I made it out thursday the first time out since the River Rat tourney. It was slow going. I talked with and we fished near one another, an old river rat who was completely suprised how terrible the bite has been lately. I managed 2 keeper sauger and a couple toss backs, a nice white bass, and the ever famous sheepie. The fish came from 16-20 FOW live bait rigging fat heads, and rattle jigs. I wonder if the fish wont be more interested in ringies or paddle tails rite now???
I have been talking with a couple of the PWT "Pro's" from out of state at the landings the last few days and they have not been getting fish at all both on the Mississippi or the Croix. If you are a local and you have a knowledge of the river the "Pro's" are more than eager to let you go out in thier boat with them pre-fishing. I have had to turn down 2 offers so far which is kind of a bummer cause I would love to get out in one of those $50,000 boats with all of the top of the line electronics and gear that just sounds like fun to me. I think I maybe hanging out at the landing Monday morning to offer my local knowledge one last time as the PWT fisherman are to be off the water tuesday.
you did better than I did and also better than the 7 or 8 PWT guys I fished around today. I chatted with a couple of guys in a Team Crestliner boat this morning. SLOW!
I didn't see a single fish caught today in the main channel or anywhere for that matter. Spent some time down by Catfish Bar today also. surface temp of 54 to 56 degrees depending on location
I have to imagine there is going to be a wild dash for Pool 3 when this thing starts. The guys that put in the time on the wing dams should be on some fish!
What do you guys thinks it will take a day to stay on top of the PWT. I would think 25#s a day. The fish havent seemed to put on there complete winter weight yet. If that was the case I would say 30#s.
Quote: What do you guys thinks it will take a day to stay on top of the PWT. I would think 25#s a day. The fish havent seemed to put on there complete winter weight yet. If that was the case I would say 30#s.
I think daily wieghts are going to be coming in at 12-20 pounds. It has been tough for them guys, just because they are pro's dont mean the BIG fish just jump in thier boats they are struggling to get fish just like everyone else.
As far as the whole pool 3 theory Rich, alot of them PWT guys have never fished P3 or the Croix. One PWT pro asked me were I thought the bigger fish would be, on the Croix or P3 , I had to tell him it was a no brainer P3. Today from Hastings (hwy 61) to Hudson (on 35 N) I seen guys fishing in spots I've never seen anyone fish in my lifetime.
The results are going to be interesting and worth seeing for sure.
I agree. I was out for 5 hours this morning pitchin to dams and rip....we got 1 short on our first cast when it was still dark...and then nothing except for smallmouth which were insatiable. a lot of guys were scratchin their heads...as was I. a couple boats pulled up to ask how i was doin....i woulda liked to take a ride in one of those floating computers!! those are some seriously sweet boats.
These guys are pros and Im sure more than one of them has pitched a wingdam before. Im sticking with 25#s and am going to predict it will be won wingdam fishing pool 3. There are some big fish on those dams. Talked to a couple of guys on pool 2 today that had 2 fish that would of went close to 20#s. Thats nice fish.
2 fish that equals 20 pounds that is nice fish. Like I said the results will be interesting. We wont know anything until after the wiegh in on Wednesday. I will keep you posted on the daily wieghts unless someone beats me to it
If it is anything like the salmon tournaments I go to on lake michigan than where the boats are prefishing is where they "think" the fish might be and not actually where they are. Whenever we find a pattern or "hot spot" we pull off it right away to not give other boats an idea of where we are getting them at and try to find other backup spots.
I also hope the crowds aren't too big, when ever something is going on down town people always like to park me in in my driveway
So, thats what all that commotion is? We managed 4 in the low to mid 20"'s on friday. Talked to a couple of the guys out and they seemed to imply we were doing a lot better than most of them. Tough day on friday though, ton of wind and yea a lot of boats out there. Gonna be fun to see what the big bag is. There are a lot of fish in the upper 20"s that I'm sure will be caught On the Mighty Miss, that is
This is the only weekend that I'm not off hunting somewhere and was hoping to do some fishing, but now it sounds like the river may be a little busy. I also really like living close to downtown but if anyone parks close to my driveway I can't get out, the streets are too narrow for my crew cab and an almost 20' boat behind it to make the corner:( If I get parked in I can just walk down and see what's going on, the price I have to pay to be close to the river:)
Quote: 80 some boats spread out from Hudson to Red Wing dam won't make the river feel crowded. There will be plenty of space.
Might be fun to see how the pros attack it!
ET
Just think how many boats(pleasure also) are on the river in the summer , just the Croix!!!! These guys will be spread from Lock and dam #2 to Lock and dam #3 And up the Croix to the Arcola sandbar. That is ALOT of water to cover for 80 boats. Unless they are all fishing in one group you will hardly notice they are there.
Saturday is going to be the final day with only the top 50 of the year fishing for the title.
I can handle the crowds on the river, but will I be able to find a parking spot at the boat launch. Are they going to keep the city resident lots open or will they fill those up as well?
I called the parks department and the launch will be open to the public this weekend They are doing off site parking for the PWT guys at econo and area churches. Now I just need to talk my neighbor into going along, (he has the musky gear) it's always more fun with another in the boat.
Fishing the Croix
There are some big fish on those dams. Talked to a couple of guys on pool 2 today that had 2 fish that would of went close to 20#s. Thats nice fish.
They are doing off site parking for the PWT guys at econo and area churches. Now I just need to talk my neighbor into going along, (he has the musky gear) it's always more fun with another in the boat.
