Pool 2 on 10/16

We tried Pool 2 last Sunday for a few hrs in the afternoon and fished up to dark. I wish I could give a glowing report but it was kind of tough for us as I am still trying to figure the river out. Although, everytime I fished in P2 I catch more fish each time (1st time out 1 fish, 2nd time out 3 fish, 3rd time out 5 fish)…Does this mean I will catch 10 my next time out?

We managed to catch 5 wall/sag. trolling flicker shads, pitching a jig/crawler, and one on a moxie. The biggest we caught was about 20″. We fished mostly wing dams and the ones we caught there were on the tips of deeper wing dams in 7-10 FOW. I recently installed a Lowerence 332 graph with a Lakemaster chip and it did make all of the difference in the world locating dams. I still have to figure out boat position and presentation. I have done alot of Steelhead river fishing so I am familar wih current seams, eddy’s, and various river currents.

One thing I would like to try are hair jigs next time we are out. Could anybody tell me the best place to buy them locally close to where I live (Western suburbs)? Also, what would be a good mix of sizes/colors?

Thanks,
KWP

You could order them here and have them in a couple of days. Dean’s Tackle Box

With the lower flow the 3/16 ounce should be pretty good right now.

dd

Dean,

What would be 3 top colors you could recommend?

Kelly Green, Patriot, Black or what ever Dean recommends.

Have been giving the hair jigs there fair time the last few weeks but still havent found a strong bite on them. It is the time of year for them. Then again when isnt the time of year for hair jigs?

One more question regarding crankbaits…I recently tried fireline casting/trolling crankbaits after using mono all my life for everything.

I sure like how they cast and troll with Fireline as I can feel everything and I am sure there is better action vs. mono. Although, I did have a couple fish come off after the strike while trolling because I think I tried to set the hook (out of instink) and pulled the hooks loose.

Do you guys think it is better using Fireline (braided line) or mono when trolling/casting cranks? I like to use a 7′ fast action Bass baitcaster for my rod. What are the pros/cons using Fireline for crankbaits?

Mike, maybe you could give me some advice.

Ensure your trolling rod has stiff enough tip to read the crankbait, yet soft enough backbone to help keep those fish hooked-up.

I typically run with my drag set fairly light as well – moving 2mph, it doesn’t take much to sink those hooks in. You can tighten the drag after the hookup while fighting the fish.

I like braid for trolling. Been running Power Pro for many years now. #15 to 20# usually. The smaller diameters allow the lures to run to deep on some of the shallow rocks I troll. The 15 to 20# also allows for getting a few more cranks back out of the snags.

You do want to have the right action rod for trolling cranks with either mono or braid. For mono you will want something with enough back bone to set those hooks. With braid and lack of stretch in the line the concerns are having enough give in the rod to allow the crankbaits to get sucked into the fishes mouth and having things to stiff that the hooks get popped out. There is some info about poles for trolling in the P2 post from last week. Another good resource is Dean.

Fighting a fish on braid you also need to pay attention to the limited stretch of the line especially when that fish gets near the boat. You end up learning the hard way that a quick diving fish at boat side can pop a hook real quick unless that drag is very loose. Keep those rod tips up high so they can quickly be lowered on a strong dive. Especially with crank baits try to see right away how well the fish is hooked. If the hooks are in good you can horse them a little . If not you may even want to back off on the drag a little more. A single rear hook in the check is not a well hooked fish and can easily pop out on a stiff line. The quicker you see this and play the fish accordingly the better your chances are or getting that fish in the boat. Also do not play those big fish on the surface when they are away from the boat or are not ready to be netted. Thats another good way to shake them hooks loose.

Think you will find most river guys run braid for trolling cranks. Some will tie a mono leader on the end. I think this is mostly to help with the sharp cutting zebra mussels in some parts of the river. Havent found anywhere on pool 2 that this is a concern yet. Once in a great while the walleyes get on a very light hitting bite on pool 2 that I think the extra give in mono may help with letting them suck those lures in better but not enough for me to rig any trolling rods with mono for them.

Thanks for the tips Pete and Mike…I think I have 14lb Fireline spooled thinking this would be strong enough. Good points about being careful playing fish and having the correct rod. I know I lost a few last weekend because I tried to “set the hook” while trolling 2 to 2.5 mph.

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Kelly Green, Patriot, Black or what ever Dean recommends.

Have been giving the hair jigs there fair time the last few weeks but still havent found a strong bite on them. It is the time of year for them. Then again when isnt the time of year for hair jigs?

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Very True! I like the Tourney series the best, caught some very nice fish on them in 4 different rivr systems this year

I just ordered some plastics from Dean. He recommended white, kelly green and firetiger for hair jig colors.

Dan

Not sure if I have seen any other good sources of hair jigs in the metro lately other than Dean. You can get bass jigs but they will cost you plenty. Flu Flu’s are another option but I would question how they would stand up to the beating the wingdams and walleyes would give them.

This weekend is shaping up nicely to practice the pitching with plastics or hair. The winds will finally flatten out a bit and we’ll get a little warm-up for the weekend which might trigger a big fish run. I’ll be down there!

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Does this mean I will catch 10 my next time out?

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Only if you forget your landing net in the garage!

-J.

Maybe I’ll see you. Likey though I am making a meat run or two this weekend down stream from there. Need some filets.

Have had a change of plans myself…making a meat run to the pond with some river rats instead.

JP

Got to go fish Mille lacs every once in a while to mix things up. Sometimes those lake fish clobber baits too.

dd

They taste better than a pool 2 walleye to.

I would not know how a pool 2 walleye tastes Mike…. How do you know how they taste? Something you want to get off your chest?

dd

Quit stirring the fish pot Joel.

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I would not know how a pool 2 walleye tastes Mike…. How do you know how they taste? Something you want to get off your chest?

dd

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Pool 2 eyes taste like bald eagle.

Got out last night for a few hours….bite was slow only managed two eyes, one pitching and the other trolling. Sheephead were on fire!!!

Gary was out in the aluma-rocket. Sounded like similar results.