Hey Jeff….GREAT site. I love ice fishing but Spring walleye fishing is still the best, even for us shore fishermen. Can’t wait to get to Fort and get set up in my little piece of the world. Make sure you let us know about ice out and keep us informed on the water level. Last Fall it was way to LOW…Once again, great job, and I look forward to more of your advice and river wisdom…Dave
Hi Dave, and welcome aboard. I’m glad you found your way over. New and exciting things right around the corner. Have fun on this site. If you need any help don’t be afraid to ask. There’s no secrets on this site. 
BOLA
Best Outfitter Last Angler 
Fin-tech Tackle Pro Staff 
M W Marine Pro Staff 
EFN Field Staff 
H20, here they come.
Hey Jeff, et all, I made it! Thanks for the directions. I hope to finally meet you soon on the river.
Hey Jeff, I found it with no problems, you gave great directions. Hope to see tales of monster walleye from the rock soon. 1fish2fish 
All Right Databoy and 1fish2fish you made it, WELCOME aboard. Have fun with this site, if you need anything I’m there for you guys BOLA
Best Outfitter last Angler
Fin-tech Tackle Pro Staff
M W Marine Pro Staff (Alumacraft Boats)
EFN Field Staff
Now that I made it aboard I was wondering how much line, rod, and jig brands really make a difference. Every time I go to buy line I end up with the old faithfuls like the Stren original colored line. I see you recommend 4# fireline, is there a difference or will I get similar results with my 6# Stren? Do you use ultra-light rods? Any other tips on equipment would be appreciated. It’s finally warming up and I’m getting excited for some open water again! Last year I bought a 9′ pontoon & trolling motor and thought the current would sweep me into the Kosh before I could row to shore but found it was perfect with the low water – though I learned my lesson and now go with 2 batteries. Lucky for me my dad lives down stream from the 106 bridge! Think warm!!!
Gregg
Hi Databoy, there is nothing wrong with Stren. There is a time and place for all lines. I only use four pound test line on all my walleye fishing for Spring, Summer and Fall. Now remember this is just what I do. These techquines work for me very well for the Rock River system. For this spring I will spool two of my reels with four pound flame/green fireline and med (fast) action rods 6′ for vertical jigging. Then I will also have two UL rods and one reel spooled with four # green stren and the other four # yellow stren. I need to see my line when I fish, I’m what you call a line watcher 
. That is why I use color lines in the Rock River. 
As far as jigs, well I think jigs make all the difference. In the last two years on the Rock River system I have proven that time after time. And if you come to the Madison Fishing Expo I will show you why. I like to use my UL rods in six foot of water or less. But most of my fishing is over six foot. But there is time when I like to play with my UL rods so I have them along at all times. For me it seems that I lose more fish when I use UL and mono lines like Stren 4#, because of the strecth in the line and the bend in the pole I don’t get a great hook set. For those anglers that can’t make the show I highly suggest to use the Nuckle ball or Zone-R jigs by Fin-tech Tackle Co. you can buy them on the EFN outlet store or go to http://www.fin-techco.com these jigs hold the bait up off the bottom. When vertical jigging which is a art for most anglers and does take practice. There is more to jigging than most anglers think. You must be able to slip the current with your trolling motor and keep the slack out of your line and keep the jig in contact with the bottom. Sound easy, yea right I still practice. Keeping your line vertical,,, say it,,, keeping your line vertical. 
BOLA
PS. Like I always say, YOU DRAGEM YOU SNAGEM
Best Outfitter Last Angler
Fin-tech Tackle Pro Staff
M W Marine Pro Staff (Alumacraft Boats)
EFN Field Staff
Jeff, thanks for the info. I guess I better go to the Expo though it cuts in on fishing time. I was also curious if you use those same jigging methods for ice fishing walleyes on Koshkonong or if you mostly rely on tipups. I tried and tried to figure out spring fishing last year on the Rock and didn’t even feel a bite! This year I want to be ready. I didn’t try live bait though, most guys I talked to said a jig and twister tail is what they were using so I didn’t bother with the live bait. See you at the Expo,
Gregg
I only use live bait, shiners or fathead minnows on a Zone-R or Nuckle Ball Jig. But this year I have learned new things on this site. I will be trying the ringworms from B-Fish-N Tackle Co. when the bite is really turn on. As far as ice fishing I only use tip-ups on the mighty Kosh.
I wish I was close enough to see the ice melt, bet you can almost hear it sizzling away yesterday and later today! Is it opening up yet?
I have 2 fishing boys so I can’t afford special rods/reels for all fishing situations to keep us all equipped properly. I usually set them up with medium action 6′ Ugly Stick rods and Zebco 33’s with 10 pound test. I always use a swivel snap so I can attach different jigs/lures w/ appropriate leaders to the snap to accomodate whatever I’m fishing for. Bola, do you think using a 3′ 4# test mono leader connected to the snaps would give me the same action as a reel with 4# test throughout for those finicky walleyes?
Hi Databoy, sounds like your on the right track. Four pound test line is prefect for you. As far as the kids, I also have my kids use uglysticks and zebco 33 and 10 lbs line and no leader. So keep doing what your doing. The thing is to keep your kids happy so they don’t want to go home so soon. 
As far as those zebco 33 there a great reel for kids. My son won the Bassmaster CastingKids Compettion this weekend at the Madison Fishing Expo with a Zebco33. He was in the 7-11 age group and got a score of 120 and the kid in the 11-14 age group scored 120, HMMMMM I guess you could say my son was HOT. BOLA
PS. What happened I missed you at the show? 
I’m sorry I missed you at the show but family obligations got in the way again. It sounds like you know what I’m talking about when it comes to kids and coordinating schedules and setting priorities. I guess I’ll have to meet you on the river someday soon. I’m sure I’ll have the only 9′ Pond Prowler pontoon boat on the river. What happen to our warm weather? It was looking so promising there for awhile. Hopefully the water temp is going up and it’s melting from the bottom up!
