june pool 2 patterns?

Been out three times now in the last week and I’ve really struggled. Managed one or two fish per trip. Most of my pool 2 experience has been later in the summer and fall so I’m struggling to find fish and productive patterns. Found a spot today that was loaded with fish on the graph, in a series of WDs with varying flow and multiple current breaks and back flows, but couldn’t get bit. Tried just about everything I could think of. Vert jigging, casting jigs, cranks trolled and casted, three-ways with cranks and bait, blades, dragging jigs. Should be able to get out a few more times in the upcoming week so I’ll keeping trying hoping I stumble on something good.

It’s been a tough couple weeks for me too. I still think the flow might be a tad high for good wingdam fishing. I also know my favorite trolling run was tough to fish because of junk still in the river.

By the way, I think we met at the P2 landing tonight.

I was looking at some old posts and when I found some pics you put I was thinking the same thing. Nice to meet you.

All I can say is backwaters, with the river still a little high and the flow still up there’s loads of bait fish in the backwaters and everything is following those baitfish. Buddies and me have done good over the last couple weeks fishing with live bait on the bottom (4-6″ bullheads). Fishing shallow 3-6 feet of water.

Tight Lines!
Kevin

Kevin is correct.. When the flow comes up like it has this year those fish will move tight to shorelines and into the backwaters. Wingdams are not the place to look right now. You will be very surprised how shallow and close to the banks the fish will be right now. Beyond live bait I have been doing pretty good fishing big plastics and casting crank baits. Hair jigs are always good right now as well. 3-8 feet of water here also. Lots of fish have come within 5 feet of the shoreline.

Turn your graph off and watch the surface water.. Look for seams and shorelines near deep water that have some relief from the current. Current seams and pushes are what you are looking for.

The backwater will have slower water to work with and in the right areas the fish will just be spread out in those backwaters.. this is where crank baits work best for searching. Jigs and live bait will get more fish once you find them.

Made it out for a few hours late afternoon yesterday.Caught some fish trolling stikbaits shallow just the same as in the spring.The current compared to early spring makes it tough to believe I was fishing some of the same spots I had last fished In April.

Was out Fri night….caught quite a few…some nicer fish in the mid-20’s mixed in. The advice on back-waters is spot on. All fish we caught were in the 4-6′ range, jig/crawler. I think there are big fish to be caught in stronger current though, try eddy backflows and shoreline breaks out there. good luck, JP

Went out this evening and tried some new spots, including a backwater area, and did well. Thanks for the advice. Pike were on the chew!! Caught a 32″ followed by a 40″ a couple minutes later. Also caught a nice 19″ walleye and some drum. Great outing for a new spot. I must also mention it was a blast exploring new backwater spots “off the map” so to speak. Should make it out at least once more before the end of the week and I can’t wait.

Good to hear, a 40″ pike is awesome… I hear of a few big pike every year and have to say I am jealous. I have not caught a over 40 yet but hope that day comes. Good luck when you do get back out

40″ is really exceptional for Pool 2, especially. Nice job. I’d love to see a pic!

40″ is a NICE one! They are out there!

I know this will put a major dent in my credibility of the 40″, but I didn’t get a pic. I was holding it near the gunnel of my boat and unhooking it. It made a big kick, I didn’t have that great a grip on it, landed on the gunnel, flopped out. I still had it hooked at that point and tried to hand-line it back into the net since my line was wrapped around last guide a couple times. Almost had it back then it took a run away from the boat my line snapped. So 40″ isn’t exact, my friend with me at the time and I agreed that 40 was a good estimate that wouldn’t be over. We were very disappointed to not get a pic or measurement.

Close enough for me! Love those big pike!