congrats BOYS! Now that is what I'm talking about!
Those are some awesome looking fish and pics. I love it when they stick the fins out like that. Kind of like a struttin' Turkey. Man, those girls are beautiful!
I have been itching to get out down there since it's my back yard, but Red Wing was hot. Now my motor on my river boat is in the the shop. Looks like I'll have to put the 6hp envinrude duck boat motor on the lund to get out. If you guys see a Lund Alaskan with a 6hp offer a pull Good report Steve.. I agree hide the back ground.. What happened to the jet boat??
James and DZ, I am going to Everts in April and I plan to put in an order with BfishN Tackle this weekend. If you both don't mind, can you give us your top 5 (or top 10) ringworm colors for Pools 2,3, and 4 for that time of year.
Does Dean carry every color at Everts? I may just pick these up there if he does. Thanks guys!
-------------------- Wade Kuehl - Jolly Ann Marine & Outdoors
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Quote: James and DZ, I am going to Everts in April and I plan to put in an order with BfishN Tackle this weekend. If you both don't mind, can you give us your top 5 (or top 10) ringworm colors for Pools 2,3, and 4 for that time of year.
Does Dean carry every color at Everts? I may just pick these up there if he does. Thanks guys!
Hmmm... everyone has their own confidence colors, but I will give it a shot at least from a P2 perspective.
James and DZ, I am going to Everts in April and I plan to put in an order with BfishN Tackle this weekend. If you both don't mind, can you give us your top 5 (or top 10) ringworm colors for Pools 2,3, and 4 for that time of year.
Does Dean carry every color at Everts? I may just pick these up there if he does. Thanks guys!
Yesterday 3 colors really stood out for us. Oystershell, Pro Blue and Firecracker Chartreuse Tail.
Oystershell worked the best middle of the day in both ringworms and paddletails. I believe two of our largest fish actually came on a oystershell paddletail. The only time firecracker chart. tail worked was when we had a peek of sun and once the clouds rolled back in that color went dead. But... when the sun was out I had a heck of a run of fish while the other two colors fell way off.
As evening approached Pro Blue dominated.
If I had to have a small selection of plastic colors I'd go with the following:
Oystershell, Pro Blue, Firecracker / Firecracker Chartreuse Tail, Chartreuse Pepper, Purple, Cotton Candy and Orange Core Chartreuse.
Mix in a few paddletails in those same colors, add a selection of Precision Heads in dark and bright colors with head weights in 1/8 - 5/16 and you'll have your bases covered.
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
I'll add one that has been a "go to" for me down there and that's the electric blue/pearl tail. These guys talk about confidence colors and that's a lot of it. when the purple or darker colors get the nod, don't be afraid to throw that one in there.
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and refinishing needs
Went draggin on pool 4 today and saw some good action on pro-blue ringworms. Fished with 3 other guys today, we never took time out of the day to look for them shallow water walleyes. The action was good enough on 15"-19" male and low 20" female walleye that we just stuck with the dragging bite . Found our fish in 13'-17' of water.
Atleast a dozen boats there all day today. Stuck it out with purple/chartruse tail and the same with a white tail today. Saw fish caught by everyone. Plenty of fish also.
Quote: Atleast a dozen boats there all day today. Stuck it out with purple/chartruse tail and the same with a white tail today. Saw fish caught by everyone. Plenty of fish also.
Did the big fish cooperate today for you Mike?
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
Yesterday they wanted black heads to go with the dark or natural colored plastics. I tried orange, chartreuse and blue and never had a hit.
On pool 4 I see a definite advantage when fishing colored heads as the water clarity starts to fall off. An orange chartreuse jighead and a chartreuse pepper ringworm has put a ton of fish in the boat for me when the water clarity goes to heck.
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
Thanks for the info. I just now posted the same ? in the walleye forum before i seen your answer was up already . Because after thinking about it I wasnt sure if it was rude for me to kind of get off track on someones report or not. Anyway very nice fish!!!!!
Quote: Do you guys notice much of a difference up there in the painted heads compared to non painted?
Black heads worked today also. Well as black as I could get them with a marker. My stock of black was a little low today. Orange heads seem to be a good color as it rolls into may and june on pool 2.
Heres a couple from today. Purple/white or chartreuse tail ringworms work well today. I didnt even try any other colors. But from what I saw fish where coming in on many different presentations. Dragging up and down stream, vertical jigging, pitching jigs and even pulling stickbaits on 2 ways. I wouldn't say the fish where jumping in the boat but there was plenty of action on good sized fish to keep us happy. The photos are of a 10.5# and a 7.8#er. There where also lots of large saugers being caught today. Our biggest was 4.5#. Ill try to get a photo of that up tomorrow.
Quote: Looks like the weather has changed to 70% chance of snow tomorrow. Thinking of heading up tonight and fishing tomorrow and Saturday.
Anyone have a guess at how the drop in temp. and snow will affect the bite? Appreciate any input!
Mark, My guess this slight drop in temp will have little effect on this bite right now. Lots of fish are staging in key areas right now with one thing in mind...to eat. I would not change your plans unless you had the flexibility to put it off a couple days. Its always comfortable fishing in nicer weather, but in all honesty this bite will remain good for another 10-14 days or so.
Nice fish Guys! I hope the bite stays good for another 10 days since I can't get back down there till next week. Darn work is always getting in the way of my fishing.
Nice fish guys!!! Good to see things starting out great on the river here! Hope to see you guys back down there! Mike we ended up with a few fish after you guys left. But she shut down pretty good after dark.
As a former player and big basketball fan I can understand your feelings. But we are talking the opportunity to possibly catch dozens of fish and maybe even multiple 10+ lb fish. Its killing me that we are heading out of town for the weekend tonight. Go fishing!
Mississippi River Pool 2 fishing report 3-18-08
Re: Mississippi River Pool 2 fishing report 3-18-08
Great report Steve! 
Fortunately the dragging bite is pretty good too.
Get my self a picture with a couple of those beautiful girls 
Good report, guys!! 
Go fishing!