I have only fished on the Missouri river a couple times. Friday we were trying to pitch jigs at some wing dams and had no success feeling the bottom. A couple times I got snagged but I think it was a log or something wood. I was pitching 5/16 and 3/8 oz jigs with hair and non-aggressive plastic, with 6 pound line. The river on the inside bends was moving 3.25 mph land speed and on the outside it was moving 4.75 mph land speed. My question is, are these water speeds typical of what you usually see on the Mississippi? Do I need to try 7/16 or 1/2 oz jigs? Puzzled
-------------------- $1 IN GOD WE TRUST $1 Richard
Last week when Jason Halfen and I fished pool 4 for walleyes we found all of our fish in areas with a current speed of 0.9 - 1.3 mph. I wouldn't even try to find a walleye on the Mississippi River in areas with as much current as you're dealing with out there. But I've been told the habitat on the MO is far different than what is found on the Miss in regards to the absence of backwater habitat and current velocity.
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
Not necessarily. An exposed wingie should create one heck of a current seam on the front side too. I'd focus on the inner portions of the dams and work my way out until I could no longer fish a 3/8 - 1/2 jig or rig. But then that's my Miss experience talking. Then I woould look to the back side. You're going to have a nice current break some place on these exposed dams.
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
We got just the opposite problem here. If pool 2 gets any slower it will be declared a lake. We're out there looking for current like narrower stretches with obstructions.
In an area with a lot of exposed wingdams I would focus my efforts on the current seams in-between these wing dams. Those should be your money spots .
With current flow that high there will be clam beds, wood piles and structure like this in-between those dams. Anchor in the faster water and cast in to the slow water working your jig or rig back to the boat.
Water flow speed
Puzzled 
Re: Water flow speed
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