Pool 4 report from last week

This was my 60th trip to the Pool since my first guide trip with James Holst in 2000. All conditions considered probably my 2nd worst trip, period…but no matter what pundits say…we cannot control the weather Water clarity was very poor…Rollers wide open…water temps dropped to 39 by Wed afternoon…incessant wind much of the time.
Good news! We caught lots of 13-14+ male walleye. That tells me the main spawn is yet to arrive. My partner lar and I managed 9 keeper eyes & Sauger in four days…2 Sauger 22″ & 22.5″ C/R to breed. Best techniques for us…casting to shoreline breaks…Best baits…Oystershell Paddletail and Purple Hairjig, plain no minnow. The upcoming week should be really good…

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a few pics…

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This has been my worst spring period. Trying a lot of new stuff but even old standby not working very well. Pretty cool you have made that may trips. Makes me feel bad I live so close and don’t take advantage of the great fishing.

Fat Bottom Girls are starting to show up…not dropping eggs yet but some males are starting to milt.
29.5″ 04/02/2021

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Sorry I didn’t get to see you Tommy!

She looks heavy!

Brian Klawitter wrote:

Sorry I didn’t get to see you Tommy!

Guessing he’s not

Jesse Krook wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Brian Klawitter wrote:</div>
Sorry I didn’t get to see you Tommy!

Guessing he’s not

I hope you’re cut off on every trolling run you have for the next 5 years.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

I hope you’re cut off on every trolling run you have for the next 5 years.

By a retired Catfish guy in a Carver?

>Best baits…Oystershell Paddletail and Purple Hairjig, plain no minnow.

Any input to explain what the hair jigs are mimicking? Seems to be very popular this year, puzzled by the no meat requirement, so must be some bottom dwelling larva: mayfly?
Only work in spring?

WINorthoutdoors wrote:

April

The jigs I tie I learned from a great Pool 4 guide, Dustin Stewart. They mimic
the early migration of Pin shad etc…I’ve never used minnows on P4…they just kill the action of the hair jig for me…1st trip was with James Holst 20 years ago. I use Hair, plastics, and an occasional blade (if I’m desperate )…Love to just cast jigs…Hair jigs work all year.

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Brian Klawitter wrote:

Sorry I didn’t get to see you Tommy!

I missed you too…and my yearly Polish beer

I’m pretty sure hair jigs mimic a minnow when whet they are actually submerged. Streamlined and “fluid,” they pulsate and wave with the tiniest movement. I could see white or silvery blue/green hair closely resembling an emerald shiner. I’m sure it’s similar on p4, but they are one of the most common(not to mention a delicacy) fishy treats here in p2, along with gizzard shad. Everything from walleyes and smallies to rough fish won’t turn them down. In fact I call them “crappie candy.” Love putting a fresh caught emerald under a slip bobber with a plain hook through the dorsal in eddies where crappies are hanging out. I have also caught a few spot tail shiners mixed in with them when netting for bait. I assume Tom’s nickname “pinshad” is referring to emerald shiners, as they migrate upstream in heavy concentrations every spring and fall. Especially fall as the water starts really cooling down.

Emerald shiner

https://tnacifin.com/sites/default/files/notropis_atherinoides_emerald_shiner_0.jpg