Aprils Fool Joke on the Rock River

Went out this morning to get a start on the circus out there given that there has been a lot of action. Well I should have known better than to go out on April Fools. With the cold front that came through I knew fishing would be a challenge. I got out about at 500 and there were already five boats fishing in the dark. I launched and then three more showed up right behind me.

Figured since everyone was doing the same thing, drifting the holes with jigs and minnows I figured I would try to be different with my presentation. So I headed to the shallow break with jig and minnow and crawler on dead stick while I cast a river rig with shallow rapala with a slow pumping retrieve to stay out of snags. Got a couple of hits on the rapala but no takers.

Not hits on the dead sticks. Fished the holes, breaks, shallow, and wood from Blackhawk to the Bark river at Fort. Snagged a couple carp.

To make a long story short I saw only three fish caught the whole day (5 am to 11 am) I got a 12 incher. One boat must have got a legal as the overflow for the livewell was flowing.

The few I saw caught were milking. Also just for note the water temp was 48 everywhere I went. I even drove out on Kosh for a bit to check. 48 out there. Maybe I should get the board rods ready?

Isn’t that a little warm this early?

Oh well. Jeff you did not miss anything. Did notice more hook setting as the day went on but a lot of whiffs even with stingers.

I am going take a nap. Been up since 3 am.

How did you do Data boy.

Derek

48 degrees…wow. Tuesday it was 42 at Blackhawk and 40 on Lake. I chose to venture out far far from there today. I only saw two kayakers and caught 14 walleyes, all under 14 inches and on jig and minnow. Fished from Crosby Bridge to Beloit on Rock. Water temps down here are 45 degrees and water is rising…no idea where the higher water is coming from!

I should have been catfishing since I saw more of them caught than walleye. I used to bring one cat rod to hang over the side but as I have too much crap in my boat already. (Don’t let my wife hear that )

We got pounded last night with rain. The guage on the deck had two inches before work this morning. I imagine that the Rock will see some more high water this year.

I guess this is more high water for your fishing spots CK.

Good fishing all.

Derek

I didn’t have a chance to get the boat wet over the weekend. I did make it out Sunday afternoon and fished from shore for a half hour. 1 buffalo carp early about 24″, changed spots and hooked up about a 3′ musky.

Hey, you guys..the big females are GOING. Its a nite bite! Shallow water. NOT on the bottom! Over the next week to 10 days you can catch ’em suspended about halfway down on cranks with a steady retrieve. Fish the FISH not the fishermen! Don’t mean to sound pompous or arrogant…but you’ll do a lot better if you quick rubbernecking for what’s going on in the other boats and just fish the fish.
The walleyes don’t read IDA. They don’t read the stuff i write in the paper and magazines. They are fish just being fish.
NOBODY out there is better than you are. Just fish the fish. Fish the fish. fish the fish…

Well said Ted.

Thanks for the info Ted but that is what my plan at that time was for the day. Get to the water still at night (OK didn’t quite make the launch time I wanted ). Do things different AWAY from the crowds, apply what I have learned from Jeff and Ed and what I have learned from this time of the year.

I am no expert on the Rock per say but there are some things that only make sense to try and do. That is what my goal is this year. Don’t necessarily be a follower of the pack, be confident, keep moving and working till you find the conditions that works (for you ) (Thanks Ed and Jeff). The crowds can lead you astray.

Many people this time of year look for easy numbers of fish. I have learned that it is nice to get numbers but one quality fish can make a day of frustration into a great day (that is for Jeff).

I am still learning a lot on the Rock from all you great teachers . And nothing beats experience on the river as a teacher.

By the way, the only rubbernecking that was done was as I putzed my boat through the 100 boat flotillas at each deep hole.

Fish the Fish – Exactly.

I may not have caught fish that I was targeting but I learned A LOT this past Saturday.