live bait

What is the best way to present live bait on the wing dams?

sweep it through the trough in front of the dam

BfishN H2O jig and about 2″s of night crawler. Thread the crawler up the shank and poke the bait keep out the side of the crawler. This will hold it on very well. You can pitch this just like any other jig. At times you may want to slow this down a bit and crawl it across the rocks. To really slow this presentation down maybe switch over to a draggin jig.

Somedays the fish will smack a crawler just like a plastic or hair jig. Others its just a light pick up or bump. When biting light I usually drop the rod tip to feed them a bit. If they smack the jig I set the hook.

For Willowcats I use a dork rig.

FDR

A jig is your best option but I have had good luck with 3way rigs also. This is not for pitching but you can get on the trolling motor and slowly work the front and tips of those dams. 8 inch drop and 20-24 inch lead. Steep and sticky dams you want a shorter line to the hook. I like a heavy mono for the lead line. 14-20lb test. The heavier line will keep from twist issues. Lift and drop that weight to keep it close/on bottom but not hang up. 3/4 oz weight is most common for me but you can go up or down in weight if needed.. Simple but works well. Same system works for any live bait.

Dubuque rig with a 1/2-1oz dropper jig w/plastic depending on the current

riverking wrote:

Dubuque rig with a 1/2-1oz dropper jig w/plastic depending on the current

Be sure to know the regulations for the water you are fishing.

I will do all of the above. I like a regular live bait rig and a half crawler or leach as well. Willow cats get a modified live bait rig with a bigger hook and a bead.

Steelheaders have used a “slinky rig” for decades fishing for steelhead in rivers along the Great Lakes. The concept is that the longer leader gives a more natural presentation in moving water and the slinky, which is basically split shots in a boot lace, is much less prone to snags.

I haven’t tried this on wingdams but I plan to this Summer. For leader length I think I would go 3′ to 4′.

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When using some form of the traditional live bait rig does the hook often snag up? What size and type of hook do you use for a worm or leech?

I use a 2 for crawlers and leaches. About an 18 to 24″ lead should work. You want to keep your rod tip high to help keep the sinker out of the rocks. I usually use about 1/8 oz up to 5/16. If I need more than that, I move on.

crawdaddy wrote:

When using some form of the traditional live bait rig does the hook often snag up? What size and type of hook do you use for a worm or leech?

you should not snag up the hook much. It will happen but usually in wood more than rocks. If you run a 3 foot lead or better it will happen a lot but keep it short. Mississippi river fish wont be afraid of that sinker or three way swivel.. I run a light line to the sinker (8-10 lb) and heavy to the hook (20 lb) mono. Main line 20 lb power pro.
I use the long shank mustads in #2-4 and run the bait up the hook shank to the knot. The knot helps hold the bait on. Half a crawler or whole leech.
Bullheads I use a 3/0 octopus hook.. Sometimes bigger if my bullies are on the big side. Hook them in the snout.

kwp wrote:

Steelheaders have used a “slinky rig” for decades fishing for steelhead in rivers along the Great Lakes. The concept is that the longer leader gives a more natural presentation in moving water and the slinky, which is basically split shots in a boot lace, is much less prone to snags.

I haven’t tried this on wingdams but I plan to this Summer. For leader length I think I would go 3′ to 4′.

Funny. I learned it from steelheading in Michigan. I have been using slinky sinkers for as long as I can remember on the Croix. I just tied one on 5 minutes ago and will be using them tonight. They snag less but they do still snag.

They get used down south for catfish while trolling or drifting. Think I’ll bring what I had back from NC, when I visit, to use up here.