Databoy and all anglers the Madison Fishing Expo was a hit(awesome). Ran into tons of anglers that shared there info. The Fin-Tech booth sold tons of jigs. My secret jig for the Rock River is out. 
What was best of all at the Madison Fishing Expo was watching my 8 year old son competeing in the BassMaster CastingKids Competition, which he WON , I was so proud of him. See attachment. BOLA
Hi anglers, have not had much to talk about lately. So I thought I would try to get some chatter going. The Rock is still all iced up yet. They are fishing on the Wisconsin river up at the Dells. Should have some report by Monday, myself might be trying it on March 8th or 9th. Also can anybody tell me what jig is in the mouth of the walleye? see attachment. 
Best Outfitter Last Angler
Fin-Tech Tackle Pro Staff
M W Marine Pro Staff (Alumacraft Boats)
I’m glad to see a rock river forum on here ,we are at the other end where the rock empties into the mississippi, and your right ,great walleye fishing spring and fall(we can’t all live in red wing)LOL
Hey Jeff,
Is that a knuckleball jig?
Hi Rooster, good guess, but NO, it is part of the family and made by Fin-Tech. I know it’s hard to tell in the picture. Rooster it’s close enough . It really is a Zone-R jig ….. BOLA
I bought some of the Knuckle ball and Zonar jigs last fall to try, but have not had a chance to use them yet. Great to see a photo of a beautiful fish that succumbed to one! I have mostly heavy ones, thought I would use them as weight on my 3-way rigs. Do you use them with live bait, plastic, or various methods? They should cut the current well too I believe!
Rooster
Ok Jeff, you convinced me. I placed my order for both Knuckle-ball and Zone-R jigs in both the glow/green and green/charteuse just for a little variety. I thought while I was at it I’d get some lighter ones too to see if they’ll work in the lakes I fish, hopefully the 1/4 oz. in the same colors will do the trick.
I also just read this by the River Rat http://www.fishwis.com/articles/Spring%20River%20Walleyes.pdf which states he uses a stinger hook w/ a #10-12 treble hook on 10# line. Do you use treble’s for your stinger hooks and make your own? I have only seen the preconfigured store bought ones with a single hook, guessing it was a #8 attached to about 2″ of line. Keep the tips coming!
Hi Rooster, the way that I use them is, I spool up my reel with four pound test flame/green fireline, tie on a 3/8oz glow/green Zone-R with a palomar knot, use a snap on stinger hook, I use the treble hook kind, two inch for fatheads and three inch for shinners. You snap on the stinger hook where you tie your line to the jig, it works great. ask denny4j he also uses the Zone-R. You can get those stinger hooks at Gander Mountain or Farm and Fleet or Fleet farm and Wal-mart I think. BOLA
Hi Databoy, yes I use stinger hooks, the treble hook kind. I’m sure the single would work great, give them a try. by the way nice article by the rat.
Any depth charts on ramps with parking available on the Rock river from Jefferson down to the Interstate? Never launched and fished in that stretch of the river. Can it handle 17-19 ft. large hp boats. I have always heard it is very swallow.
Two good spots, one on the north side of Fort Atkinson and one down town Fort both are free. As for depth chartes I see none but if the water don’t come with a good thaw and lots of rain it will be tuff with a big boat. Just have to keep the motor up.
All right We Fish nine more post to go and your no longer a newbie. Thanks for a great time Saturday . Back to you D Man, Welcome aboard . The river is still all iced up yet. Went up by Jefferson Dam and there is a little water open but nothing to get excited about. I would say the best place for you to launch your boat is down by the mouth of the river at Riverfront Resort on Blackhawk Island $3.00 fee there phone number is (920) 563-2757 before you make the long run up call ahead for conditions. That is your best bet for the low water this year. Now if the water comes up a couple of feet, the launch on the north end of Fort Atkinson by K-Mart works great no fee, parking for 25 rigs. The downtown launch by main street bridge is free also and will hold up to 25 rigs as far as fish being slow, your getting the wrong information. Just don’t think that you can come up to the Rock River and go home with a limit of walleyes, maybe if your a Pro you can,, but most of us are not Pro’s. You need to learn this river just like any other body of water. Once you learn it you will not go hungry. Most times you have to earn the respect of a body of water before you catch fish. BOLA
Best Outfitter Last Angler
Fin-Tech Tackle Pro Staff
M W Marine Pro Staff (Alumacraft Boats)
EFN Field Staff
i hope this warm weather coming opens up the rock. can’t wait to try the old hot spots. anybody else have the major itch to get on the rock?
I got the fever so bad I’m starting to have nighmares. Mike I have a bad feeling about the Rock this year. I think it will be April before we see open water . I will let everyone know as soon as it opens. I check everyday and it’s driving me crazy .
Jeff
Thanks for the info on the Rock, I have always wanted to fish it but only drive over it on the way North. I didn’t mean to imply the Rock is slow I hear good reports on the river and the lake. I can only hope to get limits of eaters. Going to try Pool 4 first this Spring then the Rock.
See ya on the water
That is correct, one spring I had my best fishing in May because of a late spawn. Water Temp is the key. They will run up river at any time now ice off or not, but we all know as anglers that the water temp has to be right for those females to spawn. The key to the rock river on a late ice out is don’t spend to much time at the mouth of the river. That is where most of the anglers will start as soon as the ice is out and lots of the fish have all ready moved up river. Not all the fish but lots of them. the first place I will start fishing when ice is out is 106 bridge then up by Jefferson on that bend. The bend going up river to Jefferson. It will be the bend in the river before main street bridge.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
